My try at 2-flash photography: Used a little PP to diminish sharpness which I did not like, and it is a crop.

Bubu Loc: Out of this solar system

Used a little PP to diminish sharpness which I did not like, and it is a crop.

Singing Swan

This looks like it could have come from a painting by an Old Master. Looks like I'm not the only one thinking 'still life'. Another fine example for inspiration. Thanks for posting this. It's very beautiful in its simplicity.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

A very nice photo!! Looks like you are headed in the right direction.

Bubu Loc: Out of this solar system

Someone asked me how to do this. Here is my formula.

Flash #1: Flash Yongnuo YN468-II on camera, turned left around 45 degrees from the target to bounce from my left wall. Set to -1 1/3 TTL mode.

Flash #@: Second flash YN560-II behind the bowl, facing down on the table, also a 45 degrees. Settings 1/128 power, S1 mode. I put it face down or else the light would have come in too high and that was not what I wanted.

This is what worked. I had to experiment with the power on the flashes until I got it as I wanted.

Also: Hand held, next time I will use the tripod, but I am allergic to them. I will also use two triggers (one on camera, second on flash #2) and one flash.

Camera was on P mode, ISO 250.

The kitchen was dark (at 9PM) and there was a dim light coming from the hall to the left, but not much. Firs few shots flash did not trigger so I had black frames. Almost dead Batteries!

Position of Flash #2
Position of Flash #2...

Layout

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

This is my kind of photography. I love the black background and the simplicity of the bowl of oranges. I do think you cropped it too tight at the bottom and there is a reflection on the right side of the bowl that is distracting. The use of a gobo (little piece of card board or something to block the light from reflecting on the glass. I spent the winter last year studying the book LIght: Science and Magic by Hunter, Biver and Fugua. It is an excellent though technical book.

smcaleer Loc: Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Bubu wrote:

Used a little PP to diminish sharpness which I did not like, and it is a crop.

I agree with Country's Mama about cropping to close at the bottom and the reflection of light on the right being distracting. Despite those two things, you did well. They don't ruin the shot, but give you food for thought the next time you shoot.

Bubu Loc: Out of this solar system

I really appreciate the feedback. I think it helps a lot to see the things we don't actually "see" . There was plenty of area not to crop so i will play with that next time. Thanks for looking and leaving comment!

I wouldn't mind if you add your examples of similar shots to this entry. I would love to see better treatments on the same subject and in the same place. I will not consider that a highjack. On the contrary, more opportunities to learn,

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

Bubu wrote:

I really appreciate the feedback. I think it helps a lot to see the things we don't actually "see" . There was plenty of area not to crop so i will play with that next time. Thanks for looking and leaving comment!

I wouldn't mind if you add your examples of similar shots to this entry. I would love to see better treatments on the same subject and in the same place. I will not consider that a highjack. On the contrary, more opportunities to learn,

I don't have any low key photos that I can think of that include a glass bowl. I am still struggling to get glass right. The reflections will drive you crazy. This is one that I know I used at least one gobo to block the direct light on the cup.

hikercheryl Loc: Madison, NC

Country's Mama wrote:

This is my kind of photography. I love the black background and the simplicity of the bowl of oranges. I do think you cropped it too tight at the bottom and there is a reflection on the right side of the bowl that is distracting. The use of a gobo (little piece of card board or something to block the light from reflecting on the glass. I spent the winter last year studying the book LIght: Science and Magic by Hunter, Biver and Fugua. It is an excellent though technical book.

Country's Mama,
Where do you put the gobo to prevent the reflection? It distracted me too.
Cheryl

Bubu Loc: Out of this solar system

Country's Mama wrote:

I don't have any low key photos that I can think of that include a glass bowl. I am still struggling to get glass right. The reflections will drive you crazy. This is one that I know I used at least one gobo to block the direct light on the cup.

Yeah, you got everything right here. That is what I said, having everything in one place works. Thank you! You may be prepared to teach a few classes here.

Country's Mama: I do have a damper for the flash that may work for the glass reflection. It is like a small soft box that attaches to the flash(es). That may work! Testing it next time I try... (this weekend). In your example, one flash or two?

Memphis Loc: Seattle

Very nice...I might have wanted you to lower the camera a bit so the bottom of the bowl was not cut off...inspiring!

smcaleer Loc: Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Country's Mama wrote:

I don't have any low key photos that I can think of that include a glass bowl. I am still struggling to get glass right. The reflections will drive you crazy. This is one that I know I used at least one gobo to block the direct light on the cup.

Oh I love this shot....the shadow behind the bar (not sure what the bar is) is a bit distracting, but I would love to have this on my kitchen wall.

You two have me thinking. I'm wondering what I can do so I can hang my work on my walls.

Nice

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

hikercheryl wrote:

Country's Mama,
Where do you put the gobo to prevent the reflection? It distracted me too.
Cheryl

Sorry so slow in answering this. You have to play a little with it, at least I do, but you have it between the light source and the point where it reflects. There is an angle of the light source, camera and subject that will always give you a reflection. I am away from my books and computer, but I found this on line that may help you.

http://books.google.com/books?id=6cMPZlW8NloC&pg=PA70&lpg=PA70&dq=how+to+position+a+gobo+to+block+reflection&source=bl&ots=l98Vk13ROC&sig=t9vC5__qg6IlySjlXGthPghWbS0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=iZp-Ur6VJuGCyAGJi4CYCw&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=how%20to%20position%20a%20gobo%20to%20block%20reflection&f=false

Bubu Loc: Out of this solar system

Weekend Project:I kept tinkering with my last grocery supplies. Many different angles provide more or less the same lighting, no drastic changes even if I pointed the main flash up to the ceiling. Back light is right-back-ish and main flash up and sideways (opposite to main) sometimes.
Triggers worked once and no more.

Probably main flash (on camera) is up to ceiling. I did not keep a log.

Bubu Loc: Out of this solar system

Another Experiment: How good or bad can it get with a P&S and no flash? Here is the answer. All these have the same light coming from a semi-opened window. No flash, taken with Panasonic ZS25 P&S F/4.5, 1/60. Manual mode, hand held.

I could still enhance this photo modifying the light areas a little. Though some find the right highlighted area distracting, I think that it adds to the composition and shaping the bowl.

Natural window lighting.

Photo on P mode, no choices, just what the camera sees. No flash

Camera on manual

Changing settings. Very easy.

From Above.