'Studio style' shots

[Graham.J]

I was browsing www.warehouseexpress.com and came across some 'still life' tables, I thought I could probably knock up my own affair with some sheets of paper, make some reflectors the same way and test out the new flash.

Couldn't really think of anything in my room to photograph until staring at my desk looking for inspiration (as you do).

Simple shots, I tried different angles, cropped, levels slightly adjusted and brightness/contrast slightly adjusted.







I've never done this before, so don't know where I've gone wrong, what I could/should do to make certain aspects better etc

All feedback welcomed

Graham

>>> Edited by Graham.J on Monday 31st January 03:16

[rico]

I like them. Shows a great DOF aspect to the photo.

[docevi1]

Whats most impressive about these shots is that you took them "blind" - you can't have been wearing your glasses

I'm long sighted and have to wear glasses for close up work hence my comment

[murph7355]

Think the first one's the best one.

Not too sure which part is the subject of the image though. And with DOF like that, you need to be careful what you focus on.

Perhaps put the subjects closer together, and maybe be a bit more ruthless with the crop?



Like the B&W. Wonder what it might have looked like had you written something on the page too...

[gravymaster]

Love the first one.

Matt

[rico]

murph7355 said:

Wonder what it might have looked like had you written something on the page too...

Thats a good point... Knowing Graham he'll try that out today and post up the result. Will look forward to seeing it!

[size13]

I did the same thing for one of my websites
www.wingandaprayer.co.uk

Couldn't find any suitable images for menu icons - so I did my own.



You can't see the written one very well, and I don't have the original large version with me.

[LongQ]

I think the composition of the first one works the best.

I suspect I would have tried for a little more DOF to get both spectacle lenses in focus but leave the arm behind out of focus. Likewise leave the far and of the pen out of focus. May have had to move it a touch but I don't think that would have upset the composition much if at all.

Good efforts for starters.

[Graham.J]

murph7355 said:

Wonder what it might have looked like had you written something on the page too...

I was thinking about this. I actually spent about 40 mins trying to get a blob of ink to hang down, but it didn't work. I can never think of anything to write when I need to (I was the same in exams). I may give it a go later if I can think of something to write

I prefer your crop too, I'm still not very good at it

LongQ said:

I suspect I would have tried for a little more DOF to get both spectacle lenses in focus but leave the arm behind out of focus. Likewise leave the far and of the pen out of focus. May have had to move it a touch but I don't think that would have upset the composition much if at all.

I'll try and fire off some more shots later when I've woken up properly play around a bit

Thanks for the kind words folks

[murph7355]

All subjective, and practice makes perfect.

The pen on its own, with some writing might have looked pretty cool too.

As for what to write, with the angle you're at on the first one it probably wouldn't matter

[Graham.J]

murph7355 said:

As for what to write, with the angle you're at on the first one it probably wouldn't matter

good point.

I'll set it up later and fire off some different shots, thanks for the ideas guys

[bilko2]

Excellent mate
I love those simple still life shots ( i must try some ).
the first one is the best imo.
Just taken mine off to have a look and i can't see a bloody thing
The lighting is good too, i would say almost refreshing
The last two are good but i have tried to figure out why the first works best, can't put my finger on it.
How did you frame it?, I'm gonna have to get rid of elements and reload PS7.

[Graham.J]

I must admit, I prefer the first too, don't know why, just do
The lighting, was basically just lots of white paper, under it, behind it, and 2 A4 sheets either side, angled towards the subject, and a flash.

Framing was very simple, I resized the original to 25%, duplicated the layer in photoshop, add an inner glow, black, precise, about 1px, just try and get it sharp. Then upped the canvas size by 100px wide and 100px high and then made sure the border was crisp, flatten image and save

[pdV6]

bilko2 said:

i have tried to figure out why the first works best, can't put my finger on it.

Dunno - I reckon the angle of the arm of the glasses makes it work?

[_dobbo_]

bilko2 said:

Excellent mate I love those simple still life shots ( i must try some ). the first one is the best imo. Just taken mine off to have a look and i can't see a bloody thing The lighting is good too, i would say almost refreshing The last two are good but i have tried to figure out why the first works best, can't put my finger on it. How did you frame it?, I'm gonna have to get rid of elements and reload PS7.

I second that - updated PS6 to elements 3 and in my opinion it's shite - a massive step backwards in functionality all in exchange for being able to open NEF files.

Time to buy a cheap copy of photoshop CS from ebay methinks...

[Graham.J]

Ok I've had another go with the writing on the page, couldn't think of anything off the top of my head so did a paragraph from Julius Caesar, and tried cropping more.

Took me a while to try and get it as close to the first one of the last lot I did but I think I got it near enough.



....although on looking back I think I've brightened that up a little too much

This might be better....



The original is here - http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/GrahamBY/wordspenglassRS.jpg

>> Edited by Graham.J on Tuesday 1st February 00:23

>> Edited by Graham.J on Tuesday 1st February 00:40

[V6GTO]

Graham,
Who did you get to do the joined up writing?

Martin.

[pug406]

V6GTO said:

Graham, Who did you get to do the joined up writing? Martin.

Ah, but you will have noticed the lined paper

Dave

[Graham.J]

Actually, it's not joined up, just close together, I'm hopeless at joined up writing.

And yes I'll admit, I cannot write in a straight line, it all tends to go a bit wonky

[ErnestM]

For some reason, I would think the shot would look better with the paper flipped about 180 degrees (to the right). That way you would see the last lines written but the previous would fade into the background...

ErnestM