Tulips on White, Tulips on Black

[travis4567]

[Mike Buckley]

The concepts, depth of field and texture of both are very nice, Travis, but the first one is better executed than the second one. Change the second one to ensure that everything in the background is true black and I think I'll prefer that one because it seems more three-dimensional.

[travis4567]

Thanks Mike, For some reason I'm more comfortable shooting with a white background or on the Lightbox as in Photo #1. This piece of black plexi is making me crazy.

[Mike Buckley]

Try the following trick, Travis: Stand up and look down upon your monitor as a final check of the blacks. You'll see variations in the black tonalities that you won't see looking straight at the monitor.

Before I do that, I magnify the full-size image to about 66% to 100%. I then methodically review every part of the image looking for imperfections in the background and tabletop so I can zap them. As an example, there is a circular spot in the lower left corner of the second image that needs zapping.

As for using black acrylic, I wouldn't use it in the second image. Instead, I would use very high-quality black felt. The only reason to use the acrylic is when you want to display a reflection.

[IzzieK]

You always comes up with good composition ideas, Travis. I prefer #1 ....

[Shadowman]

You've handled any reflections that might appear on the black plexi, that's half the battle.

[bnnrcn]

Both of them are nice, I like #1 more

[travis4567]

One more from this series