Photographers have to blend two distinct and different characteristics…being an artist and being a technician. I believe that these two qualities are centered in different hemispheres of the brain so, are photographers left brain dominant or right? I would imagine that fine art photographers are more right brained but, what about commercial still life photographers?

Let’s consider the life of a commercial still life photograph. First, it starts with a client’s need…an ad, a website, a product than needs to be shown. Then more often than not, a really right brained art director has a vision of how to proceed. A stylist is called in to gather together and place the pieces to represent the art director’s and client’s vision (more right brain stuff.) Now the photographer comes in…choosing a lens, lighting, depth of field, and exposure – definitely more left brain that right.

I have always thought that my strength as a photographer was technical…I’m really good at that. That is why I surround myself with very creative stylists…they are my right brain. Together – we get it done!