Photo of a Medal: Please help design the scene

[ST1]

Mike how about having the ribbon formed into a heart shape above the medal I realise that would mean having both the medal and ribbon on a flat surface but you could still use your light and gels as you described above to give you tonal variety to the art paper. This approach gives a subtle link between the heart which is on the medal which also includes a briefcase. So less props but more focus give the the underlying reason for the charity event.

[Mike Buckley]

Mike how about having the ribbon formed into a heart shape above the medal

Good idea, Peter! Maybe I could form the ribbon into a heart shape around the medal rather than above it.

[ST1]

Good idea, Peter! Maybe I could form the ribbon into a heart shape around the medal rather than above it.

Good call Mike

[bnnrcn]

Hi Mark, difficult question to answer Because the medal already has the shapes of a heart and a pair of shoes on it, what about taking a bigger shot of it ?

[Mike Buckley]

a bigger shot of it ?

Do you mean to include more of the ribbon or to close in more on the medal? I'm not inclined to include more of the ribbon unless you convince me otherwise but do like the idea of including at least some of the ribbon. That's because the colors of the ribbon are the colors of the branding used by Deloitte, the company that donates the medal and ribbon.

[bnnrcn]

I meant a closer and bigger shot of the medal Mike, not more of the ribbon

Do you mean to include more of the ribbon or to close in more on the medal? I'm not inclined to include more of the ribbon unless you convince me otherwise but do like the idea of including at least some of the ribbon. That's because the colors of the ribbon are the colors of the branding used by Deloitte, the company that donates the medal and ribbon.

[chauncey]

Not a lot of time vested but I wanted to accentuate the figures...

[Mike Buckley]

Got it! Thanks, Chauncey!

[Brownbear]

Hi Mike,

The only thing I can think of is what you do so well, ie; perhaps a reflection of the medal (or the medal as is, with multiple reflections (sense of motion) seen in your tabletop, or the medal/reflection normal with the ribbon showing a sense of motion.

Whatever your final design ends up being, I just know it will be perfection, as always.

[Mike Buckley]

All good ideas, Christina. You mentioned motion and, indeed, I made a photo I wasn't really happy with of a composite of four captures giving the impression that the medal is swaying from side to side, which is what happened so I could get the fours shots. I didn't like the execution much so I didn't post it.

[Mike Buckley]

Richard suggested adding something that relates to the medal and Matt suggested running shoes. If I use this concept when this year's medal arrives, I'll do a better job of cleaning the shoe soles.

Setup
The tabletop and background are a single sheet of gold semi-glossy poster board. A small continuous-light lamp positioned slightly to right of the medal produced mid tones in its heart, shoes and lettering. A medium continuous-light lamp positioned on the right side lit that area of the black shoes and the entire background. A medium continuous-light lamp on the left side lit that area of the shoes.

[Brownbear]

Beautifully photographed, as always.

I wonder if it would also be worth a try with a close in view from the front/rear? (push off/ heal lift for a sense of motion) It means the shoe would have to be bent into position and kept there somehow.

[bnnrcn]

Now, it is a super image Mike

Richard suggested adding something that relates to the medal and Matt suggested running shoes. If I use this concept when this year's medal arrives, I'll do a better job of cleaning the shoe soles.

Setup
The tabletop and background are a single sheet of gold semi-glossy poster board. A small continuous-light lamp positioned slightly to right of the medal produced mid tones in its heart, shoes and lettering. A medium continuous-light lamp positioned on the right side lit that area of the black shoes and the entire background. A medium continuous-light lamp on the left side lit that area of the shoes.

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks to Binnur and Christina!

I wonder if it would also be worth a try with a close in view from the front/rear? (push off/ heal lift for a sense of motion)

Continue coming up with ideas, though that one doesn't work for me because there would be no reason for the shoe to be bent or in motion when there is no foot in it. If the shoe was shown to be in motion, there would be no reason for a medal to be displayed in it.

[Brownbear]

Continue coming up with ideas, though that one doesn't work for me because there would be no reason for the shoe to be bent or in motion when there is no foot in it. If the shoe was shown to be in motion, there would be no reason for a medal to be displayed in it.

Hi Mike,

I meant the implication of a foot being there... ie; super close-up just like the last version, but without being able to see the top of the shoe...

Perhaps a silhouette of a runner/runners with the medal over top. I'm idea'd out. Sorry.

[Mike Buckley]

Perhaps a silhouette of a runner/runners with the medal over top.

Great idea!

[rpcrowe]

How about the medal draped over a law book?

[Mike Buckley]

How about the medal draped over a law book?

Another great idea!

[Digital]

Mike, my daughter is a runner. Whenever I see a pic of a race the medal is always draped over a shirt that advertises (not the word that I am particularly looking for) the particular race. This concept may be a bit to common; however I think it works.



Bruce

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks for the idea, Bruce. Tony mentioned a similar idea. Even though I don't expect this year's medal to be much different, I have no idea if the medal will complement the event's tee shirt because the new tee shirts haven't arrived yet.