Salvador Dali's Martini - Thanks Derrel!

[tirediron]

While the composition isn't quite there (and I know the lemon needs work), thanks to Derrel's suggestion of overhead lighting, I'm much closer to the final image I have in mind then I was before. I tried lighting from below, but it didn't quite give me the look I was after.

 

[Ballistics]

My I suggest the dark field lighting technique? I think it is exactly what you are looking for.

 

[Ballistics]

Crossing Over To The Dark (Field) Has Never Been Easier | DIYPhotography.net

 

[tirediron]

That is dark-field lighting; black construction-paper flag on a 48" diffuser panel, with a speedlight behind.

 

[Ballistics]

That is dark-field lighting; black construction-paper flag on a 48" diffuser panel, with a speedlight behind.

But you're lighting it directly?

 

[tirediron]

Crossing Over To The Dark (Field) Has Never Been Easier | DIYPhotography.net

Cool - I like the Pringles snoot.

 

[Ballistics]

I use large pieces of white foam to bounce flash

 

[tirediron]

That is dark-field lighting; black construction-paper flag on a 48" diffuser panel, with a speedlight behind.

But you're lighting it directly?

No; primary lighting is pretty much exactly as shown here, but in an earlier post, Derrel had suggested I add some bounced overhead light to help illuminate the fruit, which I think worked well.

 

[oldhippy]

Can hardly wait for the burning giraffe. kidding aside, great shot. love the color. later Ed

 

[Rick58]

Crossing Over To The Dark (Field) Has Never Been Easier | DIYPhotography.net

Saved for future refernence

Really nice shot to the OP. Love the lighting :thumbup:

 

[Robin_Usagani]

The black looks fake. It looks like you increased the black or the contrast significantly. Does not look crisp at all. Something is really wrong.

 

[Don Kondra]

Hi John,

Not sure what editing you did to your original image but this is a further quickie in Elements 9.

Enhance > Adjust lighting > Levels. Set the white point on the white reflection on the top right side of the stem.

Enhance > Adjust lighting > Shadows/Highlights. Already forgotten which numbers I used

Cheers, Don

 

[tirediron]

Can hardly wait for the burning giraffe. kidding aside, great shot. love the color. later Ed

Thanks!

Crossing Over To The Dark (Field) Has Never Been Easier | DIYPhotography.net

Saved for future refernence
Really nice shot to the OP. Love the lighting

Thanks!

The black looks fake. It looks like you increased the black or the contrast significantly. Does not look crisp at all. Something is really wrong.

Ouch! Busted! Yep, the black is fake; at least to some extent. Because I was shooting outside (after 4-500 exposures there's club soda and maraschino cherries everywhere, much easier to clean up) things were a little brighter than I would have liked, and in a couple of spots there were 'wet' marks visible on the construction paper flags, so I took the easy way out.

Hi John,
Not sure what editing you did to your original image but this is a further quickie in Elements 9.
Enhance > Adjust lighting > Levels. Set the white point on the white reflection on the top right side of the stem.
Enhance > Adjust lighting > Shadows/Highlights. Already forgotten which numbers I used

Thanks Don, that looks good. Beyond a quick straighten and crop, nothing so far. I'm going to sit down this afternoon and go through the 15-20 keepers from yesterday and see if any are really worth processing all the way.

 

[cgipson1]

I played with it also.. my take is similar to Don's!

 

[tirediron]

Round two:

Oh, and could someone PLEASE explain why I'm putting so much effort into this????? :scratch: