Another funeral urn

Gallery: POP PhotosPosted March 10, 201385 views7 comments

I have tried to incorporate the comments made in my earlier funeral urn post into this one. I do feel as if I am pushing the limits of my current understanding of the trade-offs in lighting in these making images of these pieces. One has to capture the mica flakes, the forms, etc.; but not incur too much specular reflectance, all within the limits of trying to present a realistic image for a potential buyer. It's a balancing act to be sure, and while I have not mastered it as yet, I thought I'd post this one for those who tried to help me on the earlier one and for anyone else would care to comment.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on March 10, 2013 at 1:52 PM

John,
Both shots look good to me and this one is outstanding, I can easily imagine this in the pages of any of the high end catalogs.
More importantly, your wife does some beautiful work, what a talented pair you two are . . .

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on March 10, 2013 at 5:12 PM

To someone like me who does not know much about studio lighting this looks excellent! It's interesting the confusion that happens when I look at the center of the vessel...I expect it to be empty but it bulges out! Wonderful efforts by both you & your wife!

Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments

Comment posted by Danny on March 10, 2013 at 6:13 PM

I'm not good with lighting like this, but I think it looks fine to be honest. I like the subtle shadow and the vignette look around it.

Danny.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 165 Posts, 1345 Comments

Comment posted by John Clulow on March 10, 2013 at 8:00 PM

OK, here is my take on these comments; I don't really give a damn as to whether those of you who decided to comment "know someting" about studio lighting. I know all of you, each one.

And so if it looks OK to you (and it looks OK to me too) , that is all I really need to know.

Because these images will be seen by people who basically have no clue whatsoever, people who have 1/1000 th your understanding. So when you say it's OK, I'm going with that. Thanks!

Registered on November 1, 2012, 155 Posts, 1079 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Staubus on March 10, 2013 at 11:59 PM

If you want to dig deeper into this, pick up a copy of the book, "Light: Science & Magic." You will learn a considerable amount very quickly. Shot looks nice to me. Other things to try might be placing it in a pyramid shaped tent made of sheer white fabric. Another might be using a silver reflector opposite the light and a silver umbrella to pick up the mica flecks. Just a thought.

Kent in SD

Registered on November 11, 2003, 121 Posts, 2098 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on March 11, 2013 at 2:26 AM

from my perspective the shot is outstanding, nice details, great work with light, even background is given feelings of infinity, well done. What I would probably try is to make a little bit more artistic feelings with different lighting -different colors of light, light beam or even cool natural background,,,,,,,, tones of possibilities. Bottom line the shot is outstanding , thanx for sharing

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by John Clulow on March 12, 2013 at 6:52 AM

Thanks for the encourgement, Verdon.

Kent, I checked out Light: Science and Magic and it looks to be everything you said and more. Thanks so much for suggesting it!

Registered on November 1, 2012, 155 Posts, 1079 Comments