first still life c&c

[barleymalt]

Just bought my first flash today. This is my first attempt at working with lights. Don't be nice.

2nd try:

 

[reznap]

Don't be nice.

HA.

Anyway... 10/10 for effort. I expected to open this thread and see a photo that had nothing to do with 'still life' and with poor lighting (and I didn't recognize your profile name so it has nothing to do with you). This photo was a big surprise to me.

The good: The lighting is interesting. The items you placed there are interesting.

The bad: The image is tilted. You need to rotate it like 5 degrees counterclockwise so the vertical lines are straight up and down.

The ugly: You cut off both the left and right sides.

I really want to like this image.. and I do anyway a little - but the cutting off of the bottles and book are unforgivable. Slap yourself on the wrist and try again.

I've had a few drinks so don't take me too seriously.

 

[barleymalt]

I appreciate the input! You're right about the tilt, I was hoping noone would notice haha. And I agree with you on the awkward crop.

 

[Trever1t]

subject arrangement is good! light a bit harsh on the bottle far left.

 

[cpeay]

I like it. Its an interesting subject

 

[barleymalt]

Thanks, and thanks! Looking at it again I really should of put up something to reflect a little light back on the top of the book to show some detail on the pages and light the wall a little. Guess I'll give it another shot tonight.

 

[Davor]

Okay so i think you have a nice composition going, has an interesting older look to it, i think you could desaturate the oranges just a tad to further the old look.

I don' think the cutting off the book and bottle is bad but you need to rotate the photo counter clock wise like mentioned before. Also i notice your shadows are a little bit too harsh and i would have defused the light a bit to get the softer shadow and then sharpened for the grunge feel.

 

[FoggyLens]

I really do like the arrangment. I agree with the bottel and book being cut off is unforgivable and really IMO yes the lighting is kinda really harsh.. Thanks for sharing and post it again!

 

[barleymalt]

Had another go at it..a little better light but far but I stilled messed up the framing :/

Shot using a piece of white paper as a diffuser this time, and a little bit of ceiling bounce.

 

[Davor]

Try desaturated the colors like you did in the first one, i think it might look better.

 

[barleymalt]

Try desaturated the colors like you did in the first one, i think it might look better.

Here it is with a bit of grunge.

 

[FoggyLens]

Its a lot better! Lighting is not as harsh as befor and you didnt cut off as much of the items in the shot.. lol. : )