How do you think this is deceiving?by
KrisbyComment by eschelar: Ok, I'm a bit at a loss here.
There's something to be learned here in lighting.
It definitely improves the image when you slice all that glare off the side with a crop. To my inexperienced eye, it looks like you rotated the camera to the right and used the on-camera flash.
Something that is worth a try for still-life is using constant lighting instead of flashes. It gives you a LOT more control over shadows and glare points. You can then use your camera's shutter speed and aperture much more effectively to control both Depth of Field and brightness.
Table lamps are really useful here for smaller subjects. I also use a trouble light (basically a normal light bulb socket on a cable that plugs into the wall) and a fluorescent bulb.
Further, it also teaches something about the background.
The background is close enough that there is enough definition in it to see that it variogated. I can see lines that go across.
Moving the BG farther back could avoid this.
I went to my local art supplies store and picked up some big sheets of plastic, both black and white (so I can use them as Backgrounds and reflectors. I then bought some colored paper that I can use as alternate backgrounds. These are stored between the plastic sheets to keep them straight.
Paper makes a good BG because it's very uniform. Also, it's very cheap.
Some people iron their paper to get it really straight.
You usually need distance to keep details from showing up on a BG. You need it to be out of focus.
Very little of my equipment is really expensive.
Keep up the good work! You've got more 10's on this picture than I think I've got on my 5 entries combined! :)
Photographer found comment helpful.