My still life images are Composites, that is I compose and photograph the subject on a neutral background then create the background and modify the lighting effects using Photoshop and Adobe Camera Raw, to suit my tastes.  In most cases I'm going for something I call the "Dutch Masters" look; dark and contrasty.  I even have a video from a workshop, explaining my process.

If you open this in YouTube there is a "clickable" timeline in the description that you can use to jump to what interests you.  Otherwise, here is a timeline:

[ ] Intro presentation 0-30:20 -

  [ ] Image prep 30:20-40:00 -

    [ ] Focus stack 30:56-34:23 -

    [ ] Clean up/Content aware 34:24-35:07 -

    [ ] Content aware crop 35:07-37:15 -

    [ ] ACR straighten 37:15-39:30 -

[ ] Selections and backgrounds 40:00-1:10:08 -

  [ ] Select foreground 42:08-48:37 -

  [ ] Bring in background 48:37-51:00 -

  [ ] Create layer mask from saved selection 51:00-51:48 -

  [ ] Add additional elements to Background 51:48- -

    [ ] Group layers 52:35 -

    [ ] Blend modes 53:30 -

    [ ] Brush blending 53:53 -

    [ ] Blend in another layer 55:35 -

    [ ] Relight background 56:45 -

    [ ] Add a shadow 59:10 -

  [ ] ACR  finishing touches 1:01:35 -

    [ ] Stamp layer 1:01:50 -

  [ ] Dodge and burn 1:04:40 -

[ ] Special Effects 1:10:10- -

  [ ] Darken background using clipping mask 1:17:17 -

  [ ] Lighting effect 1:18:40 -

  [ ] Dodge and burn 1:22:01 -

  [ ] Final prep ACR 1:26:18 -

  [ ] Oil paint 1:29:10 -

  [ ] Texturizer: 1:31:58 -

  [ ] Final curves adjustment 1:33:20