Check out these magnificent still life images in this month’s NPOTY
The search for the world’s best Nikon photographer of 2021 begins! Each issue the monthly N-photo POTY 2021 photo contest’s top 10 images are selected by the N-photo team. This issue’s competition has the theme of still life photography…
1. Past Their Prime BY CANDICE SCHEMPP
These flowers were a gift during a period of bereavement. Candice told us: “The colour as they dried was exquisite, and I wanted to capture this beauty in a unique way.” Unlike the withering roses, the resulting image is timeless. The camera has immortalized this stunning moment, while the traditional, painterly style of the composition will no doubt prove equally enduring.
Camera: Nikon D810
Lens: 85mm f/1.4
Exposure: 1/100 sec, f/5, ISO320
2. Bottles and Tulips BY RENZODID
This colourful still life uses the rule of odds to create a pleasing arrangement of five flowers and five vases. Four of the plants have had their heads removed, creating both interest and a strong narrative. The natural-looking lighting and soft shadows were created using window light on the left and fill flash on the right, while the painterly texture was added in post-production.
Camera: Nikon D750
Lens: 24-105mm f/4
Exposure: 0.8 sec, f/8, ISO100
3. Wine and Grapes BY ANGELA
Another classic still life photo that looks like a painting. We like the contrast between the red rose, grapes and plum, and the otherwise muted colour palette. The lighting has created a natural vignette and care has been taken not to cast unflattering reflections on the bottle. It would also appear a subtle texture has been added in post to create an attractive canvas-like aesthetic.
Camera: Nikon D7200
Lens: 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6
Exposure: 1/200 sec, f/6.3, ISO200
4. Green BY MUHAMMAD AL-QATAM
This attractive flat-lay was lit using a strobe and two flags either side to help control the light. The 50mm focal length and aperture of f/11 has produced a distortion-free image with front-to-back sharpness. We like the arrangement, but it’s the muted colour palette and gorgeous green details that really caught our eye. The result is a subtle in-camera colour popping effect. Camera: Nikon D850
Lens: 50mm f/1.4 Exposure: 1/60 sec, f/11, ISO64
5. Fritillaries and Vase BY KEN BUNCH
Can you believe this stunning shot was one of Ken’s first attempts at still life photography? The beautiful snake’s head fritillaries and vase were photographed in a bedroom using only natural window light. A rusty tray was then photographed and overlaid onto the image as a texture layer in Photoshop, which helped to produce the attractive sketch-like aesthetic. Camera: Nikon D90
Lens: 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 Exposure: 1/50 sec, f/4.5, ISO400
6. Confinados BY MONTSERRAT SUÁREZ GARCÍA
As the title suggests, this photograph depicts confinement. It was shot in a studio and we love how its compelling subject and clear narrative invites the viewer to mull over its meaning.
Camera: Nikon D610
Lens: 90mm f/2.8 Exposure: 1/125 sec, f/5.6, ISO200
7. Marionette BY STEVE JAMES
This incredibly creative still life image was just as challenging to create as it looks. White cotton was used as the puppet strings and light painting with a small torch produced the studio-style lighting.
Camera: Nikon D850
Lens: 45mm f/2.8 Exposure: 30 secs, f/20, ISO100
8. Impossible Paint BY PRATIK PARULEKAR
This might look like a digital drawing but it’s actually a photograph of a very cleverly designed and lit set that was then manipulated using editing software.
Camera: Nikon D810
Lens: 50mm f/1.4 Exposure: 1/125 sec, f/14, ISO80
9. Painted Purple BY MARKO
At a glance you’d be fooled into thinking this tastefully edited and subtly lit photograph was an oil painting. The spotlight on the background has produced an attractive gradient, and the shadows together with the glass in the foreground convey plenty of depth. The fallen flowerheads are a fine finishing touch that balance the composition. Camera: Nikon D7100
Lens: 17-50mm f/2.8 Exposure: 1/8 sec, f/11, ISO100
10. Brick by Brick BY MARTYN HAYES
A great deal of work went into this charming image. From the pine trees to the snow, the wintry set was constructed specifically for this photo. The snowfall was created by blowing flour through a straw and coloured card was used to represent the buildings. We particularly like the colour grading, which has produced a colour-film aesthetic. Camera: Nikon D90
Lens: 17-50mm f/2.8 Exposure: 1/60 sec, f/2.8, ISO200