learning curve, studio, black and white

[JBW]

[FootLoose]

Very interesting subject, Brian, but it is a bit too dark for me. It has lost all detail on the right edge of the watch. I might try to lighten the whole object to separate if from the cloth it is resting on. In fact, with such an ornate surface, this shot might work better with a plainer cloth.

[selig1656]

Subject is neat, the background for me is to busy and distracts from the subject. I too would brighten it a little , but that would depend if you were to use a different background. Great details and thank you for the the pleasurable art.

[JBW]

Very interesting subject, Brian, but it is a bit too dark for me. It has lost all detail on the right edge of the watch. I might try to lighten the whole object to separate if from the cloth it is resting on. In fact, with such an ornate surface, this shot might work better with a plainer cloth.

I did do another series with a plain background.

[JBW]

Subject is neat, the background for me is to busy and distracts from the subject. I too would brighten it a little , but that would depend if you were to use a different background. Great details and thank you for the the pleasurable art.

my pleasure. I have posted a better shot with a lighter background.

[jcuknz]

With all that black area between the sharp and soft areas of the watch it would be fun to try a bit of focus stacking.

My reaction to this shot is that you are torn between making an artistic shot and getting a good shot of the watch and fail on both counts. A thought comes to mind that a sheet of black acrylic could be a good support like our broken glass expert uses, with a similar lighting set-up to get away from the dark shadows you seem to like.

[JBW]

With all that black area between the sharp and soft areas of the watch it would be fun to try a bit of focus stacking.

My reaction to this shot is that you are torn between making an artistic shot and getting a good shot of the watch and fail on both counts. A thought comes to mind that a sheet of black acrylic could be a good support like our broken glass expert uses, with a similar lighting set-up to get away from the dark shadows you seem to like.

Right now I have a desk lamp and two flashlights. Come payday their will be one more light and a lot less shadow.

[Shadowman]

Nice look.

[JBW]

Nice look.

every now and again I get a little artsy.

[Geoff F]

Whatever you do with this subject, Brian, keeping the highlights under control will always be a problem.

All you can do is to arrange your lighting to spread the light fairly evenly then expose for the brightest areas; and try to recover any overly dark shadows during editing.

Alternatively, you may be able to achieve a really 'arty' effect by actually using a bright, but not over exposed highlight area and dark shadows to produce a high contrast result. Tricky to get correct but I have seen it done to good effect.

[thegman]

Brian, I have now seen your different takes on this subject, I love the black & white, as always the subject is this beautiful timepiece, I love the engineering of watches, but I feel if the background was toned down in the b&w version , it would be a masterpiece!

[Loose Canon]

Hi Brian!

When shooting a subject in a studio environment, I find it pays to consider the subject carefully. What is it about what you are shooting that is either appealing or that you want to have the viewer see.

In the case of this watch, I would say that if I looked at it in that respect, it would obviously have to be the fine detail in the casing primarily. There are other things that would come to mind but if we proceed on that premise…

In this shot, I find myself struggling to see that detail in the casing. I keep looking hard at it but it is just not really happening well. If I back off and look at it about I would have to say that the point speculars further reduce to ability to find the detail because one has to make the eye get past that to dig into the detail which is quite hard to see. Because of the darkness, once you do get down to the detail you see a lot of that detail in heavy shadow further reducing the effect of the gorgeous detail.

I know you are a fan of dark shots, but not everything necessarily lends itself well to that. And in your Journey, I would suggest that you might also want to explore other lighting scenarios with a little different goal in mind.

It makes no difference whether you prefer it or not. You may, you may not, but the point being you can learn the light in multiple ways to get multiple looks. I find this theory alone one of the coolest things about work in a studio. You are not locked in to whatever light/composition/BG, etc. presents itself in whatever environment you see the shot.

You get to make the call on all of it. And that is huge freedom!

[Loose Canon]

A thought comes to mind that a sheet of black acrylic could be a good support like our broken glass expert uses, with a similar lighting set-up to get away from the dark shadows you seem to like.

I don’t know if this would be of interest but I’ll mention it anyway Brian.

Sometimes I shoot on a piece of picture frame glass. It is cheap (or free if you already have a picture frame laying around). I look at it to decide which side is the cleanest (no scratches, etc.), then shoot the other side with a coat of black matte spray paint.

There are some advantages and some disadvantages of this compared to plexiglass (acrylic, Perspex, etc.).

Advantages-
Inexpensive and easily available.
Less resistance to scratching than plexi. Plexi is very easily scratched.
Reusable. You can scrape all the paint off with a razor blade and/or re-paint it if you want.
It gives good reflections at certain angles (see disadvantages).
You might even be able to place it on a piece of black paper or cloth. I’ve not tried this personally and I’ve not tried painting it any other color than black.

Disadvantages-
It can break.
You can get ghosting reflections (double reflections) at certain angles. This is what I consider the biggest disadvantage and you have to watch your camera angle to avoid this.

I have both plexi and this painted glass. I prefer plexi but it is expensive and easily damaged. If I think I can get away with it I’ll use the glass if for no other reason than to reduce wear on my plexi.

[JBW]

I don’t know if this would be of interest but I’ll mention it anyway Brian.

Sometimes I shoot on a piece of picture frame glass. It is cheap (or free if you already have a picture frame laying around). I look at it to decide which side is the cleanest (no scratches, etc.), then shoot the other side with a coat of black matte spray paint.

There are some advantages and some disadvantages of this compared to plexiglass (acrylic, Perspex, etc.).

Advantages-
Inexpensive and easily available.
Less resistance to scratching than plexi. Plexi is very easily scratched.
Reusable. You can scrape all the paint off with a razor blade and/or re-paint it if you want.
It gives good reflections at certain angles (see disadvantages).
You might even be able to place it on a piece of black paper or cloth. I’ve not tried this personally and I’ve not tried painting it any other color than black.

Disadvantages-
It can break.
You can get ghosting reflections (double reflections) at certain angles. This is what I consider the biggest disadvantage and you have to watch your camera angle to avoid this.

I have both plexi and this painted glass. I prefer plexi but it is expensive and easily damaged. If I think I can get away with it I’ll use the glass if for no other reason than to reduce wear on my plexi.

Trust ,me it is of interest. I am feeling as if i am right back to when I first got the camera.

[JBW]

Hi Brian!

When shooting a subject in a studio environment, I find it pays to consider the subject carefully. What is it about what you are shooting that is either appealing or that you want to have the viewer see.

In the case of this watch, I would say that if I looked at it in that respect, it would obviously have to be the fine detail in the casing primarily. There are other things that would come to mind but if we proceed on that premise…

In this shot, I find myself struggling to see that detail in the casing. I keep looking hard at it but it is just not really happening well. If I back off and look at it about I would have to say that the point speculars further reduce to ability to find the detail because one has to make the eye get past that to dig into the detail which is quite hard to see. Because of the darkness, once you do get down to the detail you see a lot of that detail in heavy shadow further reducing the effect of the gorgeous detail.

I know you are a fan of dark shots, but not everything necessarily lends itself well to that. And in your Journey, I would suggest that you might also want to explore other lighting scenarios with a little different goal in mind.

It makes no difference whether you prefer it or not. You may, you may not, but the point being you can learn the light in multiple ways to get multiple looks. I find this theory alone one of the coolest things about work in a studio. You are not locked in to whatever light/composition/BG, etc. presents itself in whatever environment you see the shot.

You get to make the call on all of it. And that is huge freedom!

This morning i spent some time shooting a glass jewelry box on a red satiny background. maybe 30 or so shots; different angles, lighting, and various camera settings. All of them went into the round filing cabinet. But I am learning. This afternoon maybe I will learn some more?
B.

[JBW]

Whatever you do with this subject, Brian, keeping the highlights under control will always be a problem.

All you can do is to arrange your lighting to spread the light fairly evenly then expose for the brightest areas; and try to recover any overly dark shadows during editing.

Alternatively, you may be able to achieve a really 'arty' effect by actually using a bright, but not over exposed highlight area and dark shadows to produce a high contrast result. Tricky to get correct but I have seen it done to good effect.

later today I will go back with a different back ground and shoot in B&W instead of converting it. Should be interesting. I will work on the blown highlights and deathly dark hallows.
B.

[JBW]

Brian, I have now seen your different takes on this subject, I love the black & white, as always the subject is this beautiful timepiece, I love the engineering of watches, but I feel if the background was toned down in the b&w version , it would be a masterpiece!

i will be revisiting the B&W with a different bg.
B.

[Loose Canon]

I am feeling as if i am right back to when I first got the camera.

Is that a good feeling or no?

[JBW]

Is that a good feeling or no?

When Trans Gemini was asked by the captain if she was alive or dead her answer was; Yes. I have the same answer. Yes! A bit of both. A new challenge with an old friend.