What am I not getting? (Page 2): Yep..move the objects away from the wall..bounce the light ..and try a solid cloth under the fruit placed somehow where it would draw your eye toward...

katbandit Loc: new york city

Yep..move the objects away from the wall..bounce the light ..and try a solid cloth under the fruit placed somehow where it would draw your eye toward the fruit..keep shooting it differently until you get a pleasing effect..I see lots of potential with this ..

EdAnderson Loc: Hanover, PA

Have you considered using white cards to provide some fill in your shadows?

Dria Loc: Ohio

I think you have a pleasing idea that will look "Tuscan" when you optimize it.

I would add a book laying down (or similar shape) and put 1 of the balls on it

Kaerynn

The Three ball are NOT fruit- at least that I recognize. If you get rid of the balls and add some berries spilled on the counter and lean the bananas against the pineapple, add an apple, a pear, etc., you will have a shot with more colors and levels. Remember, your pic must SAY something. Light must also be increased (a simple table lamp, (no shade) will help).

HEART Loc: God's Country - COLORADO

How about a less-aged banana?

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

LWH wrote:

To lessen the shadows: 1) move the subject out from the wall, and 2) use a larger aperture to reduce the DOF, which will keep your subject in sharp focus but blur the background.

I was shooting at the kitchen counter which, as we all know is not very deep. Moving it away from the wall and still being able to catch the platform proved difficult. Even at f 6.3 I was not getting the entire package in focus. f 11 seemed to be the sweet spot here. I knew this going into this shoot but I wanted to see what I could accomplish. In other words, you are right. You just emphasized what not to do. Thank you.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

katbandit wrote:

Yep..move the objects away from the wall..bounce the light ..and try a solid cloth under the fruit placed somehow where it would draw your eye toward the fruit..keep shooting it differently until you get a pleasing effect..I see lots of potential with this ..

You know, I thought of that. LOL.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Dria wrote:

I think you have a pleasing idea that will look "Tuscan" when you optimize it.

I would add a book laying down (or similar shape) and put 1 of the balls on it

You see, it's little things like this that I need to know. Thanks.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

HEART wrote:

How about a less-aged banana?

You oughta' see my wilted flowers.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

katbandit wrote:

Yep..move the objects away from the wall..bounce the light ..and try a solid cloth under the fruit placed somehow where it would draw your eye toward the fruit..keep shooting it differently until you get a pleasing effect..I see lots of potential with this ..

Than you.

birdie

saside wrote:

since you have twenty years..... I don't think I could do a good still life with out help. but I'd suggest looking on line at the old master pieces of still life and learn from them.from placement, lighting, number of objects, colors, how were they placed in the frame.

I see what you are trying to achieve with the tile background, but there are so many lines leading right out of the picture. I'd try a piece of foamcore leaned against the wall with a dark velvet or, different fabrics, burlap ,satin, towel, sheet,??? draped over it. experiment with fabrics, colors, light directions, drapes of the fabric. There are so many ways to do this. You are right on with the colors, maybe substitute fruits in the same colors as the balls. bring the drape down on the counter,set some fruit on that, partly. Try everything!!!

melphoto60

try a black/white sweeps for the background, try moving subjects away from background, move your light around start straight on then 45 degs then 90 degs. Play around and you will get there.

nivek340 Loc: South Hadley Ma.

Try a different background.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

tainkc wrote:

This is very frustrating. I thought that I had a great idea. I put this stuff together thinking that it would be cool. I liked the lighting but I would have liked less shadows. And to me, like me, it's kind of boring. I know the 60's were good to me but do I really lack that much imagination? I need to learn- quick! Statistically I only have about 20 years left. Please assist me.

1) you are shooting subjects with a highly reflective surface 2) you have arranged them on a reflective surface 3) you have only one light source and that is from above (creating strong shadows) 4) your bananas are rotten (unless thats the point?).

So, the question I'd ask myself is - "what am I trying to do? and "what can I imagine doing?"

then try to do it.

good luck

llindstrand Loc: Seattle Metro

I edited your image in Photoshop using shadows and highlights. That gets rid of the real dark shadow and you can still adjust to get the desired amount. I will send it if you want.