Seashells

[Round Tuit]

Small Seashells

These two photos are my first attempt at close-up photography. The first one was taken at ISO 100, f/20, 30 sec at a focal length of 116 mm with a +3 diopter close-up lens. The second one is a focus stack of four images taken at ISO 200, f/20, 2.0 sec at a focal length of 55mm. Both seashell are approximately 1 inch long.

#1


#2



I would appreciate C & C on these close-ups.

Andre

[Shadowman]

Good capture of the shells, be careful of the backgrounds, the specs are distracting.

[Wavelength]

Excellent images; really interesting

[Geoff F]

There are a couple of over exposure bright spots on the second shell. It's a matter of taste but I would clone over those areas.

Very difficult to avoid when photographing reflective surfaces.

[FootLoose]

I like the way the 2nd seems to float in space.

[IzzieK]

Exactly what I was about to say in #2 (like Greg's above) but I like #1 shot better thought it needs as bit of lightening on the right side. #2 is good too but it has that specular highlight on it. I would have traced where it was coming from and correct it accordingly. (Yes...I am studying light at the moment with Don Giannatti.) On our way back from our trip to Florida yesterday I came upon bunches and bunches of seashells at Miami airport and wanted to buy some but I changed my mind. Now I will kick myself for not picking even just one of them to take home...

[Ziggy]

I enjoy your shell shots Andre.

[Rent]

Andre I find the second image to lack sharpness This could be due to the processing I think I would try playing with the lighting possibly using a reflector But keep it simple Nice try
Roy

[John 2]

There are a couple of over exposure bright spots on the second shell. It's a matter of taste but I would clone over those areas.

Very difficult to avoid when photographing reflective surfaces.

My feelings as well but overall a couple of good images.

[Round Tuit]

Good capture of the shells, be careful of the backgrounds, the specs are distracting.

Thanks for pointing those out John. I think I might need new glasses!

[Round Tuit]

Excellent images; really interesting

Thank you Nandakumar

[Round Tuit]

There are a couple of over exposure bright spots on the second shell. It's a matter of taste but I would clone over those areas.

Very difficult to avoid when photographing reflective surfaces.

Actually Geoff, I had to wet the shell to get the specular highlights to show at all. Without them, the shell looked like a flat cut-out pasted on a black background.
Thanks for commenting

[Round Tuit]

I like the way the 2nd seems to float in space.

Me too

[Round Tuit]

Exactly what I was about to say in #2 (like Greg's above) but I like #1 shot better thought it needs as bit of lightening on the right side. #2 is good too but it has that specular highlight on it. I would have traced where it was coming from and correct it accordingly. (Yes...I am studying light at the moment with Don Giannatti.) On our way back from our trip to Florida yesterday I came upon bunches and bunches of seashells at Miami airport and wanted to buy some but I changed my mind. Now I will kick myself for not picking even just one of them to take home...

The first one is my favorite too. I tried a version where the right side was brighter but preferred this one because the shell seems to merge into the darkness.
I hope that you had a good trip to Florida. It is nice to have you back.

[Round Tuit]

I enjoy your shell shots Andre.

Thank you.

[Round Tuit]

Andre I find the second image to lack sharpness This could be due to the processing I think I would try playing with the lighting possibly using a reflector But keep it simple Nice try
Roy

Thank Roy. Could you please elaborate on why you think the second one is soft. The fine structure of the shell seems apparent to me over the full side of the shell.

[Round Tuit]

My feelings as well but overall a couple of good images.

Thanks John

[Rent]

Andre It might be my eyesight but to me the second image do'es not have the crispness of the first Sorry
Roy

[Tony Britton]

Hi Andre,

You're certainly off to great start. The first seashell is especially fantastic. These types of shots, which celebrate light & shadow play are both enjoyable and challenging and making sure the background is completely dust-free and ultimately black as possible is paramount. Seashells are my very favorite macro projects and I use a small artist's brush to dust the shell and the black foam core board I use as the background.

Wishing you continued enjoyment and success with your seashell project. Based on your first images, the future look very bright, indeed!

Best regards,

Tony

[Round Tuit]

Andre It might be my eyesight but to me the second image do'es not have the crispness of the first Sorry
Roy

Roy,
The second seashell is considerably smoother that the first. That could be why it looks softer.
Don't be sorry. You have to call them the way you see them. Otherwise, this forum will degenerate into a self congratulatory society.

Andre