Still Life with fruit

In view of the grim weather I decide to set up a still life today. This genre of photography gives the photographer more leeway in design elements within a composition. However, you make the picture rather than just take it. The prop I used here was a ceramic blue plate which provides a contrasting colour for the fruit and a base for the picture, which leads the eye beyond to the hint of raindrops on glass and a garden. 

I set up a table at the conservatory door. There was flat even lighting so the inside and outside exposures were balanced. Some old masters went to elaborate lengths to get the lighting right for their still life art - Caravaggio was sued by a landlady for cutting a hole in the ceiling of his  rooms to create his characteristic lighting! I haven't gone to such lengths - yet!