Put away your cameras, and get into the kitchen...

[carregwen]

Any one have any ideas for the next theme? We have done trees, pets, and kitchen stuff. It needs to be something that is available to everyone so we all have an equal chance of posting shots.

[Dave Humphries]

Thats all that I see. Let me know if there is anything else.

Not bad, but there are a few more things;
I did a slight transform to reduce the stretching into the corners of verticals and straighten the railings a bit
Slight twist to level the apple and railings some more
The crop after that twist left the apple too near right side, so I extended that by 15 pixels - obvious 'tell' is the lack of a railing.
I copy/cloned another white highlight stripe to achieve a "balance" above the apple, see above right hand edge of apple
I didn't actually adjust WB or colours beyond another LCE to the apple and table, so that probably affected the histogram
The lift was achieved by using levels dialog and setting grey point at 1.2.

Lots of cloning covering up the transform and edge extension, etc.

Yes, noise reduction (in both ACR and Neat Image) did badly smooth the table grain and the shaded apple skin - will be less if done on a bigger image.

Incidentally, when I downloaded it, it came as a "jpf" file, not heard of that and my computer didn't know how to open it, so I changed it to jpg, then it opened in ACR instead of PSE, most odd.

Cheers,

[Dave Humphries]

Any one have any ideas for the next theme? We have done trees, pets, and kitchen stuff. It needs to be something that is available to everyone so we all have an equal chance of posting shots.

How about "I couldn't live/work without this" or "Tools of my trade" either is meant to be the same idea - to shoot something you use for several hours a day, be it for job, leisure or looking after the family, (in hopefully, an interesting way).

[rick55]

Any one have any ideas for the next theme? We have done trees, pets, and kitchen stuff. It needs to be something that is available to everyone so we all have an equal chance of posting shots.

We had a big blast of flower shots at springtime before: why not open a thread for that, and collect some. Do you ever shoot flowers?

Cheers,
Rick

[rick55]

How about "I couldn't live/work without this" or "Tools of my trade" either is meant to be the same idea - to shoot something you use for several hours a day, be it for job, leisure or looking after the family, (in hopefully, an interesting way).

I like that, but I suggest, no cameras. Too obvious.

Cheers,
Rick

[Dave Humphries]

I like that, but I suggest, no cameras. Too obvious.

Well, only for the retirees surely?
Still gives them a challenge doesn't it?

Might be a lot of pictures of mice and keyboards from everyone in business and IT though

[Shadowman]

How about food photography.

Any one have any ideas for the next theme? We have done trees, pets, and kitchen stuff. It needs to be something that is available to everyone so we all have an equal chance of posting shots.

[Wirefox]

"I couldn't live/work without this" or "Tools of my trade"

This could be interesting. But don't close this thread too soon I have not worked through all my Kitchen shots yet.

[Antonio Correia]

How about this ?

[Wirefox]

First of all I just want to say that for me these things are incredibly difficult, and I don't have an eye for it at all, so C&C on composition, lighting, cropping is greatly appreciated.

Way too modest Wendy. I think the shots you have posted in this thread demonstrate that you have the ability to compose your shots in a very creative way. I love the pasta shots and the borders really make the images buzz. The thing I like about still life is that you have total control and because of this you really get to know the effects of different combinations of lighting. You can add, subtract and reposition light sources in a controlled way and the effects are evident immediately often with dramatic effect.

Steve

[ScoutR]

I did a slight transform to reduce the stretching into the corners of verticals and straighten the railings a bit
Slight twist to level the apple and railings some more
The crop after that twist left the apple too near right side, so I extended that by 15 pixels - obvious 'tell' is the lack of a railing.
I copy/cloned another white highlight stripe to achieve a "balance" above the apple, see above right hand edge of apple

I knew there was something different about the background, but could not figure it out. I see it clearly now and it makes a big difference, especially adding the white highlight stripe for balance. Now when I look at the original it looks lopsided. I don't know if I will ever have the eye to notice all these things. One step at a time though.
Thanks for the notes. I couldn't do much with levels and brightness because of the noise. I have Neat Image downloaded, but have not installed it yet. Guess I need to get around to that.

Incidentally, when I downloaded it, it came as a "jpf" file, not heard of that and my computer didn't know how to open it, so I changed it to jpg, then it opened in ACR instead of PSE, most odd.

I have these hosted at my ISP. I checked the directory and they all have .jpg there. It is possible that I typed .jpf instead of .jpg when I entered it here, but then I am surprised that it would even show up if that's what I did.
Not sure what happened. Could be something with the ISP I guess. I had a file there for Colin one time too. It was stored there as one type (can't remember if it was TIF or PSD) but when he downloaded it, it had a different file extension. Never got that one figured out either.
I'm glad it worked out alright when you changed it though, that is very strange.

Wendy

[ScoutR]

Way too modest Wendy. I think the shots you have posted in this thread demonstrate that you have the ability to compose your shots in a very creative way. I love the pasta shots and the borders really make the images buzz. The thing I like about still life is that you have total control and because of this you really get to know the effects of different combinations of lighting. You can add, subtract and reposition light sources in a controlled way and the effects are evident immediately often with dramatic effect.

Steve

Thanks Steve: You wouldn't be impressed if you saw the hundred plus that I trashed. (oops, I'm not supposed to say that am I )

I do like playing around with the light though and like you said, the effects are very dramatic. I really have to start looking for a set of proper lights and stands. I'm starting to think it's going to be the best way to get the kind of floral shots that I want. Even though I poo pooed you guys that cut flowers and bring them inside to shoot, it's really not any easier (total control is difficult), just a different set of complications and in the long run from what I've seen the results are usually better.

How is it going with you? I was very happy to see that you mastered Live View, but I have not seen many shots lately. Hope it's just because you are busy with other things.

Wendy

[carregwen]

How about this ?

OK It's landscapes (thanks Antonio) But I think 'tools' is also a good idea. perhaps we can do that after landscapes (I'll post it in about a week when the others have had their run) We don't want too many on the go at once. There was some quite good dicussion in the kitchen thread towards the end about techniques and methods. Let's see if we can continue that. And let's have some entries from others.

[Antonio Correia]

OK It's landscapes (thanks Antonio) But I think 'tools' is also a good idea. perhaps we can do that after landscapes (I'll post it in about a week when the others have had their run) We don't want too many on the go at once. There was some quite good dicussion in the kitchen thread towards the end about techniques and methods. Let's see if we can continue that. And let's have some entries from others.

Listen Rob, if you wish me to erase my thread about landscapes I don't mind at all until you consider it to be convenient.
No problem at all ! Send me a PM if you please and I will erase it willingly.

There is another Portuguese I have invited to join us. I hope he can do so in a couple of days and participate in this agreeable forum.

[carregwen]

Listen Rob, if you wish me to erase my thread about landscapes I don't mind at all until you consider it to be convenient.
No problem at all ! Send me a PM if you please and I will erase it willingly.

There is another Portuguese I have invited to join us. I hope he can do so in a couple of days and participate in this agreeable forum.

No, that's fine. In fact I have just posted a landscape there myself. I don't see it as a problem that we have two or three on the go at once - but not too many.

[Antonio Correia]

Excellent, Steve. I prefer #1, #4, and #6. The colour and lighting is great. I think that is what I intended with this thread - to show that creative but simple lighting, even on mundane subjects, can make a terrific difference. You haven't by any chance got Nigella there have you?

...I am still sorting through so I will post more if they have turned out OK. We need more of these themed threads

I would add the second image even lacking a bit of scale.
They are pretty pretty (twice) good. This is the kind of picture I like.

[ScoutR]

Phew...sorry I'm late. First week back at work and way too much to do. I had five minutes spare this afternoon I just snapped everything going. I am still sorting through so I will post more if they have turned out OK. We need more of these themed threads

Hi Steve: don't know how I missed these, but you have answered my question from a previous post. Glad to see you back.

My vote goes for 4,5,and 6, but as usual they are all amazing.
I know you are very busy right now, but if you have time later, and if you don't mind, I'd love to know your setup for these. In particular backgrounds and lighting and whether or not you are using flash setup or studio lights.

Wendy

[ScoutR]

There was some quite good discussion in the kitchen thread towards the end about techniques and methods. Let's see if we can continue that. And let's have some entries from others.

I would love to know how you plan the light for shots like "A Cut Above" "Tea Time" the Melon shot and your eggistentialism (sp) shots. Also what kind of lights do you have, and a general idea of how the lights were set up for these shots. Sorry, I know that's a lot to ask. No rush, but enquiring minds want to know

Wendy

[ScoutR]

Lots of work and not what I wanted or planned. I tried using bulb setting and an old hand held Vivatar flash. Anyway, I should have put fresh batteries in the flash, because by the time the flash had recharged after taking this one the popcorn was popped.
Oh well, better luck next time. Got lots of experience. I had to look up how to do the bulb thing and use the remote trigger.

Wendy

[rick55]

The reason I matched the frame to the backdrop is because I think I need more space around the egg. This was not possible in camera because the matt board was not big enough.

Hi, Wendy: I see your point, and the advantage of the frame you did: it definitely makes the crop look less tight.

Cheers,
Rick