Could I have some lemon aid, please: My first stab at this water drop thingy. It was tedious, aggravating, and fun. Please tell me what I coulda, shoulda done to have gotten better...

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

My first stab at this water drop thingy. It was tedious, aggravating, and fun. Please tell me what I coulda, shoulda done to have gotten better results.

I had a heck of a time getting the drops to stick on the thorn. I tried straight water; glycerin mixed with water; oil. I tried spraying it on and using a dropper to drop it on. Is it always so difficult? My lighting was poor and of course, my light ring just reflected off the water drops so I couldn't use that. I used a black posterboard for a backdrop, but the water drops caught the top of the wall and the ceiling. Any recommendations for a cheap photo tent (I haven't bought anything new for my photography in almost a week)?

Nonetheless, as it was my first time out of the starting gate, I was pretty pleased with the shots, but, of course, want to be much, much better. All help and suggestions concerning the photography appreciated. I have not yet gotten into any PP -- I can only tackle one thing at a time.

All shot with Canon 60D; Canon 100mm Macro.

1.6"' F/22; 400iso

4"; f/32; 640iso

2MATO Loc: CNY -Central NoWhere

I'd be happy to get that far! Thanks for documenting the learning process, your persistence, the settings, and your results. You have what it takes to improve and enjoy this photographic adventure.

Thank you for sharing.

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

2MATO wrote:

I'd be happy to get that far! Thanks for documenting the learning process, your persistence, the settings, and your results. You have what it takes to improve and enjoy this photographic adventure.

Thank you for sharing.

Thanks for your encouragement. When the monsoon here is over it should leave behind plenty of natural water droplets to use. The downside will be the mosquitos who love that habitat and will make the photo shoot hell. Maybe the welts they leave on my skin will make for some good macro shots!

wonkytripod Loc: Peterborough UK

STVest wrote:

My first stab at this water drop thingy. It was t... (show quote)

Excellent set. Wish I had your patience. I think I'd need a large scotch. :thumbup: :thumbup:

RaydancePhoto

STVest wrote:

My first stab at this water drop thingy. It was t... (show quote)

I think you did great on the pics. A cheap flat black cloth from the fabric store would work well for a backdrop. A clip on lamp from the hardware store (2 of them) with flood lights, would work great on this type of shot.

Photog8 Loc: Morriston, FL

I like #2. Good image repetition. Light is not bad...but I wonder what a slight lightening of the photo would do. What combination of water, oil and glycerin worked the best? Keep experimenting. ;-)

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

wonkytripod wrote:

Excellent set. Wish I had your patience. I think I'd need a large scotch. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Thanks Wonky for your generous comment. Hmmmm. Scotch. Do you think scotchdrops would create a good sepia tone?

wonkytripod Loc: Peterborough UK

STVest wrote:

Thanks Wonky for your generous comment. Hmmmm. Scotch. Do you think scotchdrops would create a good sepia tone?

Im not sure, but after enough I probably wouldn't care.
:thumbup: :thumbup:

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

RaydancePhoto wrote:

I think you did great on the pics. A cheap flat black cloth from the fabric store would work well for a backdrop. A clip on lamp from the hardware store (2 of them) with flood lights, would work great on this type of shot.

Thanks. I really appreciate all the encouraging comments. I have some clip on lamps around here somewhere. But, as I didn't start my shooting 'til midnight:30, the rest of the household was already complaining that I was disturbing their leisure so I didn't go tearing through closets looking for those lamps. Meanwhile, I have realized that I have a never used large desk in a seldom used room that will provide an excellent place to set up for tabletop shooting -- just as soon as I can find a place for all the things that have mysteriously accumulated on that desktop.

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Photog8 wrote:

I like #2. Good image repetition. Light is not bad...but I wonder what a slight lightening of the photo would do. What combination of water, oil and glycerin worked the best? Keep experimenting. ;-)

Thanks, Photog8. I didn't have any luck with the glycerin mix (but had no idea what proportions to try) and no luck with the oil. I finally ended up using plain ole water applied with an eye dropper and just kept dropping till some finally held.

I bought Photoshop when I bought the camera but haven't even loaded it on my computer. As yet, I know NOTHING about PP. I am using the software that came with the camera and the only thing I have done with it is crop - until now. This is #2 with the brightness, saturation, and contrast all bumped up a little. I like that the background lemons are better defined and I like the golden tones. Ya think?

Improved?

Photog8 Loc: Morriston, FL

Darken ever-so-slightly and I think you have it. Good job. Of course, it is what you like that counts. ;-)

Pictxterowner 3 D sbs

STVest wrote:

An archive is simply storage -- it may or may not be previously published or uploaded or whatever.

I wish I could take credit for any "delightful perfect" shot. I've never taken a 3D photo. You must have been looking at someone else's work. If you find it really was me, tell me where it is -- I'd love to see it! Maybe I have multiple personality disorder.

stv 3 d

slightly modified version

Pictxterowner 3 D sbs

well I love it to death I have never got to see a 3 D lemon drop before :-P

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Pictxterowner wrote:

well I love it to death I have never got to see a 3 D lemon drop before :-P

Still neato! I didn't realize I had posted two photos similar enough to make a 3D.

Pictxterowner 3 D sbs

cropped! , I let the computer enhance it this time apparently I was way off . :shock: I've messed up plenty of other peoples photos so don't feel alone . :-)

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