Shooting glass sculpture: Had a wonderful evening yesterday, a private tour of a remarkable gallery here in Toronto -- Sandra Ainsley -- featuring glass by artist Don Chihuily. Here...

RickH Loc: Toronto, Canada

Had a wonderful evening yesterday, a private tour of a remarkable gallery here in Toronto -- Sandra Ainsley -- featuring glass by artist Don Chihuily.
Here are two results that I am pretty pleased with, one black & white and one colour. If there is interest, more to follow

I'm especially interested in your critical comments

(Download)

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

RickH wrote:

Had a wonderful evening yesterday, a private tour of a remarkable gallery here in Toronto -- Sandra Ainsley -- featuring glass by artist Don Chihuily.
Here are two results that I am pretty pleased with, one black & white and one colour. If there is interest, more to follow

I'm especially interested in your critical comments

I am seldom able to photograph art works in ways that are not mere snapshots, so I am duly impressed, especially with the first. I have seen many posted images of Chihuly's glass sculptures and I have to say this first one is the best I've seen here. Excellent work and it is amazingly effective in monochrome. The color one is nice, and you've been able to isolate the object from the usual gallery trappings and lighting, but it still has a bit of the gallery feel to it. The first is simply art. I would love to see more. In fact if I had another day here, I'd be tempted to come try myself! (a couple of hours north of Toronto right now)

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

You did a remarkably good job of photographing a very glossy subject and capturing the nature of the art.
--Bob

RickH wrote:

Had a wonderful evening yesterday, a private tour of a remarkable gallery here in Toronto -- Sandra Ainsley -- featuring glass by artist Don Chihuily.
Here are two results that I am pretty pleased with, one black & white and one colour. If there is interest, more to follow

I'm especially interested in your critical comments

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

I think B&W was an excellent choice for the first shot. The lines are so fluid and intriguing that color would not have told the same story!

RickH Loc: Toronto, Canada

minniev wrote:

I am seldom able to photograph art works in ways t... (show quote)

Many thanks

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

RickH wrote:

Had a wonderful evening yesterday, a private tour of a remarkable gallery here in Toronto -- Sandra Ainsley -- featuring glass by artist Don Chihuily.
Here are two results that I am pretty pleased with, one black & white and one colour. If there is interest, more to follow

I'm especially interested in your critical comments

I'm not crazy about the second shot because it is hard for me to tell what it is or that it is even glass. The first shot is a completely different story. I love the shapes and the lines. I think B&W was a brilliant choice and it is an excellent abstract photo with a lot of impact and appeal. Well done.
Erich

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

RickH wrote:

I'm especially interested in your critical comments

H. I am glad to see you back in the section. I as others prefer #1 but am a fan of b/w, both images are good. You asked for critical comment. I would bring up the shadows and deepen the blacks. You've left what I consider a fair amount of detail hidden. Reduce the noise before you attempt any of the suggestions. My memory may serve me wrong and if so I apologize...I think it is ok to show you what I mean, please correct me if I am mistaken. I easily could have pushed this too far but was trying to illustrate a point.

(Download)

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

It is never easy to photograph glass. Especially when the photographer doesn't have control over the lighting. The first one is nicely done. When I downloaded it and clicked on it so it had a black boarder I was even more impressed. The second one though it is hard for me to tell that it is glass, i find the lighting has separated the item from the background and makes it stand on it's own merits

RickH Loc: Toronto, Canada

Frank2013 wrote:

H. I am glad to see you back in the section. I as ... (show quote)

Frank, this is really helpful, thanks. Ive been travelling so not posting a lot -- but constructive comments like yours will have me participating more