Still life

Arranged objects, light, shadow, and differing surfaces create a quiet frame.

Visual traits

• arranged objects
• light and shadow
• surface texture

Expected changes

• Object arrangement is more likely to become central
• Light and shadow are more likely to reveal form and surface

Definition

Still life arranges inanimate objects such as vessels, fruit, flowers, or tools and makes their relations, form, light, and surfaces the subject. It does not determine a medium, era, region, product, or symbolic meaning.

In more detail

Object spacing, overlap, tabletop or backdrop, and light direction make an image of quiet observation. It is distinct from actions of living people or animals, expansive landscape, and advertising that displays a specific product.

Includes

• Images arranging vessels
• plants
• food
• or tools
• Frames centered on the relation of object form and light

Excludes

• Scenes centered on actions of people or animals
• Wide natural or urban views
• Images made to sell a specific product

What this does not imply

• A specific product
• brand
• era
• region
• or medium
• Actions of people or animals

Variability

Object count, backdrop, viewpoint, and light hardness can be adjusted separately.

Usage

• Keep the arrangement of inanimate objects as the subject
• Specify product names or symbolic meanings separately

Distinguish similar expressions

• Use portraiture or a scene treatment when a person or animal is central

Typical uses

• Depict an arrangement of objects such as vessels or plants
• Compare the appearance of light and surface texture

Possible failure modes

• Relations among objects become scattered
• Setting or people become more prominent than objects