Feedback request for a 12 Days pic

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

12/24/2012 10:06:37 AM · #1

Hi All,
I am totally fine with the scoring on the 12 Days challenge ... it underscores the diversity of thoughts and opinion that make us all unique. :) (Plus it fed my "update" button click fix needs for the week.)

However, I would like a little bit of non-challenge related feedback on my picture. It was my first attempt at using a table top light box and I KNOW I have a lot to learn.

P.S. In the interest of full disclosure. The "monkey on a tin box" may not have been one of my replacement lyrics for the song before, but it is now. See the song lyrics on the picture page. Enjoy.

Alex_Petrini

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

12/24/2012 10:23:14 AM · #2

Your low score is surely due to the DNMC votes, so it doesn't matter which was the real overall quality of the shot.

Outside the challenge I'd say that as a first attempt is quite good. The monkey is probably a little dark, but IMO the general lighting works (but consider that now I'm not in front of a very reliable screen)

smardaz

12/24/2012 10:23:36 AM · #3

left a comment

Patrick_R

Canon EOS-60D

12/24/2012 10:31:22 AM · #4

Here is where I feel the image could have been improved.

1.) It looks just a little over sharpened. I'm starting to see jagged lines which distracts me.

2.) Background. It would have been great to see a pure white (not glowing but white)as it is now there is a hot spot in the upper left of the photo from your rear light.

3. Foreground. Then if you added another light sitting about arms length away from camera right aiming at the monkey you would have gotten a better exposure. As well as making a more interesting photo.

4.) Processing. This was advanced editing so learning some tricks like dodging and burning for the monkeys eyes ect could have helped as well.

But this is just what I would do so take it with a grain of salt. :)
Merry Christmas.

EL-ROI

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

12/24/2012 10:34:23 AM · #5

Left a comment. I would love to see a shot of the set up!

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

12/24/2012 10:39:44 AM · #6

staged shots require good lighting to make them interesting. soft boxes are great really to soften the light and kill hard shadows but you still need to light it properly and it doesn't appear you have any light in the front.

also you are at ISO 500, which says to me you need even more light. i try to stay around 100-200 unless i'm trying to push an ambient background.

from the color it looks like you used tungsten lights. personally i'd spend the money on some cheap flashes. more powerful and cleaner light.

Message edited by author 2012-12-24 10:43:16.

12/24/2012 11:03:01 AM · #7

You're all right that I didn't have a light in front except for my flash (SB 600). Oops! I thought the flash would be enough. I also just learned that I set the box up wrong ... There was a darker back piece with the case that would have blocked the light from the back if I'd laid it out properly. duh!

I wanted to see if I even liked doing these shots so I bought a pre-fab setup off amazon ... this is what I have

It's not amazing but it paid for itself in adult beverages when I took a couple shots for a friend for stuff she wanted to post on e-Bay.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply! I'm off to re-setup and see what I can do.

Message edited by author 2012-12-24 11:09:41.

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

12/24/2012 12:29:31 PM · #8

Survey says ... better I hope. ;)

Well I didn't place the monkey quite right ... and I am sure I left out some advice but I am just happy I arrived at "white" (or at least closer to it). Correctly setup the box this time (which allowed me to leave the room lights on without weird shadows), adjusted ISO, increased sat on eyes, moved lights a little farther away and added a light in front to get better light on the body. Sharpened manually rather than using nifty auto sharpen button.

Thanks again!

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/24/2012 12:34:54 PM · #9

better, try opening the lens up more, f/9 is a bit closed down, try f4-5.6-6.3

you still need more light in front, the camera left side light too powerful compared to the main front light.

Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG HSM for Nikon

12/24/2012 01:10:35 PM · #10

Will do. Need to find a better light for the front as the f-stop alone isn't much better. Thanks Mike.

kgeary

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/25/2012 10:00:20 PM · #11

The color temperature of the light doesn't matter as long as they're all the same color. The main issue is the white balance is off and both the subject and background are underexposed. Also, the light is not even on the background. Product shots aren't easy. I'd recommend ditching the light tent and making your own setup. I don't think I've ever seen a serious product photographer stick a product in a light tent and get on with it -- they have a table with a miniature custom set, lots of lights and fill cards, etc.

If you stick a subject in a tent the picture is going to look like you stuck the subject in a tent.