Macro Necklaces - beginner critique

Necklaces - beginner critique · 04:37 AM

i'm a total beginner
but i read some posts here and got inspired
sort off put together a MACRO station

1. black shoebox as stage
2. SHO-ME flash light as spot light (a napkin over it to diffuse the beam)
3. Vintage Bilora tripod

Please critique my setup and results
everything is fair game

Thank you

Bramela · 12-28-2009, 12:49 PM

I would suggest you have a great future with Macro photography. You have done very well. The results are very good.
Always be very alert to Depth of Field with Macro as DOF in Macro shooting can be very thin, as you can notice in #2.

**Ash** · 12-28-2009, 01:41 PM

Nice subdued lighting effect here.
It works well.
Good DoF control also.
What can be improved upon is your composition.
Ensure no part of your subject is cropped off from the frame and choose your point of focus wisely - to emphasise the most important part of the image.
You're doing well so far.

sir.b · 12-28-2009, 03:04 PM

thanks to both of you for taking the time to comment.
would this be considered a better photo?

**Ash** · 12-28-2009, 04:35 PM

Originally posted by sir.b

thanks to both of you for taking the time to comment.
would this be considered a better photo?

Yes. Definitely IMO.
The composition is more pleasing and encompassing.
The thin DoF is great, but would probably work better with a slightly deeper DoF here.

panoguy · 12-28-2009, 05:29 PM

I like the DOF in your "re-do" to show more of the subject and stronger lighting, and it has much better composition if what you want to emphasize is the pendants and not the chain! However, I preferred the "fade-to-black" of the earlier shots. It was kinda like the DOF and primary light faded out together... no brightly lit blurry things.

For jewelry, try to find some black velvet to put it on (sucks up stray light) and use small halogen lights to get serious bright-n-shinies! If you ever photograph gemstones or highly polished items, this combo will really "pop" things.

cupic · 12-29-2009, 06:28 AM

Macro is so addictive and rewarding TFS

cheers

sir.b
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12-28-2009, 12:49 PM	#2
Bramela Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,284	I would suggest you have a great future with Macro photography. You have done very well. The results are very good. Always be very alert to Depth of Field with Macro as DOF in Macro shooting can be very thin, as you can notice in #2.

12-28-2009, 01:41 PM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Nice subdued lighting effect here. It works well. Good DoF control also. What can be improved upon is your composition. Ensure no part of your subject is cropped off from the frame and choose your point of focus wisely - to emphasise the most important part of the image. You're doing well so far.

12-28-2009, 03:04 PM	#4
sir.b Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: San Francisco Photos: Gallery Posts: 51 Original Poster	thanks to both of you for taking the time to comment. would this be considered a better photo?

12-28-2009, 04:35 PM	#5
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Originally posted by sir.b thanks to both of you for taking the time to comment. would this be considered a better photo? Yes. Definitely IMO. The composition is more pleasing and encompassing. The thin DoF is great, but would probably work better with a slightly deeper DoF here.

12-28-2009, 05:29 PM	#6
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	I like the DOF in your "re-do" to show more of the subject and stronger lighting, and it has much better composition if what you want to emphasize is the pendants and not the chain! However, I preferred the "fade-to-black" of the earlier shots. It was kinda like the DOF and primary light faded out together... no brightly lit blurry things. For jewelry, try to find some black velvet to put it on (sucks up stray light) and use small halogen lights to get serious bright-n-shinies! If you ever photograph gemstones or highly polished items, this combo will really "pop" things.

12-29-2009, 06:28 AM	#7
cupic Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia-NSW Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,824	Macro is so addictive and rewarding TFS cheers