Studio Style

[Dogsey]

Inspired by Famous Grahams use of a monitor as a back drop I tried out a few different items out tonight to see how I got on. Overall I'm fairly happy, most of these shots have only really had a very small curves adjustment and a subtle sharpening.

C&C would be lovely.

1.


2.


3.


4.


Full set can be seen here

[4hero]

Nice set of shots! Did you diffuse the light at all? I had a go at something similar a while back:



And the setup, 1 roll of black paper (£5 from any office store), and 1 sheet of perspex from b&q (£10). The diffuser didn't even cost a tenner.



Good idea with the monitor though

[Dogsey]

Thanks Neil. I didn't use a diffuser at all, infact the whole setup consisted of my camera with flashgun mounted on top and my computer cupboard. I just bounced the flash off the inside of the cupboard to light the objects from the side. This was my first real attempt at using flash creatively and overall I'm very pleased with the results, it's definitely something I'll try again.

[paul911]

Nice guys, I had a play too. Dogsey what angle did you have the light at, 45deg to the camera as per Neils? Need to play a bit more I think, good fun tinkering though.

[Dogsey]

I had the flash pointing between 75 and 90 degrees to the camera then bouncing off the inside of the cupboard (maybe around 18" from the flash).

[Dogsey]

Bump for the Monday morning bunch, I'd still like to hear more C&C on these.

TIA.

Mike.

[SamHH]

Dogsey said:

Bump for the Monday morning bunch, I'd still like to hear more C&C on these.

TIA.

Mike.

They look pretty good to me. My main criticism would be the amount of reflections in 2, 3 and 4. I looks like you can see your head above the label on the oil and whatever is reflecting in the rim (if that's what it's called) of the drum is distracting. I don't do much of that sort of photography so I don't know what to suggest, other than maybe a more diffused light source and being careful about what is behind the lens, reflecting in the subject. Also, the pedestal thing you're using is a bit obtrusive, most obviously in 4 and, being really picky, it very slightly detracts from the other three as well.

[Dogsey]

SamHH said:

They look pretty good to me. My main criticism would be the amount of reflections in 2, 3 and 4. I looks like you can see your head above the label on the oil and whatever is reflecting in the rim (if that's what it's called) of the drum is distracting. I don't do much of that sort of photography so I don't know what to suggest, other than maybe a more diffused light source and being careful about what is behind the lens, reflecting in the subject. Also, the pedestal thing you're using is a bit obtrusive, most obviously in 4 and, being really picky, it very slightly detracts from the other three as well.

Thanks Sam, you're right that the reflections are distracting in a number of the shots. This was only a first play with this technique and I've already learnt plenty, the main thing being to take note of the reflections more!

[Simpo Two]

With reflective subjects you have to light two things - the subject and also the room behind you!