Japanese teapot -again

[Loose Canon]

For the purposes of discussion and just as strictly a matter of opinion, I too think the highlight on the spout looks a bit out of place.

If repositioning the composition didn’t do it for me I think I would have tried a gobo in the lighting to eliminate the highlight keeping the entire spout in shadow. Or else I might have tried to get the highlight to run the entire curve of the spout to the body of the pot.

As small a bit that is out of focus I probably would have considered a mistake.

I’m not sure what the definition is here of “catalogue” shot but this is a far cry from an Ebay floater!

But like I said this is just a matter of opinion and mine come a dime a dozen with the 13th thrown in for free!

[JBW]

For the purposes of discussion and just as strictly a matter of opinion, I too think the highlight on the spout looks a bit out of place.

If repositioning the composition didn’t do it for me I think I would have tried a gobo in the lighting to eliminate the highlight keeping the entire spout in shadow. Or else I might have tried to get the highlight to run the entire curve of the spout to the body of the pot.

As small a bit that is out of focus I probably would have considered a mistake.

I’m not sure what the definition is here of “catalogue” shot but this is a far cry from an Ebay floater!

But like I said this is just a matter of opinion and mine come a dime a dozen with the 13th thrown in for free!

I think that part of the problem (if not for others then certainly for me) is that we are viewing and commenting on only 1/2 of a two part shot. When I viewed them together this white(?) shot made a lot more sense.

[nimitzbenedicto]

Today, I left that dark and moody teapot behind and head to the light-hearted view. Basically the same setup, without the blue gels and on white seamless. Two sets of barn doors to control the light spill on this one, and no snoot.




And before anyone asks; this is a colour shot, not a B&W conversion.

Hi Manfred,

I'd interpret the "dynamic tension" created by the lil "mis-alignment" of the tea pot to its base as
intriguing to the viewer.

I recall our Humanities prof who advised us to "feel" the concept the artist wishes to convey with his artwork.

Would it be apt for me to say Mandred's art is on the doorstep of satori.....

[KimC]

This is lovely. I did however love the coldness the first teapot you shared evoked.

[Manfred M]

For the purposes of discussion and just as strictly a matter of opinion, I too think the highlight on the spout looks a bit out of place.

If repositioning the composition didn’t do it for me I think I would have tried a gobo in the lighting to eliminate the highlight keeping the entire spout in shadow. Or else I might have tried to get the highlight to run the entire curve of the spout to the body of the pot.

As small a bit that is out of focus I probably would have considered a mistake.

I’m not sure what the definition is here of “catalogue” shot but this is a far cry from an Ebay floater!

But like I said this is just a matter of opinion and mine come a dime a dozen with the 13th thrown in for free!

The softness on the front was a mistake. I thought I has set up the lens at f/11 and was off by a stop; my bad.

The hot spot on the spout was not; and I did tone it down somewhat in post. I found that I didn't like it dark and to me is showed where the light was passing, more didn't like the way it looked. I had enough other flags in the shot, so one more wouldn't have hurt, and with all of the comments on this, that is certainly something I will consider next time. I guess I was too busy paying attention to the little bit of rust in the spout and was trying to get that to show up in the shot.

[truonda]

Great shot. Though I feel the image might be stronger with the full shadow of the teapot.

[Manfred M]

I'd interpret the "dynamic tension" created by the lil "mis-alignment" of the tea pot to its base as intriguing to the viewer.

You caught me on that one Victor; my intent was to have something that looked like a catalog product shot at first glance, be wanted it to seem "off" a bit. The misaligned pot on the trivit was part of that, as was the shadow and the flecks of slightly rusty patina. All are things catalog photographers work with art directors to avoid.

We are programed to see "perfection" and when that is not quite achieved we get a bit uncomfortable.

Just as an aside, the person that taught me studio lighting was a product photographer (actually the Director of Photography) for a mail order catalog business. The Lee Valley Tools catalogs are renowned for the beautiful photography and apparently people collect the older ones.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/home/OnlineCatalogs.aspx

[ShaneS]

Manfred,

All this technical talk is a bit over my head but I wanted to say that I also like this shot but still have a preference for the bluer version.

Have you tried to find an organic materiel around the house to use as a backdrop? I'm thinking along the lines of a tatami mat, some bamboo or burlap or even a fabric table cloth with some draping - you don't have a kimono sitting around do you ? I know that this would take away from the clean background that you have portrayed and may even take away from the beauty of the teapot itself but I thought that I would throw it out there as something to consider or build upon...

[Loose Canon]

The hot spot on the spout was not; and I did tone it down somewhat in post. I found that I didn't like it dark and to me is showed where the light was passing, more didn't like the way it looked. I had enough other flags in the shot, so one more wouldn't have hurt, and with all of the comments on this, that is certainly something I will consider next time. I guess I was too busy paying attention to the little bit of rust in the spout and was trying to get that to show up in the shot.

It’s easy to sit behind a computer screen and “arm-chair” critique a photo and give personal opinions, which generally have no bearing on much of anything except as just a thought.

Not so easy to put together a complex lighting scenario with complex subject matter in a studio setting.

So I defer to Manfred’s good judgment on how he chooses to light his subject(s).

I’m enjoying your studio work, Manfred.

Well done sir.

[Manfred M]

Manfred,

All this technical talk is a bit over my head but I wanted to say that I also like this shot but still have a preference for the bluer version.

Have you tried to find an organic materiel around the house to use as a backdrop? I'm thinking along the lines of a tatami mat, some bamboo or burlap or even a fabric table cloth with some draping - you don't have a kimono sitting around do you ? I know that this would take away from the clean background that you have portrayed and may even take away from the beauty of the teapot itself but I thought that I would throw it out there as something to consider or build upon...

There are definitely a couple of kimonos and yukatas kicking around the house, as well as some other props (tea cups, chopsticks and other related parnaphanalia) that I could easily try throwing into the mix. Maybe I'll try that sometime.

Part of the reason I chose to shot what I did and how I did it is that I picked up a snoot, a couple of reflectors (with barn doors / gel holders) and some grids for the softboxes. So in reality I was just playing around with the new gear (hint - all of the new gear was used in the images at some point or other), to see how it works.

If the weather continues to be so-so, I might try something else next weekend. I was hoping to hit the road for some outdoor stuff, but the cloud cover and rain continue to spoil my shooting plans, which I why I had some time to set up the lights in the basement.

[Manfred M]

It’s easy to sit behind a computer screen and “arm-chair” critique a photo and give personal opinions, which generally have no bearing on much of anything except as just a thought.

Not so easy to put together a complex lighting scenario with complex subject matter in a studio setting.

So I defer to Manfred’s good judgment on how he chooses to light his subject(s).

I’m enjoying your studio work, Manfred.

Well done sir.

Terry - the reason I post is exactly to get other's opinions on what I shoot. Sometimes things work out the way I want them, but others "don't get it", so perhaps my going in thoughts on where I was going are either off-track or were simply not obvious (which seems to have been the case with some of the work I was trying to do with the shadows).

I unfortunately have spent too little time with studio lighting, so my plans are to spend a lot more time, getting my skills back to where they were a few years ago. "Use it or lose it" certainly applies to photography...

[Loose Canon]

I’m just not always comfortable voicing a personal preference or opinion Manfred (though it doesn’t always stop me!). Mostly I think it is not always relevant. Certainly not as comfy as voicing a technical opinion. Subjective vs. objective I guess.

But I am always interested in what the shooter’s thoughts, motivations, and even procedures were at the time and sometimes you just have to come right out and say it! Knowing these things helps with my own process.

There seem to be very few doing studio work on this site (at least that I’m seeing) and comes as no surprise that other’s “don’t get it”. Unless one is involved in this aspect one probably won’t.

It’s a special treat for me to see someone on here who is good at it doing it.

Use it or lose it? I think you still got it! I’ll be looking forward to seeing more of it!