Masterclass Diffusion (Page 3): Since it's so easily adjustable, maybe try it without the foil, just to see what happens. This is fascinating stuff :D...

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

pfrancke wrote:

LOL, hang another strip of paper -- love those pencils, this damn thing is very adjustable!!!
Also, perhaps my top light is too hot..

Since it's so easily adjustable, maybe try it without the foil, just to see what happens.
This is fascinating stuff :D

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

Macronaut wrote:

I edited (added) a few things to the previous post.

LOL, good idea about putting a bend in the foil... but I thought light from that side was pretty good (you didn't take the CRUDE word out!!) Also, perhaps the foil should be replaced with white paper to reflect.

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

Cut 1 - added piece of photo paper in front of tin foil, placed blob of clay in center of right-hand flash, added one layer paper on top.
Cut 2 - removed blob of clay from center of flash
Cut 3 - removed paper layer from top
No PS except to convert from raw to jpg and make 8-bit

(Download)

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

pfrancke wrote:

LOL, good idea about putting a bend in the foil... but I thought light from that side was pretty good (you didn't take the CRUDE word out!!) Also, perhaps the foil should be replaced with white paper to reflect.

White just may be better than foil.

"Crude", as in prototype, not "crappy" :wink:

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

double post

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

pfrancke wrote:

cut 1 - added piece of photo paper in front of tin foil, placed blob of clay in center of right-hand flash, added one layer paper on top.
Cut 2 - removed blob of clay from center of flash
Cut 3 - removed paper layer from top
No PS except to convert from raw to jpg and make 8-bit

Are you using auto WB or Custom or other? BTW, I love seeing the progression with each modification.

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

auto I think... I didn't bother trying to get rid of color cast... I think I like the second one best..

All three block the tin-foil..

edit ... though perhaps the first models better, though it is darker.

EDIT --- About white balance - it is 'as shot'

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

pfrancke wrote:

auto I think... I didn't bother trying to get rid of color cast... ...EDIT --- About white balance - it is 'as shot'

whens the last time you calibrated your white balance?

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

oldtigger wrote:

whens the last time you calibrated your white balance?

good grief NEVER

I had no I idea I could set it in camera for my macro work.. But then it would be wrong at other times right?

I figure I can set white balance in post - wouldn't that be better?

Edit - I think all my shots from all my cameras would have this red cast under these conditions.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Macronaut wrote:

Looks like a crude Spider MRI. Is there a way to diffuse the light reflecting from the foil (between the foil and subject)? I think it's possible that the foil is refocusing the diffused light......de-diffusing :?: Just a thought ;) Or, convex vs. concave of the foil :?: (thinking out loud) :|

If you want to keep the light diffused, how about crumpling up the tinfoil before smoothing it out some and hanging it. Each little face will be reflecting in its own direction, so that should keep the light nice and spread out...

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

pfrancke wrote:

good grief NEVER

I had no I idea I could set it in camera for my macro work.. But then it would be wrong at other times right?

I figure I can set white balance in post - wouldn't that be better?

Edit - I think all my shots from all my cameras would have this red cast under these conditions.

about white balance. I am shooting raw. I think the first time it gets looked at as something that can be changed is when I do ACR conversion. There I specify "as shot".

Since my ACR conversion is automated when I shoot stacks, I don't know how to pre-set it to a default that would be good. That is probably worth looking into, properly white balanced images will likely stack better (assuming the stacking software will like those better color contrasted pixels better).

just thinking out loud about it.

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

Bloke wrote:

If you want to keep the light diffused, how about crumpling up the tinfoil before smoothing it out some and hanging it. Each little face will be reflecting in its own direction, so that should keep the light pread out.

Good point.
For what it is worth, I am overwhelmed by the options available that are now easily configured. I can change things, but I don't know when I "improve" things.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

pfrancke wrote:

For what it is worth, I am overwhelmed by the options available that are now easily configured. I can change things, but I don't know when I "improve" things.

I know the feeling, trust me! I am trying to learn close-up/macro, and focus stacking at the same time... Frequently, after several hours of shooting, I start to think "maybe this would be better if I just . . ."
At least digital film is cheap!

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

Bloke wrote:

I know the feeling, trust me! I am trying to learn close-up/macro, and focus stacking at the same time... Frequently, after several hours of shooting, I start to think "maybe this would be better if I just ..." At least digital film is cheap!

LOL -- we can go away, but must always come back!

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

Bloke wrote:

At least digital film is cheap!

Hours??!!? I suspect you will need to invest a bit more time practicing/learning than that before you.
:wink: :D