Wine Corks: 2 1/2 years ago and the remake

[Mike Buckley]

I decided to do a remake of a photo I made about 2 1/2 years ago. The most import reason is that I have refined my taste since making the first photo and wanted to use lighting this time that would more clearly define the shape of the corks.

Other reasons: I used a 24mm focal length in the first photo to emphasize the height of the pile of the corks and have decided since then that I don't like the distortion displayed in the foreground corks. I also intentionally used selective focus in the first photo and decided since then that I prefer to have everything in focus. I decided to make a monochrome to simplify the image by eliminating the wide variety of color in the corks. Last, I decided that the details of the corks should be more important than in the first photo, so I used a 35mm focal length hoping to create a larger magnification (that didn't happen because the lens was farther away from the corks) and I increased the amount of corks' texture in the post-processing.

Please click to display both images at a larger size to compare the differences.

Setup of the Remake
The background is made of black cloth and the tabletop is not included in the image. A medium continuous-light lamp is above and to the right of the scene. That light creates the direct reflection on the top edge of the corkscrew's handle and lights the top of the corks. It also defines the shape of the part of the corkscrew below the handle and separates it from the background. A small continuous-light lamp fitted with two diffusion socks to reduce the brightness is at the front left corner of the scene to partly fill in the shadows on the bottom half of the corks. A white reflector is positioned to create a reflection on the bottom left side of the corkscrew's handle to help define its shape.


2 1/2 years ago




The Remake

[FlyingSquirrel]

Mike, the remake is significantly better in many ways. I like all of the changes you made. Notably, the composition in the newer image is far stronger, and more balanced. My only criticism would be that there is some "odd" posterization and strange patterns visible in the darkest areas of the background, which I suspect may be artifacts from the post processing. Depending on how your monitor is calibrated, you may, or may not, be able to see what I am referring to. Well done, I like the image!

[Barbara Ponder]

Honestly I am torn. There are some things I prefer in the original like the different colored wine stains on the corks and the colors of the corks themselves that you lose in the monochromatic shot. Both very nice in their own ways.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you to Matt and Barbara!

Matt: Thanks for pointing out the issues in the background of the remake. They don't appear in the RAW file. I use an automated process to create smaller JPEGs for display here and didn't inspect this one (I rarely do) until seeing your comment.

[FlyingSquirrel]

Thank you to Matt and Barbara!

Matt: Thanks for pointing out the issues in the background of the remake. They don't appear in the RAW file. I use an automated process to create smaller JPEGs for display here and didn't inspect this one (I rarely do) until seeing your comment.

Interesting, Mike. Your photos are so excellent, I'd recommend that you give them one last critical inspection prior to posting the auto-generated web images.

Thanks for sharing your work

[george013]

Though the last one looks sharper, the first one has more impact.
How is that wine, eroica?
George

[Downrigger]

First of all, your usual creative and meticulous style is present for both of these, and they both engage nicely. Your thought process and your explanation of how you effect it are instructive.

Like Barbara, I find it hard to choose - the first has three-dimensionality, while the second's composition is flat and effects its composition nicely in two dimensions without depth. Adding in color vs. B&W means they are surprisingly and wholly different images despite being of the same subject. I lean towards the first, and for one reason because I like that your subject(s) more completely fill the frame.

In the second, the window-with-spiral in the puller and the corks behind that window somehow convey a (false) blurriness - it looks smudged in there - that I cannot understand but which grabs and disturbs my eye (sort of after the manner of a tilted horizon). Clearly it's an illusion, a trick, and maybe its just me.

[Mike Buckley]

How is that wine, eroica?

It's a favorite of mine, especially with a particular recipe of light, white fish and artichoke caponata. It's a riesling made by Chateau St. Michelle in Washington (the state) in a joint effort with Germany's Dr. Loosen. Some people say this riesling is a touch sweet but I think it's dry and unusually fruity; I believe a lot of people confuse fruity white wine with sweet white wine. It bears the name of Beethoven's Symphony #3 (also a favorite of mine) because of the connection with Germany.

[Mike Buckley]

In the second, the window-with-spiral in the puller and the corks behind that window somehow convey a (false) blurriness - it looks smudged in there - that I cannot understand

It's perfectly sharp with less contrast than in the first photo between the cork behind the "window" and the spiral.

[Mike Buckley]

A virtual gold star on the forehead goes to the first person that identifies the really special cork in the second photo. It's special because its wine is far more expensive and historic than any of the wines associated with the other corks.

[bnnrcn]

I agree with Barbara, they are both nice in their own ways

[Rob Ekins]

Definitely #2 for me,

The lighting is beautiful, biting in parts yet delicate in others. Top lighting this scene was a great move, doing so brings the texture and shapes to life.

I can't offer an opinion on the expensive cork but if you had have swapped the cork labelled Volnay with the one CL that reads F10 a virtual photography nerd Gold Star would be in the mail from me.

[Bobobird]

and.... The remake wins.

[Brownbear]

Hi Mike,

I adore both images but prefer the remake for arrangement of the corks and the gorgeous detail/texture throughout.

Without a doubt, Louis Latour 1996.

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks, everyone! Though I appreciate everyone piping in about which image you prefer, keep in mind that my wife prefers the remake and that hers is the only opinion that matters for obvious reasons to this photographer who wants to remain married.

if you had have swapped the cork labelled Volnay with the one CL that reads F10 a virtual photography nerd Gold Star would be in the mail from me.

I'll send you a virtual gold star for even noticing the F10. That connection with photography got past me. However, your willingness to so quickly substitute F10 for Volnay makes me think you're perhaps not aware of the reputation of Pinot Noir made in Volnay, especially a premier cru wine that came with that cork.

Without a doubt, Louis Latour 1996.

Sorry, Christina, but I'm gonna have to send you a virtual silver star rather than a gold star. The image displays that the cork is from Chateau Latour, not Maison Louis Latour. The former is a grand cru first growth Bordeaux and the latter is a terrific chateau that primarily makes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Burgundy including a portfolio of grand cru wines.

[Brownbear]

Sorry, Christina, but I'm gonna have to send you a virtual silver star rather than a gold star. The image displays that the cork is from Chateau Latour, not Maison Louis Latour. The former is a grand cru first growth Bordeaux and the latter is a terrific chateau that primarily makes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Burgundy including a portfolio of grand cru wines.

I'll take the silver star and trade it in on a later date in exchange for a photographic question. I'm not a wine expert like you, just familiar with a few favourites. I have been fortunate enough to try both Latours, and learning more about wine (and names) from your posts.

[Mike Buckley]

I have been fortunate enough to try both Latours

I remember that you have sampled some of the better Louis Latour wines. You are indeed very fortunate to have enjoyed both Latours!

[Donald]

It's wonderful to see an an idea, a concept, evolving and the different ways in which we approach the realisation of that idea based on our developing knowledge, skill, taste, etc, etc.

[Wavelength]

Nice images; i really like the images and the lighting in them

[Rebel]

A massive improvement for me in the second one, great image Mike!