And what does a hip flask contain? Shots!
So this month's subject matter, Shots from the Hip (flask) becomes rather easy. Less easy was finding a hip flask - I don't own one - and setting up the shot.
What I've ended up with is two different techniques on the same subject. Both involve a dark wood table, dark background wall, and reflections in the shiny table. So the decision boils down to this: To flash or not to flash? That is the question.
Nikon D300sSigma NiftiFifti
F/3
1/15
ISO 200
Tripod
I like the dark, moody lighting. The lamp provides all the illumination, but despite most of the subject being dark, the bulb holder and top of the lamp have blown out to white. All detail is lost and no amount of burning it in will produce detail that's simply not there.
Nikon D300sSigma NiftiFifti
F/4.8
1/60
ISO 200
Camera-mounted flash
Tripod
The flash brings some life to the picture, with all those shiny reflective surfaces. But the lamp is flat. However, the texture on the lamp has not been lost, and the bulb holder is visible.
So I'm torn. Which is the better, or at least the preferred, photograph?
Posts
Paul, there's no question in my mind: no flash wins hands down. Sure you lose detail in top of the lamp, but the photo's about the bottles, and I think blowing out light sources can work well on occasion. (coincidentally, I read this the other day: http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-tips/overexposure-on-purpose-richardson/)
ReplyDeleteWith the flash the photo is flat, without it the body of the lamp has a great texture, and the bottles look better, too. I really wouldn't worry about the lamp being all white.
On reflection, maybe the JD is a little dark. Can one of the flash-happy crew advise on incorporating an off-camera flash (or reflector?) to add a bit of subtle light on the left?
I love taking photos like this, really enables you to play and try lots of different variables, nicely done.
ReplyDeleteAs Nick said, NO FLASH wins hands down and is a good shot..
However the JD is a bit dark and would have helped to get some more light on left side.
Ways to do this :-
1- Reflector just out of shot left, either proper collapsible jobbies, sheet of white A3, car sun shade, silver foil etc. (Just be aware of potential colour casts).
2- Another normal light just out of shot, move the distance to control light level.
3- Flash off camera.
But to light nicely with flash would have said two one Right high at eTTL power (maybe half orange gel) then second camera level left at 1/4 eTTL power. Then fiddle with the numbers and ratios. I like the light shade blown out but if in manual and with flashes you could dial that down as well.
4- Composite the two together in PS.
Have the no flash shot as dominate level, use the flash layer with high amount of transparency and then use a soft eraser to get rid of shadows and nasty bits just to add tiny bit more light and a few highlights.
p.s. on fixed compositions very easy to arrange the props so be careful of things like power cords ;-)
Cheers,
Richard B.