critique my assignment...

Tim141245

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As an assignment for class tonite I needed to shoot a still life and well being we only get a half hour in studio time I opted to shoot it at home with my light that just arrived.(what timing!) Any feedback would be great. Maybe I should of used a reflector to get a little more light in the hole? I've learned a lot from this board already just by lurking.

Shot details:
125th @ f11 iso 100
Lit from above left diffused by a softbox. Boom sure would be nice. Oh well.



Thanks
Tim
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
 
Tim,

Good image. Biggest concern I would have is with the yellow crayon which is overexposed. Two options: possible use a gobo to kill some light on that crayon (which might be difficult considering the small size) and (2) shoot RAW and then just drop back the expose on that one crayon (this is easier and the route I would take).

................Zippy
As an assignment for class tonite I needed to shoot a still life
and well being we only get a half hour in studio time I opted to
shoot it at home with my light that just arrived.(what timing!) Any
feedback would be great. Maybe I should of used a reflector to get
a little more light in the hole? I've learned a lot from this board
already just by lurking.

Shot details:
125th @ f11 iso 100
Lit from above left diffused by a softbox. Boom sure would be nice.
Oh well.



Thanks
Tim
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
 
Thanks, Zippy. Can't believe I didn't notice it, but I guess that's what happens when you work on the same thing without taking a break. That yellow fellow is pretty overexposed. I'll drop down the exposure on it and hopefully get back some detail.
Good image. Biggest concern I would have is with the yellow crayon
which is overexposed. Two options: possible use a gobo to kill
some light on that crayon (which might be difficult considering the
small size) and (2) shoot RAW and then just drop back the expose on
that one crayon (this is easier and the route I would take).

................Zippy
As an assignment for class tonite I needed to shoot a still life
and well being we only get a half hour in studio time I opted to
shoot it at home with my light that just arrived.(what timing!) Any
feedback would be great. Maybe I should of used a reflector to get
a little more light in the hole? I've learned a lot from this board
already just by lurking.

Shot details:
125th @ f11 iso 100
Lit from above left diffused by a softbox. Boom sure would be nice.
Oh well.



Thanks
Tim
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
 
Am wondering if the straight down shot is the most visually interesting? Did you play with composing from the side? Maybe something including a bit more of the holder? kevin
 
Tim,

If the yellow crayon is over-saturated, you might not be able to get detail back in post. You might want to re-shoot 1/2 to 1 stop darker, and then push the rest of the image, leaving the yellow crayon as shot.

An easy way to do this is with the magic wand tool. Adjust the tolerance until you get the crayon selected, feather the selection slightly, invert the selection, and then create a levels (or curves) adjustment layer with the selection active. PS will create a layer mask for you, and you can fine-tune the mask until it looks good.

You can also go to the channels palette and command click (control click on windows?) on the RGB composite channel. This creates a selection based on the luminance of the image. You can then go to quick mask mode to convert the selection to a mask, tweak levels (on the mask) to push the darker areas of the image to black, and paint with a soft black brush to paint away everything but the crayon. Then invert your mask, switch out of quick mask mode, and apply a levels adjustment layer to the image as described above.

Duncan C
----
Good image. Biggest concern I would have is with the yellow crayon
which is overexposed. Two options: possible use a gobo to kill
some light on that crayon (which might be difficult considering the
small size) and (2) shoot RAW and then just drop back the expose on
that one crayon (this is easier and the route I would take).

................Zippy
As an assignment for class tonite I needed to shoot a still life
and well being we only get a half hour in studio time I opted to
shoot it at home with my light that just arrived.(what timing!) Any
feedback would be great. Maybe I should of used a reflector to get
a little more light in the hole? I've learned a lot from this board
already just by lurking.

Shot details:
125th @ f11 iso 100
Lit from above left diffused by a softbox. Boom sure would be nice.
Oh well.



Thanks
Tim
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
--
dpreview and PBase supporter.



http://www.pbase.com/duncanc
 
I like it. The only thing I'm not thrilled about is the bright white surround. It just seems a little stark when juxaposed with the organic look of the mug and crayons. The two "looks" don't go together, imho.

Regards,
Paul
http://www.pbase.com/pgrupp
As an assignment for class tonite I needed to shoot a still life
and well being we only get a half hour in studio time I opted to
shoot it at home with my light that just arrived.(what timing!) Any
feedback would be great. Maybe I should of used a reflector to get
a little more light in the hole? I've learned a lot from this board
already just by lurking.

Shot details:
125th @ f11 iso 100
Lit from above left diffused by a softbox. Boom sure would be nice.
Oh well.



Thanks
Tim
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
 
As an assignment for class tonite I needed to shoot a still life
and well being we only get a half hour in studio time I opted to
shoot it at home with my light that just arrived.(what timing!) Any
feedback would be great. Maybe I should of used a reflector to get
a little more light in the hole? I've learned a lot from this board
already just by lurking.

Shot details:
125th @ f11 iso 100
Lit from above left diffused by a softbox. Boom sure would be nice.
Oh well.



Thanks
Tim
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
Joe Peoples writes:

After doing photo illustration for so many years, I think in terms of telling a story. The white area, on the table surface, is an ideal place for something...perhaps a child's drawing (which doesn't have to be an elaborate work of art) and a few crayons out of the jar would add depth. Play around and see what develops.
 
As an assignment for class tonite I needed to shoot a still life
and well being we only get a half hour in studio time I opted to
shoot it at home with my light that just arrived.(what timing!) Any
feedback would be great. Maybe I should of used a reflector to get
a little more light in the hole? I've learned a lot from this board
already just by lurking.

Shot details:
125th @ f11 iso 100
Lit from above left diffused by a softbox. Boom sure would be nice.
Oh well.



Thanks
Tim
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
Joe Peoples writes:

After doing photo illustration for so many years, I think in terms
of telling a story. The white area, on the table surface, is an
ideal place for something...perhaps a child's drawing (which
doesn't have to be an elaborate work of art) and a few crayons out
of the jar would add depth. Play around and see what develops.
--
http://www.pbase.com/pbym/root
 
Duncan,

Thanks for the reply. It's always interesting to me to see how other photographers' go about doing their work. Using the channel method never occured to me before, but it seems very valid based on how bad that yellow crayon is glowing in my photo. :) I'll give it a shot.

Thanks again.
If the yellow crayon is over-saturated, you might not be able to
get detail back in post. You might want to re-shoot 1/2 to 1 stop
darker, and then push the rest of the image, leaving the yellow
crayon as shot.

An easy way to do this is with the magic wand tool. Adjust the
tolerance until you get the crayon selected, feather the selection
slightly, invert the selection, and then create a levels (or
curves) adjustment layer with the selection active. PS will create
a layer mask for you, and you can fine-tune the mask until it looks
good.

You can also go to the channels palette and command click (control
click on windows?) on the RGB composite channel. This creates a
selection based on the luminance of the image. You can then go to
quick mask mode to convert the selection to a mask, tweak levels
(on the mask) to push the darker areas of the image to black, and
paint with a soft black brush to paint away everything but the
crayon. Then invert your mask, switch out of quick mask mode, and
apply a levels adjustment layer to the image as described above.

Duncan C
----
Good image. Biggest concern I would have is with the yellow crayon
which is overexposed. Two options: possible use a gobo to kill
some light on that crayon (which might be difficult considering the
small size) and (2) shoot RAW and then just drop back the expose on
that one crayon (this is easier and the route I would take).

................Zippy
As an assignment for class tonite I needed to shoot a still life
and well being we only get a half hour in studio time I opted to
shoot it at home with my light that just arrived.(what timing!) Any
feedback would be great. Maybe I should of used a reflector to get
a little more light in the hole? I've learned a lot from this board
already just by lurking.

Shot details:
125th @ f11 iso 100
Lit from above left diffused by a softbox. Boom sure would be nice.
Oh well.



Thanks
Tim
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
--
dpreview and PBase supporter.



http://www.pbase.com/duncanc
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
 
Good point Kevin and I actually did have about four shots I had trouble deciding on. Most being wider shots that showed more of the can. My roommates and I seemed to agree on this one though. Here's one of the wider shots I was debating on.


Am wondering if the straight down shot is the most visually
interesting? Did you play with composing from the side? Maybe
something including a bit more of the holder? kevin
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
 
Paul,

Funny you should metion that. Just got back from class and my proff. liked the photo, but thought the same about the white space.
Maybe a broken crayon or some kid inspired scribbly type lines?
Regards,
Paul
http://www.pbase.com/pgrupp
As an assignment for class tonite I needed to shoot a still life
and well being we only get a half hour in studio time I opted to
shoot it at home with my light that just arrived.(what timing!) Any
feedback would be great. Maybe I should of used a reflector to get
a little more light in the hole? I've learned a lot from this board
already just by lurking.

Shot details:
125th @ f11 iso 100
Lit from above left diffused by a softbox. Boom sure would be nice.
Oh well.



Thanks
Tim
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
--
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
 
I agree Joe and I'll have all the time in the world to play around with things as tomorrow is my last day of class and spring break starts for me. Maybe I could catch a tan from working under my strobe?
As an assignment for class tonite I needed to shoot a still life
and well being we only get a half hour in studio time I opted to
shoot it at home with my light that just arrived.(what timing!) Any
feedback would be great. Maybe I should of used a reflector to get
a little more light in the hole? I've learned a lot from this board
already just by lurking.

Shot details:
125th @ f11 iso 100
Lit from above left diffused by a softbox. Boom sure would be nice.
Oh well.



Thanks
Tim
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
Joe Peoples writes:

After doing photo illustration for so many years, I think in terms
of telling a story. The white area, on the table surface, is an
ideal place for something...perhaps a child's drawing (which
doesn't have to be an elaborate work of art) and a few crayons out
of the jar would add depth. Play around and see what develops.
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
 
Paul,
Funny you should metion that. Just got back from class and my
proff. liked the photo, but thought the same about the white space.
Maybe a broken crayon or some kid inspired scribbly type lines?
or maybe a rusted piece of metal as a background, not just a piece, the whole background. Or a large stone on wich you can rest the pot of crayon.

Georges J.
 
Yup, or maybe something more organic -- some weathered boards, a bamboo mat. . .
Regards,
Paul
http://www.pbase.com/pgrupp
As an assignment for class tonite I needed to shoot a still life
and well being we only get a half hour in studio time I opted to
shoot it at home with my light that just arrived.(what timing!) Any
feedback would be great. Maybe I should of used a reflector to get
a little more light in the hole? I've learned a lot from this board
already just by lurking.

Shot details:
125th @ f11 iso 100
Lit from above left diffused by a softbox. Boom sure would be nice.
Oh well.



Thanks
Tim
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
--
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
--

Regards,
Paul
http://www.pbase.com/pgrupp
 
Tim-

I looked at your site and your stuff is really good. I love the story you did on the governor coming to a small town.
Great stuff.
Sarah
http://www.sarahmccolgan.com/new
Good image. Biggest concern I would have is with the yellow crayon
which is overexposed. Two options: possible use a gobo to kill
some light on that crayon (which might be difficult considering the
small size) and (2) shoot RAW and then just drop back the expose on
that one crayon (this is easier and the route I would take).

................Zippy
As an assignment for class tonite I needed to shoot a still life
and well being we only get a half hour in studio time I opted to
shoot it at home with my light that just arrived.(what timing!) Any
feedback would be great. Maybe I should of used a reflector to get
a little more light in the hole? I've learned a lot from this board
already just by lurking.

Shot details:
125th @ f11 iso 100
Lit from above left diffused by a softbox. Boom sure would be nice.
Oh well.



Thanks
Tim
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
 
Thanks Sarah, as you could probably tell I found the citizens more interesting than I did the governor. It's not often that a small town is rocked with that kind of excitement and it showed in some of their faces. Shooting that and the in-home beauty salon in consetive days was a lot of fun. It definately served as a nice reminder as to why I like taking photos, the people. You have some very compelling images yourself. The one of the little boy with the gun with the confederate flag in the background is very telling of a racial climate. Nice capture. So too is the nuke the sob one. Nice work. I also really like the shot of the guy sitting next to the basketball. Not sure if it's the composition or the color used in the shot, but something about it appeals to me. Or maybe it's both.

Tim
Good image. Biggest concern I would have is with the yellow crayon
which is overexposed. Two options: possible use a gobo to kill
some light on that crayon (which might be difficult considering the
small size) and (2) shoot RAW and then just drop back the expose on
that one crayon (this is easier and the route I would take).

................Zippy
As an assignment for class tonite I needed to shoot a still life
and well being we only get a half hour in studio time I opted to
shoot it at home with my light that just arrived.(what timing!) Any
feedback would be great. Maybe I should of used a reflector to get
a little more light in the hole? I've learned a lot from this board
already just by lurking.

Shot details:
125th @ f11 iso 100
Lit from above left diffused by a softbox. Boom sure would be nice.
Oh well.



Thanks
Tim
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
--
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
 
Thanks Tim,

I was doing the fashion thing for a while, and I actually just started on the Portrait series. So I havent had much feedback, Thanks for the opinions.
Tim
Good image. Biggest concern I would have is with the yellow crayon
which is overexposed. Two options: possible use a gobo to kill
some light on that crayon (which might be difficult considering the
small size) and (2) shoot RAW and then just drop back the expose on
that one crayon (this is easier and the route I would take).

................Zippy
As an assignment for class tonite I needed to shoot a still life
and well being we only get a half hour in studio time I opted to
shoot it at home with my light that just arrived.(what timing!) Any
feedback would be great. Maybe I should of used a reflector to get
a little more light in the hole? I've learned a lot from this board
already just by lurking.

Shot details:
125th @ f11 iso 100
Lit from above left diffused by a softbox. Boom sure would be nice.
Oh well.



Thanks
Tim
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
--
--
Like André Kertész, I write with light.
http://photo.timgruber.com
--
http://www.sarahmccolgan.com
 

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