Playful and Absurd Still Lifes by Molly Cranna

© Molly Cranna / Offset

© Molly Cranna / Offset

Los Angeles-based photographer Molly Cranna’s playful still lifes position themselves at the border of the seductive and the grotesque. Scouring dollar stores for eye-popping objects, Cranna pulls together compositions that are both elegant and absurd. She describes her aesthetic as hip with a twist of retro flare, incorporating strong graphic elements that imbue her work with an abiding and everlasting allure.

In contrast to what she sees in most contemporary still life work, Cranna injects her imagery with a distinctly feminine pulse, uniting her photographs under a cultivated style dominated by creamy pastels. Despite the delicacy of her palate, Cranna incorporates humorous and disarming details that lend the work a palpable and biting edge.

Drawn to the sterility of dental offices, she saturates her work with a similar coolness and exacting minimalism. Even with its delightful quirks, Cranna’s work is meticulous and controlled, showcasing the form and consistency of each object. She explains, “I want every pixel of an image to feel deliberate. Like a good firm handshake.”

© Molly Cranna / Offset

© Molly Cranna / Offset

© Molly Cranna / Offset

© Molly Cranna / Offset

© Molly Cranna / Offset

All photos featured in this post can be found on Offset, a new curated collection of high-end commercial and editorial photography and illustration from award-winning artists around the world. Offset is an exclusive category channel partner on Feature Shoot.

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