Not everything is as an image appears.......

[Rita]

Mike, thanks for the feedback. I will reshoot tomorrow morning and see if I can get it better. I will post the results. The pencil sharpener is about 2.5" high by about 2" wide. The pencil is inserted at the back, directly opposite the crank and the shavings come out the bottom. When I turn the crank it turns the turntable but doesn't appear to have anything to do with the sharpening.

[Rita]

Thanks for the feedback Ted, and the spelling correction. My spelling has never been one of my strong points

[Rita]

Kris, I agree with the sound. I still remember how scratchy everything sounded. It is sad that our gramophone was given to a second hand shop

[selig1656]

Awesome pic and done so well.

[Rita]

I have attempted to incorporate the suggestions and here is take 2 with a square crop, vignette, and different lighting.

Am I on the right track?

[Rita]

Thank you Raymond

[Mike Buckley]

The latest version is far more appealing to me. The rounded shapes are more clearly defined and the subject appears to be more three-dimensional. I only wish you had kept the position of the subject in the second one that you used in the first one.

[Rita]

Thanks Mike. I also see the difference in the 3d look on this one. I think I missed having the same position in the second image because I was concentrating too much on getting the shadows. However, redoing it again and changing to the original position is easy enough to do Trying to learn how to light things is keeping my brain working overtime, but that is not a bad thing. Light, Science, and Magic is a wonderful book and one day I will really understand it.

[Mike Buckley]

When I mentioned the change in the composition, I forgot to mention that I even prefer the position of the handle in the first one. I'm a sucker for diagonals because of the strength they add to an image, so I noticed immediately that that diagonal is missing in the second one.

I think I missed having the same position in the second image because I was concentrating too much on getting the shadows.

That's understandable. However, consistently maintaining an effective workflow when setting up the scene is just as important as when doing the post-processing or cataloging. First compose the scene. Then light it. Then capture it.

[Rita]

Take 3 with the diagonal handle and closer to the original position.

[Rita]

That's understandable. However, consistently maintaining an effective workflow when setting up the scene is just as important as when doing the post-processing or cataloging. First compose the scene. Then light it. Then capture it.[/QUOTE]

I will try and keep that in mind

[Mike Buckley]

I really like the brightened area of the background. However, the nearest parts of the subject are no longer in focus. Always recheck your depth of field after re-positioning the subject.

[Rita]

Mike, I noticed that focus error too late. I need to get ready to go to work so I will try again tomorrow.