Measuring Cup Tryptich

[Mike Buckley]

Next month is the fifth anniversary of when I learned about a particular characteristic of the physics of light commonly called the Family of Angles. As this thread explains, I learned that once we understand the Family of Angles, it is possible to shine a bright light directly upon a shiny metal object to make it appear nearly black or nearly white or something in between depending on how we want it to appear. Nothing has impacted my approach to tabletop photography during the last five years as much as learning how to take advantage of the Family of Angles. I had planned on making a photo next month that celebrates the anniversary of that incredible personal revelation, but I looked forward so much to making these three photos that I decided not to wait. Heck, I'm only a few days early.

The subjects are stainless steel measuring cups I have been using for about 20 years. The condiment in Photo #2 is turbinado cane sugar.

Photo #1 Setup
The background is black velvet. The subjects are suspended from a boom and rotated 90 degrees clockwise during post-processing. A small continuous-light lamp is on the right side. White reflectors on the left side and underneath the subjects brighten those areas of the rims.

Photo #2 Setup
The background is black velvet. A speed light is in the front left area close to the scene. Positioning it close created soft shadows.

Photo #3 Setup
The tabletop is black velvet. A small continuous-light lamp is in the right front area slightly above the scene. A white reflector on the right side brightens the edges of the three handles on the right. A white reflector above the subjects brightens the top surface of all of the handles.

[Shadowman]

Nice compositions.

[Wavelength]

That has been an excellent study; of course, i love the frozen time image the best

[bnnrcn]

All very nice , my fav is #2

[bje07]

I prefer # 2 too

[rpcrowe]

Nicely done. Excellent lighting!

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, everyone!