After nature

A photographed still life is never simply a shot “based on nature” or “as it is,” but almost always the result of deliberate design — even if it looks natural. But what makes a still life stand out? When does it appear as an observation of nature, when as a clear presentation? Inspired by early still life photographs of the 19th century, we transfer classic motifs with fruit, vegetables, flowers or other objects into the present reality of our urban life. Together with photographer Antje Peters, the participants take a look at different forms of still life photography — from seemingly natural arrangements to clearly recognizable staging.

Using selected examples, the course also provides insights into the history of still life photography. Technical perfection is not in the foreground: The process is decisive. The participants experiment with camera, daylight, artificial lighting and composition and explore how everyday objects can be arranged and staged as still lifes.

Antje Peters (*1979 in West Berlin) works as a visual artist using the medium of photography and as a commercial photographer. Her work was shown in the exhibition Optical Illusion — Contemporary Still Life at C/O Berlin (2017). In 2019, she taught the subject of “Applied Photography” at ECAL — University of Arts and Design in Lausanne. Her book project “Catalogue” was nominated for the Author Book Award at the Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie in Arles, France, in 2023. Peters has published her fashion and product photography in numerous international magazines (Numéro Berlin, ZEIT Magazine, Novembre and many more) and has also realized still-life campaigns for Rimowa, Birkenstock, Louis Vuitton, Farfetch, HUGO and Glossier.