Stills

Stills can refer to still images from film or video, or to equipment used in distillation. The term is the plural form of still in each context.

In film and photography, a still is a single image captured from a moving picture or a photograph taken on set for promotional and documentary purposes. Production stills are produced by a still photographer who designs lighting, framing, and composition to yield a high-quality image that can be used in press kits, posters, marketing materials, and archives. Stills are licensed separately from the final cut, and licensing may involve rights to actor likenesses, location use, and the image’s editorial or commercial purposes. Archives and stock agencies distribute stills to media outlets, researchers, and educators.

In distillation, a still is a vessel or apparatus used to separate components of a liquid by heating it to form vapor and then condensing the vapor. The two common modern forms are pot stills, used for traditional spirits with richer, heavier profiles, and column stills (fractionating stills), used for higher-purity products. Copper is traditional for flavor modification and anti-corrosion properties; modern stills may be stainless steel with copper components. Distillation stills vary in capacity and design, but all require safe operation to manage heat, pressure, and flammable vapors. In many jurisdictions, production of distilled beverages is regulated and requires permits and compliance with labeling and taxation rules.