Studio Shot: Broken III

[Mike Buckley]

Greg (FootLoose) mentioned in my first thread using this broken hot light that this part of the bulb is interesting enough to photograph on its own. I hadn't thought of doing that, so I really appreciate his suggestion, especially now that I have made this photo.


Photo #1

[Marie Hass]

Yes!!!!!! This I get. Love the colors, shapes, highlights ans shadows. Very nice.

Marie

[Mike Buckley]

Glad you like it, Marie. This is my favorite of the three photos.

[Digital]

This is a very interesting photo. I like the reflection.

Bruce

[Brownbear]

Gorgeous! Stunningly beautiful! Even more so than your beautiful glasses... you've made ugly, beautiful...

I love the composition, lines, shadows, simplicity, rich colour and sharp details. My favourite photo of your glass photos and I never thought I would say that!

I'm off to find a lightbulb...

[Mike Buckley]

I'm off to find a lightbulb...

Don't forget the hammer. Seriously, thanks so much for your nice compliments.

[Brownbear]

Yes, Mike you might just have of inspired me to try photographing a light bulb. If I try it, for sure I will try the hammer thing, too

Seriously, I think this photo is a work of art that will likely hang in a museum of photography, one day... Keep at it!

[FootLoose]

Great shot, Mike. The colours work wonderfully for me. Simplicity is beautiful.

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks, Greg!

This one is for those who like monochromes...and for those who aren't used to blue bulbs.


Photo #2

[Steve S]

Not shure which i like better. It's a great shot in both b&w and color. Great job on this one mike!!!

[ShaneS]

Mike, I have been lurking on the posts of your 'broken' series and must say that this is "The One"! I'm not a blue person so the mono version is the one I prefer but both are stunning!

I will say right now that this series is a lesson in working the scene, or the subject in this case, with impressive results.

[Bobobird]

Nice try. I like.

B/w looks like a broken egg shell. Ahhhh, next project.

[FootLoose]

Lol! Actually Bobo, it looks like a map of Australia ... but maybe you need to be one of us to appreciate that

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you to everyone for your feedback. However, Greg, please don't encourage Bobo or his idea about broken egg shells.

it looks like a map of Australia ... but maybe you need to be one of us to appreciate that

I must admit that you sent me scampering for a map to figure that out and I realized that your idea is not as farfetched as I initially thought.

[Mike Buckley]

I initially envisioned the image as part of the "Broken" series of the same light bulb. So, in the first photo in this thread, I adhered to using the blue glass, the black tabletop and the grey background for the sake of consistency.

However, I never completely liked that the photo was essentially blue glass with a monochrome tabletop and background. My solution was to make the entire image monochrome. For me, all of the tones of the monochrome version complement each other and I like that one the best at least up to that point. I like it so much more that I also think it trumps the other two photos in the "Broken" series enough that it merits being shown on its own.

Having thought about the reason I don't like the first photograph quite as much, I decided to have a go at integrating color into the tabletop and background. However, my biggest weakness as a studio photographer is that I'm terrible as a designer when it comes to the use of color. I would especially appreciate your thoughts about these two versions and any suggestions of alternative ideas using this concept that might work better.

I like Photo #3 because its kitschy, dramatic style grabs my attention. However, I prefer Photo #4 at least at this moment because I like its more subtle use of drama.


Photo #3



Photo #4

[Brownbear]

The first blue photo is my favourite, and I prefer the 2nd coloured one (blue) over the purple because the blue of the lightbulb stands out more. That said, I like #1 the best.

[Mike Buckley]

I prefer the 2nd coloured one (blue) over the purple because the blue of the lightbulb stands out more.

I think you're preferring Photo #4 over Photo #3. I have now numbered all of the photos (probably after you posted your message) to make it easier to refer to them.

I agree that the back lighting seems more dramatic in Photo #4 even though absolutely everything about the light bulb itself is the same in both versions.

[Brownbear]

Yes, that is correct but as you know I may be colour-challenged, too.

I think you're preferring Photo #4 over Photo #3. I have now numbered all of the photos (probably after you posted your message) to make it easier to refer to them.

I agree that the back lighting seems more dramatic in Photo #4 even though absolutely everything about the light bulb itself is the same in both versions.

[FlyingSquirrel]

#2, by far, works best for me; it is superb. Though personally I would like to see a minuscule amount of tonal gradation in the black tabletop, so it's not a solid black. I tried it quickly in Pshop and it looks good to me. I used 90% gray from the top/far edge, fading down into black about 1/3 of the way down. Can send it to you if you want to see it.

Excellent shot!!

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks for the idea, Matt. I look forward to trying your suggestion but first have to resuscitate my post-processing software. ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH.