She sells seashells

[chauncey]

Before I spend much time on the technique...how might I improve on it?
Candle was placed image left with mirror on the right
Balancing the candle flicker was the result of a four second SS at ISO 100 and f/8 and stacking.

[NorthernFocus]

I like it. An even darker BG might work. And a matte black stand to eliminate the glare at bottom left. But the lighting on the shells themselves is lovely.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi William,

I think Dan has got it covered on the improvements aspect; definitely the glare on the stand needs to be toned way down or eliminated by 'flagging' the candle, putting just that bit in shadow.

After that, yes, a slightly darker background wouldn't hurt.

Still nice though and although I missed the mention of stacking in the text on first reading, I realised you must have done so to achieve that DoF.

Very nice - although I do feel cheated out of a 'she' - I was expecting it might have been a street (beach) portrait from the thread title

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[Geoff F]

Most of the left edges seem a fraction on the over bright side to me. Certainly an excellent idea.

[chauncey]

This was the first time using candles...gotta work on technique...it is viable though.

[IzzieK]

Beautiful, William! How long did it take you to set this one up?

[bnnrcn]

I loved it William