Holding the decanter -- Take Two

[Mike Buckley]

This is my first photo of this decanter using the bright-line method, which creates a dramatic mood.

Setup
A large continuous-light lamp with five bulbs is behind the subject shining toward the camera through a large circular diffuser and around a background of black velvet. The tabletop is black fabric. A small continuous-light lamp with a diffuser sock is to the right of the camera lighting the hand. A flag with a rectangular opening in the center is placed in front of the camera lens to eliminate flare. ISO 800, shutter 1/30, aperture f/5.6

Please view in the Lytebox. If you can't see separation between the wine and the background, it might be because you're not using a profiled and calibrated monitor and/or not using Firefox.

[Shadowman]

Very nice.

[Dave Humphries]

If you can't see separation between the wine and the background, it might be because you're not using a profiled and calibrated monitor and/or not using Firefox.

Or in my case - because the screen was (initially) too dusty

I can now see it, but wonder if a slither of illumination on that underside would be worth having?

The other thought that struck me was the coincidental/accidental 'straight line' illumination along the lower edge of the hand and finger, it almost looks like there's something between the camera and the hand obstructing the view, or perhaps a very straight edge to the flag (sock?) applied to the lamp for the hand.

I always learn from your posts Mike.

Thanks, Dave

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you to John and Dave!

I always learn from your posts Mike.

Actually, it's exactly the opposite. As an example that is especially pertinent to the display of this photo, I wonder if you remember that a few years ago I couldn't see a shadow on a dark tabletop when the photo was displayed online even though I could see it when it was displayed using my editing software. You did some experimenting with browsers and realized that Firefox displayed it just fine even though Chrome and Internet Explorer didn't. I've been using Firefox ever since then.

I can now see it, but wonder if a slither of illumination on that underside would be worth having?

That would work. I could have used a reflector but the added reflection would have taken away from the simplicity, which is the style I tend to lean toward.

The other thought that struck me was the coincidental/accidental 'straight line' illumination along the lower edge of the hand and finger, it almost looks like there's something between the camera and the hand obstructing the view

I appreciate you mentioning that because I was wondering if it was just me. Now that you have confirmed it, I'm sure it's caused by the black cloth on the tabletop. It moved and became rumpled just enough to rise ever so slightly between the camera and the hand. That happened because I was in an unbelievably awkward situation: There was only one position that properly illuminated the entire top of the decanter. The only way I could know that it was being lit was to lean strongly to my left to view the camera's LCD while holding the decanter to my right.

or perhaps a very straight edge to the flag (sock?) applied to the lamp for the hand.

The sock doesn't produce an edge of any kind. It's a round piece of white diffusion material that is held in place on the lamp by a piece of elastic that wraps around the outside of the lamp's reflector. The sock is just a very easy way to diffuse the light, as opposed to hanging a piece of diffusion material in front of the lamp.

[Dave Humphries]

~ I wonder if you remember that a few years ago I couldn't see a shadow on a dark tabletop when the photo was displayed online even though I could see it when it was displayed using my editing software. You did some experimenting with browsers and realized that Firefox displayed it just fine even though Chrome and Internet Explorer didn't. I've been using Firefox ever since then.

I do remember - the shadow was cast by a pool table ball as I recall

It moved and became rumpled just enough to rise ever so slightly between the camera and the hand.

That explains it.

I was in an unbelievably awkward situation

If that's your hand, I don't doubt it (and I suspected it was)

The sock doesn't produce an edge of any kind. It's a round piece of white diffusion material that is held in place on the lamp by a piece of elastic that wraps around the outside of the lamp's reflector. The sock is just a very easy way to diffuse the light, as opposed to hanging a piece of diffusion material in front of the lamp.

Ah, I wondered if it was another 'across the pond' misunderstanding (on my part) thing, but no, not really - you didn't say it was a white sock

So, we both learn, great - that's what we're here for!

[Mike Buckley]

a pool table ball as I recall

Very close! It was a baseball.