How do you define "still-life"?

[photoguy6405]

I was discussing this with a friend the other day. He felt that "still-life" was basically inanimate objects only, nothing from nature.

I feel that "still-life" can include objects from nature, i.e. flowers, etc., provided that they have been removed from nature and artificially arranged for the photo.

Thoughts?

[The Ghost of FM]

To me, the answer is sort of in the name itself.

Still, meaning anything that doesn't move and life, any living or once alive organism.

Traditionally, most still life pictures predominantly used to be compositions of fruits or flowers...at least from what I have seen of them.

I guess inanimate object compositions could also be termed as still life type art but perhaps a better name is needed for those to differentiate? Conceptual art, perhaps? I'm not sure.

Cheers!

[gjl711]

I think the dictionary definition is just fine, a work of art depicting inanimate objects. Cut flowers and fruit would quality as they are no longer alive.