Crystal Fantasy ~ Gliding Through The Night

[JBW]

It was suggested that lighting from below through glass might work nicely. This was shot from below with my trusty flashlight through a tempered glass baking dish. Not quite sure how or why the background turned back. Here's the numbers:
ISO 100 ~ Shutter Speed 1/4s ~ F/16 ~ 20 Shot Stack In Fiji ~ Lit From Below Through A Tempered Glass Plate
Sony Alpha a58 ~ Tamron 90mm 272E

[Stagecoach]

I like it Brian.

Did you have to do much work in post to get the background as it is now, I'm curious?

[John 2]

The interesting thing Brian is the way it has brought out the facets. Might need a combination of that and some top light but others will be better placed than me on that. I like it though.

[JBW]

I like it Brian.

Did you have to do much work in post to get the background as it is now, I'm curious?

Strangely enough very little. A circular vignette, followed by a layers mask where I brought down the exposure and brightness.

Here's the original. I'm guessing that the light shining straight up blackened the bg?

[JBW]

The interesting thing Brian is the way it has brought out the facets. Might need a combination of that and some top light but others will be better placed than me on that. I like it though.

It certainly did bring out the facets. Rigging up a top light will be difficult but I'll see what I can do for the next shooting.

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[JBW]

Nicely done.

thanks. it's always good to find a new challenge

[Mike Buckley]

Both are a huge improvement to your first version but the last one is especially nice in my mind.

Thanks for the idea of using a glass plate. The only similar objects in my household are some glass baking dishes that are stained to various degrees from decades of use. Now that I've seen your photo, I can imagine how those stains could add attractive detail to the tabletop using lighting from below.

Rather than placing a light source above the subject because of the difficulty of doing so, consider propping up a white reflector above it. Perhaps also add some white reflectors to the front and sides areas.

For the opposite effect, consider using any white diffusion material as the background and shining a light source positioned behind it toward the subject and camera.

[JBW]

Both are a huge improvement to your first version but the last one is especially nice in my mind.

Thanks for the idea of using a glass plate. The only similar objects in my household are some glass baking dishes that are stained to various degrees from decades of use. Now that I've seen your photo, I can imagine how those stains could add attractive detail to the tabletop using lighting from below.

Rather than placing a light source above the subject because of the difficulty of doing so, consider propping up a white reflector above it. Perhaps also add some white reflectors to the front and sides areas.

For the opposite effect, consider using any white diffusion material as the background and shining a light source positioned behind it toward the subject and camera.

She Who must Be Obeyed is asking me to create one that sparkles. I think I'll be experimenting with your ideas

[Wavelength]

Cool shot

[Rita]

A cool shot Brian. I like the black bg because it is plain. If it wasn't plain it would distract from the goose, at least in my opinion
What I really like about this image is the bit of reflection under the goose, it makes it look like the goose is really in water. Well done.

[bnnrcn]

I find the original better Brian as the wider frame shows more of the light coming from under and also makes a better composition

Strangely enough very little. A circular vignette, followed by a layers mask where I brought down the exposure and brightness.

Here's the original. I'm guessing that the light shining straight up blackened the bg?

[JBW]

I find the original better Brian as the wider frame shows more of the light coming from under and also makes a better composition

fair enough