Six Sides of Crystal: REVISITED

[Mike Buckley]

I made photos displayed in this thread of a rock of quartz crystal with it resting on each of its six sides. I have now made another series of six photos using a different composition. Just as no two displays of the rock are the same, no two displays of the background in this series are the same.

This set was designed to complement, not contrast, the first set.


Side #1



Side #2



Side #3



Side #4



Side #5



Side #6

[Digital]

Mike, very nice images. Love the lighting.


Bruce

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, Bruce.

I would be ashamed to admit how long it took me to devise the setup to make my imagined composition. This is the first time I have imagined such a composition and I am new enough at devising lighting setups that my many attempts failed miserably. That was until I finally came to realize everything that would be necessary to make it work.

I could have easily settled for making each composition by combining two image files but I was determined, as a learning exercise, to make each photo using just one capture. It was very rewarding when I finally figured out how to do it, which actually happened when my little dilemma was keeping me awake in bed in the middle of the night.

[ShaneS]

Beautiful images Mike. I tend to prefer the images with the darker areas surrounding the crystal, stronger vignette if you will, as they seem more dramatic to me. #5 and #6 and to a lesser degree #1 don't have the same strength 'fade to black' as the other images. They are still great but have a slightly more soothing feel to them IHMO.

I realize that this could be due to the way the facets react to your lighting set up but I thought that I would throw out the comment for your consideration.

[Mike Buckley]

Your observations make perfect sense to me, Shane. Thank you for sharing them!

They actually make me feel quite good with regard to my intended outcomes despite that you apparently don't like the soothing feel quite as much as the more dramatic feel. Once I positioned the rock the way I liked it (any slight change can dramatically affect how it looks), I tweaked the background light until I felt the rock and background were harmonious; each display of the rock seemed to have its own personality that required a slightly different background, such as the differences that you mentioned between being more dramatic or more soothing.

If I properly understand the affect of the lighting setup, the aspect that you and I are discussing has nothing to do with how the facets of the rock are lit. It's all about the background light, though I don't think it would be possible to know that unless you saw my lighting setup.

[Brownbear]

Hi Mike,

These are truly magical.... Beautiful light, detail, colour... beautiful everything. I think you should arrange to have them displayed somewhere, ie; local gallery, high end restaurant, etc.

[Loose Canon]

Hey Mike!

Just a couple of quick questions and I may be way off here because I have been traveling all day and I’m kind of whacked out!

Is there some banding going on? May just be me or something, but am I seeing it in the BG and reflection on the tabletop?

Interesting reflection the crystal is throwing back down on the tabletop. I have some crystals (in my Medicine Bag) but haven’t thought to shoot them (yet)! Looks like fun though!

Did you shoot through the BG (and was it the vellum)?

[Mike Buckley]

Yes, Terry, there is serious banding going on in the JPEG that is not in the RAW file. I'm surprised that nobody mentioned it and would have been even more surprised if you hadn't. Fortunately, I don't mind it in this particular situation and sort of like it. But I would object in other situations.

The thing that I dislike about it in this situation is that I'm not in control of it. I don't usually consider myself a control freak except that when working in my makeshift studio, I proudly, always consider myself a control freak.

No, I didn't shoot through the background. I shot at it. Yes, it is the vellum lit from below by a speed light with a snoot.

As for the reflection on the tabletop being thrown down by the crystal, I'm not sure that some of that isn't a reflection of the background. I'm terrible at playing pool because I've never been able to figure out the angles. Considering that I can't do it with an opaque object such as a ball, you won't be surprised to learn that I can't do it with light.

Anything else?

[Loose Canon]

Well...

...now that you mention it there were a couple more things...

In the shot with the Skyy bottle and glasses? My keeper showed the label accurately. In the reduction/outputting I ran into some moire patterning in the smaller lettering that prevented me from posting it that way. So I hear ya knockin' Brother! No matter what I did I couldn't overcome it.

I figured this was something that had to do with outputting. I have run into this as well.

So here is what I really wanted to say. I think these are awesome and I admire your continued dedication to artistry, innovation, vision, and technical expertise.

Not to mention you're just plain fun!

[Mike Buckley]

Not to mention you're just plain fun!

Psst. Terry...you do realize don't you that everyone around here thinks you and I are nuts. Me for being nuts and you for thinking I'm fun.

I think the reason I like the banding is because it's so severe and obvious. If it were less obvious, like it usually is, I would probably be concerned that it looks more like a mistake that had gone unnoticed.

[Bobobird]

Another beautiful set of shots. I have nothing constructive to offer but do enjoy what your try and achieve.

[Shadowman]

Very nice.

[Loose Canon]

Psst. Terry...you do realize don't you that everyone around here thinks you and I are nuts. Me for being nuts and you for thinking I'm fun.

Shhh..

Psst Mike? Should we be worried?