One of the most important elements to be considered while taking a still life photo is the background. If you use the same backdrop for every story that you want to portray, it would look dull and boring and the final output would look monotonous. The different types of backgrounds act as the main element of contrast. The creases and the wrinkles add to the extra natural effect. Usually the photographers prefer using a black velvet cloth as it helps in absorbing the light. This helps them to get rid of unwanted reflections and bright spots in the picture. An innovative and varied arrangement of the objects would result in some interesting still-life layout. Juggle and play with your objects available for the composition, because even if you move a single item it would make a lot of difference in the appearance. Also, try experimenting by leaving your object alone and by moving the camera instead. You can notice the subtle differences on your computer screen by comparing the images clicked through different arrangements. The picture has to communicate with the viewer on a very elusive yet sensory level. It has to appeal to the different sensibilities of the viewer. Therefore the objects which are used in the picture need to be arranged in a certain fashion. The most important aspect of any type of photography is the light used and the way it is used. Still life photographers use the play of light and shadow effectively to convey the 'story' in the picture. They use natural light as far as possible, because, it gives a special glow and effect to the composition. Usually the setup is placed near a window or a light source. If it's an outdoor shoot, you can experiment with different shades that the nature offers, like the dawn color or the cloudy shade just before the rains. You can also play with the camera attributes by trying various exposures to achieve a different feel for each image. They often use a sheet of white paper on the side opposite to the light source to reflect some light into the shadowed areas.