Double Happiness Wedding Candy

[Iguanasan]

A friend from the office just got back from getting married in Bejing and brought back some wedding candy. Thought I'd use it as a subject for playing with some cheap lighting set ups.




Here's my set up:



As you can see, Goldine was very interested in what I was doing.

[AntZ]

Cool lighting. I sometimes use my Mountain bike lights for similar. It sure is tough, because you finally get the light right then there are too many shadows. I did notice in the closed box shot that the torch on the side really killed the texture and pattern of the box.

[Marko]

I'm ALWAYS impressed by how people make do using the lighting that they have. and it's just amazing what you can do with a flashlight and a desklamp.

This is fun play Iggy - both shots are interesting; let me know if you'd like a further critique.

Marko

[Bambi]

this looks very cool Iggy. I like your set up-especially the photography assistant!!!

[Iguanasan]

I'm ALWAYS impressed by how people make do using the lighting that they have. and it's just amazing what you can do with a flashlight and a desklamp.

This is fun play Iggy - both shots are interesting; let me know if you'd like a further critique.

Marko

Thanks! By all means, have at 'er. I should add it to my sig.

[Iguanasan]

this looks very cool Iggy. I like your set up-especially the photography assistant!!!

Thanks. She was extremely helpful in keeping the bristol board held down.

[Marko]

Ok then Iggs,

Shot one - The blacks are a bit weak here, pump up those blacks and this shot will rock harder and cooler shadows will emerge. Also since the box is square, maybe a square crop would work...a bit of empty space at left.

Shot 2 - This shot has the more interesting lighting imo and you choose a nice angle. I find the shot a bit flat though, I think some levels or curves play would help make it stronger.

Hope that helps - Marko

[Iguanasan]

Ok then Iggs,

Shot one - The blacks are a bit weak here, pump up those blacks and this shot will rock harder and cooler shadows will emerge. Also since the box is square, maybe a square crop would work...a bit of empty space at left.

Shot 2 - This shot has the more interesting lighting imo and you choose a nice angle. I find the shot a bit flat though, I think some levels or curves play would help make it stronger.

Hope that helps - Marko

See, my problem is that you say these things but, honestly, I have no idea how to accomplish what you are suggesting. I wonder if it's time for your audio podcasts to have the odd video component? Camstudio is great for recording desktop activity and then you could do a voice over, CamStudio - Free Screen Recording Software

I have curves and stuff in Gimp and I believe it works exactly as it does in Photoshop but I really just fiddle until I think it looks OK. My problem is that I have no idea what to look for or least I'm not schooled in what to look for. I just try to make it look "better", whatever that means. There's no systematic work involved though I'm sure the super-imposed histogram is supposed to be useful for something.