Desperate Plea For Help - DPChallenge Forums

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

06/14/2006 03:20:18 AM · #1

I need to duplicate this photograph-

I've tried dropping the orange in water- no luck.

I've tried placing the drops around the orange and dropping the water on the orange while taking shots, I've tried lighting these set-ups different ways-I've tried lighting it from below and the sides, and the orange looks good but you cannot see the water. I've tried ligthing it just from above but the orange comes out kind of bland. I'm just not sure.

Some unedited results-

//i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/crzylovenm/3a2a3e70.jpg
//i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/crzylovenm/c2c66e20.jpg
//i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/crzylovenm/7b3ab09c.jpg

I know I need to play in curves and levels and the color balance, but I'm still way off...

How do I do this!?

Thanks in advance!

Message edited by kirbic - Converted large pics to links :-).

General

Kodak Z7590

06/14/2006 03:36:55 AM · #2

Try using glycerine instead of water

Also i think it is backlight shot with light source behind orange

Message edited by author 2006-06-14 03:38:10.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

06/14/2006 12:54:36 PM · #3

glycerine might work, thanks. Any other suggestions from anyone?

Jaded_Housewife

Canon EOS-5D

06/14/2006 12:58:45 PM · #4

when you say youve tried lighting it from below do you mean behind the orange or at the bottom of the shots your provided? if you havent tried lighting it from behind the orange(light pointed at the back of the orange)that might work.

kawesttex

Apple iPhone 11 Pro

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

06/14/2006 01:01:41 PM · #5

I noticed in the second shot you have the glass on the backdrop. Try raising the glass above the backdrop and put additional lighting on the backdrop alone. This will allow you to 'blow out' the background with respect to the orange.

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

06/14/2006 01:02:58 PM · #6

Who took the first photograph? Can't you just ask them either for permission to use the image (do you have permission to use it here, btw?) or for advice on achieving a similar effect?

06/14/2006 01:08:25 PM · #7

Originally posted by WickedB:

I need to duplicate this photograph-

Those splashes look like genuine water splats/splashes not drops arranged around the slice. The setup seems to be as such, a see through glass or plastic vessel with water (could be just a few inches) set a top a light source coming in from the bottom. So you see the side effects of the back/under lighting in the internal orange structure, and an extra light source illuminating the rind and front of the orange.

If you have a good strong construction work light or couple of a few good lights together, position some diffuser material close a top it, just not to close to catch anything on fire, some frosted glass or just pieces of white paper should do. You can very simply use that kind setup, very similar to the one I used for this shot here, where the light was placed under the subject... //www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=340179

Hope this helps :)

btw, to try and get those water drops even more defined. Perhaps try to place some strips of black paper around or on the light source, they should get in refracted in the drop. Just something you can try.

good luck!

Message edited by author 2006-06-14 22:14:12.

06/14/2006 09:39:22 PM · #8

The orange itself is looking a lot better with a diffused light source 6 inches below the piece of glass, however I still cannot get the water drops to show up well. I tried covering the other lights with black cloth, but it only seemed to dim the lighting, and not reflect on the drops. I don't have glycerin and it's late so I can't get any, but is there anything at home I can use or add to the water?

06/14/2006 09:43:08 PM · #9

Originally posted by WickedB:

Are there any other lights turned on in the room? other than the diffused source light from below and the less powered lamp for the forefront.

eschelar

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

06/14/2006 09:45:48 PM · #10

Anyone else seem to think that maybe there are two sheets of glass here? Maybe saran wrap placed over a thin film of water, with another film of water on top... there seem to be some odd bubbles there.

I'm no expert though... Looks like a pretty tough shot to duplicate.

06/14/2006 09:46:31 PM · #11

I have two hot lights above the orange one covered in black (and now very dim) and one other.

06/14/2006 09:47:10 PM · #12

I was thinking the same thing... that there must be something above the orange too... I have more glass...hmm?

06/14/2006 09:48:34 PM · #13

Originally posted by eschelar:

That's a really neat idea! to try.

06/14/2006 09:52:27 PM · #14

So where do I place the orange in this arrangement? Glass, orange, water, saran wrap, water, glass????

Help... ahh deadline approaching.

06/14/2006 09:57:27 PM · #15

Originally posted by WickedB:

I have two hot lights above the orange one covered in black (and now very dim) and one other.

Hmmm, One last guess would be to make sure the main back light isn't spread out over a large area, not more than you need it to. Because if a big area is just all white not sure you'll get enough definition since all white is being refracted in the drops. Try to keep only that light on while working in a dark room, see if the drops are defined, if so then you can use a slightly less powerful single lamp to just light up the front of the orange slice a bit , maybe you wont even need any extra lights. Good luck! :)

Message edited by author 2006-06-14 22:00:54.

eschelar

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

06/14/2006 09:58:04 PM · #16

Same method...

I will try to draw? it for you...

.|CAMERA
\/

(====)OOOOORAAAANNNNGGGGEEEE

~~~~~ Water
----- Saran wrap
~~~~~ Water
_____ Glass

\___/ Light

In the original picture, it almost looks a bit like the orange is a tad underexposed... PP can bring that up if needed quite easily, but might tell you something about their light sources...

Also, I know that if you surround the subject with a curtain of black, you can get a lot nicer contrast in your water...

Message edited by author 2006-06-14 22:01:29.

hardkrash

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

06/14/2006 09:59:57 PM · #17

Take a vertical stack-up

water jet from below
light shining from below as well
plate glass
slice of orange on top of glass
lights on top
photo from top

There is water in motion, and water sticking to the glass plate.

You could try applying rain-x on the back and that would have less droplets.

This is my feeling, don't know if its right :-P

Rebecca

Nikon D80

06/14/2006 10:12:54 PM · #18

It looks to me like a splat effect. Try dipping the orange in water and then literally dropping it onto the surface.

GentleSoul

Canon EOS-30D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/14/2006 10:38:52 PM · #19

Ditto the splat effect comment. Except instead of dipping the orange in water, I'd put a few drops/tiny puddle of water/glycerin on the glass and drop the orange onto it to get the water to splat out. Then, I'd take another layer of glass and place it on top. OR... I'd shoot this from below the glass. But it does look to be sandwiched somehow.... or if not sandwiched, it seems pretty clear to me that the camera is on the opposite side of the glass from the orange.

Also, I've never tried this, but if you can't get glyerin, how about using water with a lot of sugar dissolved in it? That might make it thicker. Or maybe clear liquid soap? If done carefully, it might not bubble...

Just some thoughts...
Liz

edited to add comment on glass sandwich

Message edited by author 2006-06-14 22:41:04.

GentleSoul

Canon EOS-30D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/14/2006 10:42:01 PM · #20

Hey, is there a prize if we guess correctly how it was really done?

j/k :)

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/14/2006 11:08:06 PM · #21

Originally posted by GentleSoul:

Hey, is there a prize if we guess correctly how it was really done?

j/k :)

My happiness?

GentleSoul

Canon EOS-30D

06/15/2006 12:03:52 AM · #22

Originally posted by WickedB:

Originally posted by GentleSoul:
Hey, is there a prize if we guess correctly how it was really done?

j/k :)

My happiness?

OK - good enough for me. :)