"Brick Study #1" by Harold Ross

When I teach students about creating a still life composition, I often say: "Build the foundation before you build the walls".

This simply means that when composing a still life in the studio, one should consider the larger elements first before worrying about pla...

Memento Mori - Vertabrae in Cloche

"Memento Mori - Vertebrae In Cloche" by Harold Ross

Years ago, my late Father-in-Law, Joseph Toglia, gave me these vertebrae.

As a Professor of Neurology, he used them while teaching his medical students. I decided to photograph them as a “set piece”, placing th...

There is a saying among creative people that suggests that if we simply “let go” and immerse ourselves in the act of creation, we will be rewarded. This saying is simply "Do The Work.” I have experienced this personally many many times!

My most recent image is a great example of this concept. As wi...

It's no secret that I love vintage tools, and I was so excited when Vera found this beautiful vintage tool belt a few weeks ago. I couldn't wait to shoot it!

It was a very complex image to light and edit… but, taken one piece at a time, it's really no more difficult than a simple image… There is ju...

I often get asked by students (or by attendees of a presentation that I'm giving) whether their shooting space is large enough. I typically recommend that a space of 4' x 5' or so is the minimum that you would need, and Light Painting a Still Life is completely do-able in that small space! That said...

I often hear people say that they would like to create beautiful Light Painted Still Life photographs but feel that the process is just too complex for them to succeed, or that it would take them years to master the process.

But I'll let you in on a little secret....

For the past 30+ years I have ...

I am now offering my own personal set of Photoshop Smoke Brushes.

Why Use Photoshop Smoke Brushes

I draw a lot of inspiration from classic paintings, especially the Dutch Master Painters who would often paint smoke above an extinguished candle, for instance.

Here is an example of where I have u...

My Grandfather’s Knife by Harold Ross

Why does Light Painting work?

Light Painting affords us the ability to reveal and enhance the depth, dimension, and detail of our subjects.

This can only happen if applying the light correctly, while making sure that we skim the light from the proper angle ...

Brass Block and Marble by Harold Ross

We are very excited to announce a great new update to our Light Painting Photoshop Plugin Panel, available to my Foundation Course Students. As you know, the panel not only speeds up the light painting workflow, but it also keeps us on track and organized. It...

Hello friends!

I have just released a new Light Painting The Still Life Advanced Video… This video is focused on the techniques that we must use when shooting a "Flatlay" image, or one where the camera is looking straight down onto the still life set. If you are interested in working in this way, a...