I've been lurking for quite awhile but rarely (better make that never) post as most people seem to know much, much more then my brain can hold. I'm looking for feedback on the lighting in these shots as I plan on starting a long term project where having consistent lighting is key. So I thought I'd put it out there for the variable wealth of info floating around in the FM world. Thank you kindly for your time and happy shooting.
The images above seem reasonably well exposed, but express little variety in light. If you want a good challenge to refine your mastery of tabletop lighting, I suggest you assign yourself exercises photographing a single white hen's egg with varied lighting. (Hard boiled is easier to handle.) There is texture in the shell that requires accurate exposure to retain. Take it from silhouette to a high key that barely delineates an edge. Take it to deep shadows that yet retain the texture. Explore the effects of directional and diffuse light sources. Try the classic studio lighting set-ups, adapted for table top work. Master the exercises and you should have confidence lighting still life images.
Thanks for your suggestion, I'll play around with an egg sometime when my ghetto studio isn't occupied. I didn't want to create overly dramatic light for this series as I want the viewers attention focused on the subject. Since there's no way to predict how the various orange peels will dry and distort I want to avoid strong directional light that would complement some subjects but not others. I want the diversity to come from the distortions as it dries, not the lighting. The egg idea is a wonderful way to learn though, I've added it to my notebook of things to do. Thanks again
I don't know, I'm using 13w fluorescent as the light source for these, tape is a critical support structure holding it all together. Although I do have an ultra sophisticated work space, they're set up on a empty box with a cloth over it, drapping back to two boxes stacked on top of each other for the sweeping backdrop.
Tape sounds to much like work for me. For about $150 you can have a light box with a light that is about 3' cube. If you really want to do this kind of shooting (small items) the $150 is more than adequate. You only need the expensive lighting when it does not fit in the lightbox. Scott
