How Good is my Photo..?? Discussion.. Any tips, Criticisms or Ideas Please..!!

YDD.. that second picture of yours does it for me.:gnthb::gnthb:
Im sure we will all agree it is much improved and shows the bloom in all its glory.
Thanks for taking my advise and putting it to use.
great result
robert

 

For flat and black Bob, try spray painting some sheets of cardboard. The ones in the photo aren't prefectly uniform black but seem to work. The hinges (gaffer tape) allow me angle it to cut off light from the sides if I need to. I've also got a similar card white for use if I need a soft fill-in light from a side or a white background.

 

Thanks Dave
And here is the kind of picture you can produce with Daves setup.

 

Or this..

 

Knowng what we now know.
Whats wrong with this picture of mine and what can we do to give it some bite?
robert

 

Your pics out of focus Robert, you should of used macro or stood further back, To give it bite you would have to use some computer magic i would think
For the black background on my Daliah pic i used a large drip tray, it was Blo*dy awkward holding it and taking the pics...

 

Back grounds are also important





Material is not good for a background because it will not stay crease free on its own. Paper will.

 

It's so horribly out of focus I can't see what could be done to rescue it. The exposure is pretty good and the green foliage looks lush. If the foxglove had been in focus maybe a slight 'sharpen' ? Looks like a pretty dull day so I'd guess you had to use a fairly wide aperture, unless you used a tripod, and the wide aperture would have reduced the depth of field. Standing further back as YDD says would have helped, but going to macro would reduce depth of field and while it might have captured the flower would have thrown the background out or vice-versa.

 

Yes. But ... If the material is out of focus it should not show creases and it has the advantage, and I'm thinking of the black felt I want to get my paws on, of being able to be arranged in a curve so the subject sits on and is 'backgrounded' by the same colour.

Paper, or similar, if you can get it in long enough lengths is as you say great, that's what studios use.

Just had a thought - Next time we replace a roller blind I'll save the material and spray it :thumb:

 

I don't consider myself a photographer just a happy snapper, I have picked up lots of hints and tips of you guys,I have a background board I bought from an arts supply shop I didn't go for black as I think the contrast can be too severe with the subject, I went for a dark green which can give different tones depending on the ambient light.Here are a couple of shots,

 

Works very well Walnut!!

 

this is the type of set up I use for getting the background right.


Its just a piece of card from an art shop.(any colour),two builders lamps from a DIY shop.(preferably with stands),and a sofa,or table for heavier stuff.
You can play with a desk light as well,or just one lamp.That all depends on the result you want.

I took a shot with the exact set up,and this is the result

A bit of a play with white balance,and what you've got is a very cheap and effective studio.:thmb:
Even if I did miss a bit top right
/|\ Shea

 

That photo is so sharp Getafix. If you don't mind me asking, what camera do you use?

 

Great little set up Getafix and as you say the biggest problem is the colour balance. You have it sorted to perfection:gnthb:
robert

 

Thanks Will.
I use a Canon EOS 30D with Sigma 17-70mm lens.

A photoshop tip when using white backgrounds.
Open the picture in PS,
Select Image-Adjustments,Levels.

bottom right you should see 3 small colour selecting things.Select the white,and click on the background.You should see your whites go whiter

If you select the grey one,that will adjust your white balance.Just click around on the pic until the colours look right to you.(neutral grey areas give the best results)
Have fun :gnthb: