Olena Hassell

Still Life and Product Photography: 5 Ways to Improve Composition and Style with Impact

Thank you for your feedback! This is so helpful. Some of these are things that I was thinking, but wasn't confident in my knowledge.

Dear Amanda, thank you so much for sharing your work. I adore all of your set-ups and your beautiful props. I like how you made your window be part of your composition and how you used the DOF to help your subject stand out and the round tray to tie the objects together. Few things I would suggest styling as a staring point: 1. Separate your subject from your background (try moving the vase and candle to the sides; 2. Think of teatime accessories that would go well here - ex. tea strainer, teapot, cookies, books; 3. I feel perhaps the single tall candle is too tall, is there a slightly shorter one - try lighting it, blow out and capture the smoke, maybe add another candle - the third element should be strong enough, but not overwhelming; 4. You might add some height with books?Hope this helps!Also, feel free to check out my other course (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener external nofollow" href="https://skl.sh/37SoZOR)">skl.sh/37SoZOR)</a> for more info on composition, lighting, editing and shooting angles. Best, Olena

<img style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;" src="https://static.skillshare.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,width=1000,format=auto/uploads/project/fb351bd3326789665857c98523dd4ca4/f4eb2be8.jpeg" alt="Project photos - image 1 - student project" srcset="https://static.skillshare.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,width=600,format=auto/uploads/project/fb351bd3326789665857c98523dd4ca4/f4eb2be8.jpeg 600w, https://static.skillshare.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,width=1000,format=auto/uploads/project/fb351bd3326789665857c98523dd4ca4/f4eb2be8.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 600px, 100vw" loading="lazy"><img style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;" src="https://static.skillshare.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,width=1000,format=auto/uploads/project/fb351bd3326789665857c98523dd4ca4/b4307efc.jpeg" alt="Project photos - image 2 - student project" srcset="https://static.skillshare.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,width=600,format=auto/uploads/project/fb351bd3326789665857c98523dd4ca4/b4307efc.jpeg 600w, https://static.skillshare.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,width=1000,format=auto/uploads/project/fb351bd3326789665857c98523dd4ca4/b4307efc.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 600px, 100vw" loading="lazy"><img style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;" src="https://static.skillshare.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,width=1000,format=auto/uploads/project/fb351bd3326789665857c98523dd4ca4/f5bfd4a3.jpeg" alt="Project photos - image 3 - student project" srcset="https://static.skillshare.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,width=600,format=auto/uploads/project/fb351bd3326789665857c98523dd4ca4/f5bfd4a3.jpeg 600w, https://static.skillshare.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,width=1000,format=auto/uploads/project/fb351bd3326789665857c98523dd4ca4/f5bfd4a3.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 600px, 100vw" loading="lazy">I tried the light and airy set-up, but feel like I&rsquo;m missing something in my photos. &nbsp;I tried to add in height but didn&rsquo;t have anything on hand. &nbsp;Should I try again with a vase of flowers? &nbsp;

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