Myra's earring hopefully new and improved?

[JBW]

out of the camera

finished product? I am still not happy with the DOF but unless I am missing a technique it is as good as my equipment and skills can create with this shot.

[purplehaze]

Hi Brian, have you tried putting a diffuser of some kind between your subject and the light source to attenuate both the highlights and the shadows? And or some kind of little deflector to bounce light back into the underside?

[Stagecoach]

I am still not happy with the DOF but unless I am missing a technique it is as good as my equipment and skills can create with this shot.

Hi Brian,

This was shot in Manual, ISO 100, 1/2s, f/5.6 and FL of 24.2mm

To achieve a greater DoF you need to close down the aperture e.g f/11 or f/16. This will require that you compensate by using a longer shutter speed which if you are using the tripod with a static subject is no problem.

Leave the ISO as low as possible.

This is of course assuming you can adjust the aperture further in the mode (macro?) you were using.

Moving further back, smaller subject in the frame is also a possibility but cropping will reduce IQ.

Grahame

[JBW]

Hi Brian, have you tried putting a diffuser of some kind between your subject and the light source to attenuate both the highlights and the shadows? And or some kind of little deflector to bounce light back into the underside?

I tried white cardboard, various mirrors and a reading in the tent flashlight to no good effect. I am guessing the more times I try the better will be the results. Not to sound like a skin flint but thank the gods for digital.

[Stagecoach]

I'll post you a demo in 15 mins Brian of what you can achieve with a $10 desk lamp and two sheets of copy paper, and it's an earing, or is that ear ring?

[JBW]

Hi Brian,

This was shot in Manual, ISO 100, 1/2s, f/5.6 and FL of 24.2mm

To achieve a greater DoF you need to close down the aperture e.g f/11 or f/16. This will require that you compensate by using a longer shutter speed which if you using the tripod with a static subject as this no problem.

Leave the ISO as low as possible.

This is of course assuming you can adjust the aperture further in the mode (macro?) you were using.

Moving further back, smaller subject in the frame is a lso a possibility but cropping will reduce IQ.

Grahame

My camera on macro while using the telephoto gives me limited options. I could have gone to F/13 but then I would have needed an ISO of 200 or 400 and that is starting to get grainy. Moving back would have changed the numbers but lost a bit of the sharpness.

I am beginning to come to an understanding of what my lights will do and I am thinking two desk lamps of 75 to 100 watts just might help with the shadows and the options?

[Stagecoach]

My camera on macro while using the telephoto gives me limited options. I could have gone to F/13 but then I would have needed an ISO of 200 or 400 and that is starting to get grainy. Moving back would have changed the numbers but lost a bit of the sharpness.

I am beginning to come to an understanding of what my lights will do and I am thinking two desk lamps of 75 to 100 watts just might help with the shadows and the options?

Brian, so f/11 would have given you the greater DoF without compromising IQ due to ISO.

Ok so here is how you can tackle those shadows on a budget

No 1 -
One of my lighting rigs, used for the below shots just now.


No 2 - f/11, 1/5s
No diffusion or reflector used


No 3 - f/11, 2s
The paper taped onto the light


No 4 - f/11, 1s
The paper taped onto the light and a sheet stood up as reflector


Both the light distance from the subject can be varied as well as the reflector distance from the subject easily for the effect you want. The paper it's sitting on is off white with a fleck in it.

Grahame

[JBW]

I have a lamp and we have lots of paper left over from Myra's dissertation so I guess I know what I will be playing with tomorrow. I definitely would like to get to shot #4 shadow and glare reduction. Thanks for the lesson.
B.

[Shadowman]

Nice effort, it wouldn't be fun if you got it on the first go round.

[Stagecoach]

I have a lamp and we have lots of paper left over from Myra's dissertation so I guess I know what I will be playing with tomorrow. I definitely would like to get to shot #4 shadow and glare reduction. Thanks for the lesson.
B.

You are welcome Brian.

Other thoughts on the shot,
Perhaps the light should be lower to elongate the shadow?
My preference would be to not have the wiry bit closest in focus?
Not a clue what a female would do for the arrangement

Grahame

[JBW]

You are welcome Brian.

Other thoughts on the shot,
Perhaps the light should be lower to elongate the shadow?
My preference would be to not have the wiry bit closest in focus?
Not a clue what a female would do for the arrangement

Grahame

I will move stuff around a bit tomorrow.

[JBW]

Nice effort, it wouldn't be fun if you got it on the first go round.

along the same lines a wise woman once pointed out that without weeds there would be no gardeners.

[Dave Humphries]

Brian, so f/11 would have given you the greater DoF without compromising IQ due to ISO.

Ok so here is how you can tackle those shadows on a budget

No 1 -
One of my lighting rigs, used for the below shots just now.


No 2 - f/11, 1/5s
No diffusion or reflector used


No 3 - f/11, 2s
The paper taped onto the light


No 4 - f/11, 1s
The paper taped onto the light and a sheet stood up as reflector


Both the light distance from the subject can be varied as well as the reflector distance from the subject easily for the effect you want. The paper it's sitting on is off white with a fleck in it.

Hi Grahame,

This gets my vote as the most helpful post of the week/month/2015 (so far) with a great series of examples - thank you.

Dave

[JR1]

100% totally better, NO distracting background, better lighting, MORE interest

Now try something different, perhaps a small twig to hang them from

Do you allow your images to be edited

[JBW]

100% totally better, NO distracting background, better lighting, MORE interest

Now try something different, perhaps a small twig to hang them from

Do you allow your images to be edited

Absolutely, a picture being worth a thousand words... edit away.

[selig1656]

A work in process with it getting better each time .

[KimC]

This is one of the most helpful posts I have seen on Cambridge... Helpful to Brian but to so many others as well. Way to go Grahame!

[JBW]

A work in process with it getting better each time .

thanks in large part to the highly skilled and talented photographers in this group who freely offer their time and experience to people like me.

[JBW]

This is one of the most helpful posts I have seen on Cambridge... Helpful to Brian but to so many others as well. Way to go Grahame!

This group is privileged to have so many excellent mentors.

[Brownbear]

I also wish to express my appreciation for members like Grahame who go above and beyond to help others learn and progress. It's one of the things that make this forum so special, and something I will always treasure.

Grahame you have a special talent for teaching - expressing and demonstrating things clearly and simply. You've demonstrated how to create golden hour light with a cloud on a budget.

Way to go, Grahame!