Still Life: Since it's getting colder here and less conducive to taking pictures outdoors I've decided to work on some still life. I know this section doesn't see a lot of that type of...

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

Since it's getting colder here and less conducive to taking pictures outdoors I've decided to work on some still life. I know this section doesn't see a lot of that type of photography so I'm not sure this is an appropriate place to post but I know I'll get some honest answers here. I'm wanting to know your thoughts on composition, subject matter and lighting, especially lighting. I've struggled with how to light still lifes so any help in that area would be greatly appreciated.

Walt

(Download)

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Whuff wrote:

Since it's getting colder here and less conducive to taking pictures outdoors I've decided to work on some still life. I know this section doesn't see a lot of that type of photography so I'm not sure this is an appropriate place to post but I know I'll get some honest answers here. I'm wanting to know your thoughts on composition, subject matter and lighting, especially lighting. I've struggled with how to light still lifes so any help in that area would be greatly appreciated.

Walt

Hi, Walt,

I like the subject very much...don’t know the name of the plant, but it is one of my favorite winter seed heads!
The centered composition is fine, but I would try some off-center options as well.

The subject seed fronds deserve to be brighter than the fiber tied accent around the vase. Being brighter than the subject, it is a distraction.

I like it but think it needs touch-ups...and note that all this is from one with no still-life chops!

Dave

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I appreciate that you created a composition of similar autumn-themed textures from nature; there's an elegant simplicity, though the elements are complex in color and texture. Visually stimulating!

I agree with Dave about the lighting: my first thought was that the grasses weren't bright enough, and then my eye was drawn right to the white spot on the vase. I very much like the arrangement (and lighting) of the leaves on the table. For me they make a pleasing addition to the overall autumn theme.

One other thing I noticed is the grasses in back that point to upper left appear to be sharper than the vertical-oriented group in front. You might want to try a smaller aperture, or different focusing, though some of this might be perception - the light and the fluffy texture.

Oh - and you might try softening/blending the line between table and wall on the left to equal the one on the right, since that is the only sharp (and horizontal) line in the composition.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

I get the impression that the sharpness and detail of the seed-heads is critical in getting this to work properly. Small detail can easily turn to mush if the sharpness or contrast aren't what they should be, and that would spoil the desired effect.

I suspect that keeping the plants bright and keeping the background dark is key. It may also help if you use less plants in the bundle. If the fronds have a dark background visible through them it may help to give them definition. And reflections from the glass are a no-no.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

Uuglypher wrote:

Hi, Walt,

I like the subject very much...donÃ¢ÂÂt know the name of the plant, but it is one of my favorite winter seed heads!
The centered composition is fine, but I would try some off-center options as well.

The subject seed fronds deserve to be brighter than the fiber tied accent around the vase. Being brighter than the subject, it is a distraction.

I like it but think it needs touch-ups...and note that all this is from one with no still-life chops!

Dave

These are the seed heads from a variegated grass that grows in our landscaping. I always cut them down before winter sets in. This year I thought they might look good in a vase so I brought them in the house. I did some work on this taking into consideration some of the concepts that you and Linda have given. See if this one is more acceptable. The fronds are more on an equal par with the tied accent.

Walt

(Download)

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

Linda From Maine wrote:

I appreciate that you created a composition of sim... (show quote)

I've removed the white spot which I agree was a distraction that needed to go. As far as the grasses that you saw as less sharp I believe that's due to being more dense than the ones in the upper left. I've attached a version with some revisions above.

Walt

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

R.G. wrote:

I get the impression that the sharpness and detail... (show quote)

I've removed the worst of the reflection. I hope this latest version is an improvement and I haven't just lost all detail.

Walt

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Whuff wrote:

I've removed the worst of the reflection. I hope this latest version is an improvement and I haven't just lost all detail.

Walt

Detail isn't the only factor worth thinking about. The contrast makes for more interesting lighting. But I think you probably wouldn't want the highlights to be any brighter than they are.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Whuff wrote:

I've removed the white spot which I agree was a distraction that needed to go. As far as the grasses that you saw as less sharp I believe that's due to being more dense than the ones in the upper left. I've attached a version with some revisions above.

Walt

Good point about density. Nice adjustments!

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

Give this a try using the on-camera/in-camera flash. That could very well bring out fine detail in the seed-heads as well as define them as the subject. It worked wonders for me on a dandelion seed-head, as well as on grasses.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

I feel anything that you want serious discussion/debate on should be featured on this forum. This is the place for that image.

I really like this image. You have captured a great deal of detail within a narrow range of colour along with a variety of textures. I would be ecstatic if I took something close to it myself.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Whuff wrote:

Since it's getting colder here and less conducive to taking pictures outdoors I've decided to work on some still life. I know this section doesn't see a lot of that type of photography so I'm not sure this is an appropriate place to post but I know I'll get some honest answers here. I'm wanting to know your thoughts on composition, subject matter and lighting, especially lighting. I've struggled with how to light still lifes so any help in that area would be greatly appreciated.

Walt

A very nice start, nice image.
I would suggest toning down the blown out highlights on the vase.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

neilds37 wrote:

Give this a try using the on-camera/in-camera flash. That could very well bring out fine detail in the seed-heads as well as define them as the subject. It worked wonders for me on a dandelion seed-head, as well as on grasses.

Thanks for the suggestion but I don’t think on camera flash would do any good at all on this image. The background is too close and the flash would cast a harsh shadow overpowering the ambient light while also creating harsh reflections in the glass vase.

Walt

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

John N wrote:

I feel anything that you want serious discussion/debate on should be featured on this forum. This is the place for that image.

I really like this image. You have captured a great deal of detail within a narrow range of colour along with a variety of textures. I would be ecstatic if I took something close to it myself.

I appreciate your comments John, I’m going to continue to work on still life and try to improve. I have a long way to go to reach a level of confidence in this genre.

Walt

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

Manglesphoto wrote:

A very nice start, nice image.
I would suggest toning down the blown out highlights on the vase.

See my 2nd photo posted. I’ve taken care of that.

Walt