Very impressive work. Talk about tack sharp! I suspect some of that is in the lighting and some of it in a tripod. A few comments are poking for how this was done. I have only recently begun avidly exploring controlled lighting. It would be great to learn about your setup. Wonderful image, thanks for sharing!
Edited by Vipermike on Nov 12, 2007 at 10:56 AM GMT
Hi Mike,
I have been studying your post and it is not clear to me that it is an arrow head of the kind that I am familiar. Also, in the description * Blows dust of lens* did you mean it blows dust off lens? What the heck is that thing?
Trent
PS - I really like the composition, lighting, and execution of the post.
TRENTPULL wrote:
Hi Mike,
I have been studying your post and it is not clear to me that it is an arrow head of the kind that I am familiar. Also, in the description * Blows dust of lens* did you mean it blows dust off lens? What the heck is that thing?
Trent
PS - I really like the composition, lighting, and execution of the post.
Hi Trent, I shoot traditional archery as a hobby with a Martin Mamba 50# Recurve bow. This is a Magnus (Stinger) broadhead hunting tip. Most of the time I just use my field tips as I mainly target shoot.
The line "Blows dust of lens" was just a statement because I have been absent from the WA for a few weeks. Sorry for the confusion. Thank you.
Strad wrote:
Yikes! Another Vipermike masterwork! You're too creative for you own good!
Where 'ya been? We've missed you.
All best wishes,
Endre
Hey Endre, Thanks pal! I missed you guys too. I needed some time away from the lens. I felt it coming on. You know I have been an artist ever since I was young, well I do this from time to time and I just shut down and have to walk away from it all. I don't even think about it. Perhaps it's some sort of recharging or cleansing process I go through. I feel good again and look forward to shooting with you guys. I have especially missed your great talent my friend.
Ok now to bore you guys with some details if you like.
Once again I had to be my own subject in this shot. You know how I hate that. I only had the arrowhead to play with the lighting, as I was not in the frame. Lit with two diffused (paper cover) 100w daylight bulbs forward upper left and back right and a reflector (white paper) under. I was knelt down in an awkward position to line up with the arrow as it was taped to a box on the edge of my light table. The arrow was an inch from my eye and at that distance it was too close to really see the end of the tip. That was scary. I snapped a shot and realized I needed to hold a large white piece of paper in my hand to get reflected light on my face. I knew at this distance with my 28-75 f2.8 I would have to shoot it at least F10 for decent DOF. With such low lighting I bumped the ISO to 800 to avoid any body or eye movement. This is what you see in the final shot. It all felt to static. Arrow motion! Now what? I took a few shots sliding and rotating the arrow without changing the scene. I was not in frame at this time; it would have been too dangerous. Those blades are surgical stainless steel. I could overlay it later. I already had the final shot for perfect placement. I wanted focus on the blades, as "edge" was my assignment. Rather than just a feeling of straight visual flight, I thought about how an arrow reacts when it hit's something. Some of the energy is released back up the shaft but the arrow has stopped. Similar to how a knife reacts when you throw it into the ground. So how do I create this effect? I always try to achieve as much as possible with my camera but I am not a photographic purist. I am an artist. Short of having someone shoot an arrow and me trying to catch it on impact, I opted to use a slight radial blur in PS towards the end of the shaft to achieve a similar effect.
Thanks for reading. I hope some of you have enjoyed my rambelings but I do enjoy sharing with you and perhaps give back what you have given me.
Hey Endre, you think it's these types of shoots that causes the sudden lapses in my work?
Vipermike wrote:
Ok now to bore you guys with some details if you like.
Once again I had to be my own subject in this shot. You know how I hate that. I only had the arrowhead to play with the lighting, as I was not in the frame. Lit with two diffused (paper cover) 100w daylight bulbs forward upper left and back right and a reflector (white paper) under. I was knelt down in an awkward position to line up with the arrow as it was taped to a box on the edge of my light table. The arrow was an inch from my eye and at that distance it was too close to really see the end of the tip. That was scary. I snapped a shot and realized I needed to hold a large white piece of paper in my hand to get reflected light on my face. I knew at this distance with my 28-75 f2.8 I would have to shoot it at least F10 for decent DOF. With such low lighting I bumped the ISO to 800 to avoid any body or eye movement. This is what you see in the final shot. It all felt to static. Arrow motion! Now what? I took a few shots sliding and rotating the arrow without changing the scene. I was not in frame at this time; it would have been too dangerous. Those blades are surgical stainless steel. I could overlay it later. I already had the final shot for perfect placement. I wanted focus on the blades, as "edge" was my assignment. Rather than just a feeling of straight visual flight, I thought about how an arrow reacts when it hit's something. Some of the energy is released back up the shaft but the arrow has stopped. Similar to how a knife reacts when you throw it into the ground. So how do I create this effect? I always try to achieve as much as possible with my camera but I am not a photographic purist. I am an artist. Short of having someone shoot an arrow and me trying to catch it on impact, I opted to use a slight radial blur in PS towards the end of the shaft to achieve a similar effect.
Thanks for reading. I hope some of you have enjoyed my rambelings but I do enjoy sharing with you and perhaps give back what you have given me.
Hey Endre, you think it's these types of shoots that causes the sudden lapses in my work? ...Show more →
Mike,
Although it is doubtful I have given anything back to you, you have answered all my questions as I was going crazy trying to figure out how you did it. If nobody else appreciates your explanation at least you have the satisfaction of knowing I do. I am new here so look forward to seeing more of your superb work.
Trent
I am sorry I did not get the chance to comment last week but the job that pays the bills did not allow me any free time. What time I did have I spent shooting. Knew it was yours the as soon as I saw the brown eye. Welcome back we all missed your work and your comments. What can I say wonderful shot. As always the master of lighting. I learn something everytime I study one of your shots. Thanks.
We've missed you.
Thank you.