creators
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Playing
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hil26
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Nice watch - was it at an angle to the camera? DOF seeems to go out looking at the 120 and 240 marks
Second hand lovely and sharp
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creators
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I had it angled to get the second hand and the foreground numbers, I had to have the camera at a weird angle to get the shot I wanted.
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Evolution104
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I like this 
Excellent dof to isolate the seconds hand, and yet you kept some of the numbers in focus as well.
Deeper focus would have diluted the interest I think.
If anything, I might like to see an even shallower dof to really make the seconds hand really pop.
Nice colours too! And no abberations - no dust, no scratches, no fingerprints, no reflections ...
Perfect!
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creators
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Thanks very much for your comment John. This was the setup, just in case you'd like to see it.
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Evolution104
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That's something I need to spend some effort on.
I've always pretty much been a landscape/nature photographer, and I always improvise on kit for still-life/studio shots. That usually means using a single desk lamp with a quartz halogen lamp (as close to white as I can manage). My recent closeups for the alphabet challenge used an overhead incandescent and a flashlight (torch?) to minimize shadows, and a black t-shirt as a background. I can see the advantage of multiple light sources to reduce shadows.
Thanks for sharing your setup - I have actually considered doing the same on occasion. I think that can be very interesting and educational. Pro setups are the holy grail, but I love seeing the "McGuyver" versions!
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creators
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I'm slowly getting some kit together, but until I do a course in studio work it's mostly wasted on me at the moment. The desk lamps are invaluable though. This is what I currently have, all clumped together.
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Evolution104
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Compared to me - you have a pro kit 
Maybe the next time I do a closeup, I'll capture my setup and share the mess I usually end up with 
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creators
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That'd be great, I love being nosy, seeing what people are doing behind the scenes. A bit like photoshop really, I enjoy the process as much as I enjoy the results.
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Evolution104
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Yeah, it'll be good for a laugh.
I use paper towels for reflectors, shirts for backdrops and flashlights for fill-lighting 
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creators
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What'll be good for me is to see the effect of the setup in the shot because I haven't developed an eye for indoor work yet. It's still incredibly hit or miss, that awful floundering feeling. Which is why I need to do a course. I had two requests from models this month to do some portfolio work and I refused out of the sheer embarrassment of my ignorance. It would have been an opportunity to learn but I couldn't face it. Sad but true.
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jonH
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you're only going to _really_ learn by doing!
why not try and find some recommendations of books to read - fair enough you don't get the benefit of face-to-face tuition but the outlay is considerably less than a course.
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creators
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| jonH wrote: | you're only going to _really_ learn by doing!
why not try and find some recommendations of books to read - fair enough you don't get the benefit of face-to-face tuition but the outlay is considerably less than a course. |
Oddly enough, I dug out the manual that came with the lights I've got, last night. The first time I looked at it it all made as much sense as a fish with a bike, but having done some messing about, it might be easier to absorb now, and, as you say, if I set situations up per the book, I'll see by doing. So thanks for the suggestion. The other benefit of doing a course, though, is confidence, which is something that develops around others easier than from trial and error alone.
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sean
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I'm loving this email thread. It's really great to see conversations where people share their knowledge like this.
When I get the spare bedroom finished I'd like to turn it into a studio. I've been looking at the Elinchron & Bowens kits, but with the results the mighty Creators has got, it just goes to show that a bit of imagination and know-how you don't need to spend a fortune on top-end kit.
I quite like the comment about making the second hand the primary focal point, but would this be close to impossible without Photoshopping the rest if the face with a blur?
Creators - can you do this without cheating?!
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creators
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I'll have a go Sean, I think you're probably right but I'll try.
If anyone got here quick enough to notice that this post has changed, it's because I completely misread and misunderstood Seans post. Duh.
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creators
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Cor, that was challenging and I still haven't got it how I envisioned it. Never mind. I increased the angle of the camera to the watch face to force the DoF issue. It gets pretty dramatic.
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creators
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| sean wrote: |
When I get the spare bedroom finished I'd like to turn it into a studio. I've been looking at the Elinchron & Bowens kits, but with the results the mighty Creators has got, it just goes to show that a bit of imagination and know-how you don't need to spend a fortune on top-end kit.
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Had I had the dosh, I'd have gone for a more sophisticated lighting rig, but the real problem for me has been not understanding the first thing about how to use any lighting. Having never done a course or any study about studio lighting, it has been painful, and I mean that, trial and error. Mostly error. I actually feel now that something is starting to sink in. My trouble is I get discouraged too easily, so everything is a lot slower because of that.
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Evolution104
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I like this! Superb colours and dof. A fav!
| creators wrote: | Cor, that was challenging and I still haven't got it how I envisioned it. Never mind. I increased the angle of the camera to the watch face to force the DoF issue. It gets pretty dramatic.
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creators
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Thanks John, trying to focus on the second hand sweep was a nightmare, my eyesight just ain't that good any more. A magnifying eye cup is a must and next on the list.
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jonH
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really like the latest attempt; nice one!
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sean
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That's a pretty good shot at it - very impressed with your attempts at this subject. Even with a good macro lens and decent lighting it would still be quite tough to represent such a shallow depth.
For what it's worth, don't get discouraged - it's the one thing that can set you back for no real reason and is something I kick myself about from time to time! I can be my own worst enemy at times... 
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creators
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Thanks Sean. "I can be my own worst enemy at times..." In so far as this is concerned, I think I can safely say 'always'. I think every manual and book should start with encouraging an attitude of playfulness.
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hil26
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| creators wrote: | | Thanks Sean. "I can be my own worst enemy at times..." In so far as this is concerned, I think I can safely say 'always'. I think every manual and book should start with encouraging an attitude of playfulness. |
Keith - that shot is much better, in fact it's very good. Have you tried softening the lighting from the desk lamps to see what that would give? I have no idea but would love to see the effect it might give, as not too sure that they may be a shade too bright. I have not done any work with lighting so please excuse if I am wide of the mark
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creators
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| hil26 wrote: |
Keith - that shot is much better, in fact it's very good. Have you tried softening the lighting from the desk lamps to see what that would give? I have no idea but would love to see the effect it might give, as not too sure that they may be a shade too bright. I have not done any work with lighting so please excuse if I am wide of the mark |
Dave, I have no idea if you are wide of the mark or not, until I try it. So your suggestion is very welcome. I am looking at a decent soft box for the flash unit, but the desk lamps need some Heath Robinson contraptions. Everything I am doing is Heath Robinson! Watch this space and thanks. Just for the record, I'll be trying grease proof paper.
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creators
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I have no idea....
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hil26
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Ditto - earlier one appears better, maybe its the grease proof paper? LOL
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creators
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| hil26 wrote: | | Ditto - earlier one appears better, maybe its the grease proof paper? LOL |
I think you're right, it isn't a subject that is suitable for soft lighting. Hindsight, marvelous stuff. Good to experiment though.
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