Dragon take 2 ~ perhaps a little dark?

[JBW]

[Shadowman]

You could actually go darker if you wanted. Keep at it.

[IzzieK]

Oh my! I can remember sleeping in that kind bamboo floor when I was three or four years old! Nice shot by the way...I see these in the Asian markets in Australia, not much here. I must be in the wrong place.

[JBW]

You could actually go darker if you wanted. Keep at it.

I shall!

[JBW]

Oh my! I can remember sleeping in that kind bamboo floor when I was three or four years old! Nice shot by the way...I see these in the Asian markets in Australia, not much here. I must be in the wrong place.

This was actually shot on a bedside table. But in our bamboo house we have a floor that you would feel right at home with.
here is a shot of itsmaller than I thought it would be but it gives the basic memory jog? Then again why not go whole hog and click on this link.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi again Brian,

As referenced here.

Whatever the background, if it is too close to the subject, it will be;
a) lit almost as brightly as the subject and
b) almost as sharp as the subject
c) show the shadow the subject casts on it
These are things that will divert the viewer's attention away from the subject itself.

Although on this one, the background is actually more brightly lit (in two areas) than the subject is, which I find leads my eye away from the subject and there's still only a couple of cm between the subject and the background.

I don't know how far the camera was from the subject, but as far as possible, try to match that distance behind the subject, at least to begin with.

Hope that helps, Dave

[JR1]

This is going to sound bad but it is an honest question

To what end has this been taken

An ornament on a table with a sack behind it

I could understand if a plain seamless backdrop had been used and the ornament been alone and well it, this looks like it has just been put on a table and snapped with no thought about the interaction between background and item, which are too close together anyway

[JBW]

This is going to sound bad but it is an honest question

To what end has this been taken

An ornament on a table with a sack behind it

I could understand if a plain seamless backdrop had been used and the ornament been alone and well it, this looks like it has just been put on a table and snapped with no thought about the interaction between background and item, which are too close together anyway

Not a bad question at all. The end was as it usually is, to learn. You are certainly correct, as others have pointed, out that it is too close to the background. But you are wrong about no thought given to the shot. There can be little doubt that the thought was inadequate but thought there was.

Most of my postings have been garden shots and I readily admit to a lack of expertise in this (new to me) area. Hopefully in the future I will be able to do better.
B.

[mknittle]

Not a bad question at all. The end was as it usually is, to learn. You are certainly correct, as others have pointed, out that it is too close to the background. But you are wrong about no thought given to the shot. There can be little doubt that the thought was inadequate but thought there was.

Most of my postings have been garden shots and I readily admit to a lack of expertise in this (new to me) area. Hopefully in the future I will be able to do better.
B.

Keep trying Brian, you will get a way figured out that you like.

[JBW]

Keep trying Brian, you will get a way figured out that you like.

I will keep trying, it's fun!

[Loose Canon]

This is going to sound bad but it is an honest question

To what end has this been taken

An ornament on a table with a sack behind it

I could understand if a plain seamless backdrop had been used and the ornament been alone and well it, this looks like it has just been put on a table and snapped with no thought about the interaction between background and item, which are too close together anyway

Wow.

Brian, let’s see if we can be a little bit more positive about what you are doing. I get it. I guess some folks don’t.

You picked what I would consider one of the most difficult subjects possible! Way to jump right into the Big Middle!

It is hugely glossy, it has infinite angles of the scales, curves, facets if you will. This thing is going to throw light all over the place! I’m not sure I found a flat surface on the entire thing. Plus its cool!

Watch for the specular highlights when you are moving your lights around trying to see what can be done. These are the little blown points of light all over the dragon. Typically not considered always good in a controlled situation.

I think the shot could be improved with some judicious post production. Cropping being the main thing. You can burn down, or Levels down and mask the BG to get something maybe a bit different and which will give your shot a bit more of a targeted light look. Don’t underestimate the power of a vignette. Especially in a mood-type shot. And those speculars can be addressed somewhat.

But the important thing is to watch for these things while you are managing your light as you pull the trigger. If things get too out of hand at the shoot it will be hell trying to correct in post!

The surface (table top) is cool. But you can see the highlights on the edge facing the light source. Good? Not Good? The important thing is that you see it and make an intentional call on it.

The BG is cool but maybe if you readjusted the folds to give a spot behind the dragon without so many hard shadows on it you might like it better. You might not, but the point is to see and try this stuff to see what you like. There are some cool color gradients in it. Get into the habit of getting down and dirty with what you are seeing. In a shot such as you have presented here, the success is in the detail Brother! This is one of the coolest things about studio shooting. Talk about an awesome way to train the eye to light and its effects?

Actually, in this case without the hard shadows in the creases on the BG running into the subject you probably could have gotten away with the close distance. You almost got a spot on the BG, which outlines the dragon. And that is a cool way to do it if you show light on your BG (as opposed to black).

Here is a recent cool example of a great BG spot posted by Mr. Buckley that illustrates the BG spot which helps target the subject. (Hope you don't mind Mike!) There are a variety of ways to get this and BG is a biggie. If you follow the link to Mike's shot you will notice that there is no where else for the eye to go but right to the subject. It is a beautiful BG. If I am going to light my BG I like to set that first, or at least close. Add the subject, then adjust the relationship between subject and BG and then go from there. Just a Theory Brian!

Keep up the good stuff Brian. And welcome again to the The Dark Side! I think you will like it here!

It's lonely at the Bottom and those of us here in the Depths welcome you!

Just a quickie play in post Brian.

[JBW]

Wow.

Brian, let’s see if we can be a little bit more positive about what you are doing. Just a quickie play in post Brian.

Terry, you managed the 'more positive' very well. I checked out the Crystal shot and it is one heck of a background. I also like how you have worked on my shot.

One small advantage I have on my walk on the dark side is the office we built for Myra when she was writing her doctoral. Lots of natural light and enough area to hold all sorts of props. Plus it is classical open beam bamboo construction which means unlimited hang stuff from the ceiling potential as well as marvelous light from the bamboo. In other words I have a studio! Now all I need to do is to start thinking about light, shadow, depth, possibilities and potentiality.

This is just so different than hunting bugs.

Myra likes the idea and will take some time to buy me some background cloths. She also likes the idea that aside from the BG cloths I have everything that I need to learn with. (so do I).
B.

This is going to be fun!

[mknittle]

This is going to be fun!

That is the main thing.

[Loose Canon]

Please give my highest regards to Miss Myra, Brian. She sounds awesome and I can’t say that I have had the pleasure of hearing her mentioned! Very cool!

Then you have everything you need to cross over to the Dark Side!

Bring this with you as you walk:

Your Imagination (and you have an abundance).

And the willingness to set it into motion!

The rest will take care of itself!

I’ll see you there man!

[JBW]

That is the main thing.

Absolutely!

[JBW]

Please give my highest regards to Miss Myra, Brian. She sounds awesome and I can’t say that I have had the pleasure of hearing her mentioned! Very cool!

Then you have everything you need to cross over to the Dark Side!

Bring this with you as you walk:

Your Imagination (and you have an abundance).

And the willingness to set it into motion!

The rest will take care of itself!

I’ll see you there man!

She is indeed remarkable. I shall bring along all of your suggestions.

[flashback]

Brian, I think you may have stumbled upon your special purpose - studio work. Look forward to seeing more. You have some talented people here who can guide you on your descent into the dark side.

[JBW]

Brian, I think you may have stumbled upon your special purpose - studio work. Look forward to seeing more. You have some talented people here who can guide you on your descent into the dark side.

You are spot on about the talented people that are willing to share. Myra has always said that my best and worst character trait is that I am like a dog with a bone. I'm going to keep on chomping till I get to the marrow. Seems to me that there is a lot of marrow in studio work and all I have to do is find a way to get to it! Time will tell.
B.