Attempting Still Life

[Gaerek]

Really had the bug to shoot something today, so decided to do something I haven't done much of at all really, shoot a still life. I don't have a lightbox or anything, so I used my kitchen counter (which is luckily white), on camera 430exii bounced off a white card and got this as a result. Looking for C&C to find out what I did wrong so I can do better next time.

This is my Mossberg 500 Mariner. Thought it might make a good subject. Thanks for any comments!

 

[photocist]

As a product shot, one would like to see the entire gun, unless the product is the shell.

 

[Gaerek]

Nah, not a product shot. Not really interested in that. Just a somewhat artsy shot of one of my toys. But you may be on to something anyway. Thanks for the comment!

 

[photocist]

If you were going for an artsy type shot, what were you trying to accomplish? If you wernt going for commercial photography, it looks to be a lighting test or something...

 

[Gaerek]

To be honest, what I was going for was pretty much what you see. Seeing the whole gun is fine for product photography, but it's not what I wanted. What you see there is the actually working part of the gun. You could theoretically cut everything you don't see in the shot off, and the gun would still fire. The shells provide a little color, a little interest and something to keep your eyes in frame. I've seen plenty of this type of shot of firearms before. Maybe it's one of those things where you need to be interested in firearms to truly appreciate this shot? I'm not sure. I really appreciate your point of view on this. Maybe when I get a chance I'll try a shot of the entire gun. I just don't see it being nearly as interesting in my minds eye as this shot.

 

[Gaerek]

Any other thoughts? I promise, I won't bump again.

 

[SrBiscuit]

comment 1: the mossy 500 is a beast. do you have the short barrel with breach tip on it?

comment 2: i find it slightly over exposed. i would shift your levels a bit or bump some contrast...maybe push your blacks a hair....

nice shot overall. i just think if you wanted to tweak a bit, it wouldnt hurt. :thumbup:

 

[Gaerek]

comment 1: the mossy 500 is a beast. do you have the short barrel with breach tip on it?

comment 2: i find it slightly over exposed. i would shift your levels a bit or bump some contrast...maybe push your blacks a hair....

nice shot overall. i just think if you wanted to tweak a bit, it wouldnt hurt. :thumbup:

No breach tip, but it does have the 18.5in barrel. Crappy bead sight on it, but looking at getting a ghost ring, or reflex put on. Very fun gun.

Thanks for the tips. The more I look at it, the more I think it's a bit overexposed. Pretty easy fix. Thanks for the comments.