Chess in monochrome

[tim]

Critique welcome, as is your preference. Done with 20D, 100mm macro, a halogen desk lamp, white and black card as reflectors/antireflectors (dimmers?).

http://mrwild.co.nz/unprotected/potn/chess1.jpg

http://mrwild.co.nz/unprotected/potn/chess2.jpg

[Carzee]

pic 1. I like the DOF in general. The dark queen fades and dies! But the white queen is a bit low key and doesn't "stand out" enough against the soft c-board. Somehow the foreground chess piece needs more impact.


pic 2. Good use of that shadow, and the lighting on the white queen is more dramatic and gives "her" more outline, more impact.



I could see pic 2 in a frame on my wall... good idea to use chess pieces.

Why not try a colour version using Swarfski (sp) crystal chess pieces with lots of reflections/spectrums? Could get some nice colour bokeh.

[tim]

Thanks Carzee, I think you're right about the first queen, it might be better with more shadow or perhaps in black. Sure, if you want to loan me Swarfski crystal chess pieces i'd be happy to take a photo of them ;)

I spent about 4 hours today playing with lighting, here's another one (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=68230) I did.

[picture-this]

I think the shadow is cool.

[tim]

The poll's running neck and neck!

[tbird]

I guess this may be picky, but those pieces look like kings rather than queens to me. Whatever, the pics are unique. Good photo...I especially like the second one with the shadow of the knight with the king (or queen).

[CappuccinoDavid]

I like the 1st one...

[tim]

I guess this may be picky, but those pieces look like kings rather than queens to me. Whatever, the pics are unique. Good photo...I especially like the second one with the shadow of the knight with the king (or queen).

They are kings - the idea is the white queen won :)

If I could be bothered setting it up again (it'd take maybe 15 minutes in my lounge) i'd do #1 with similar shadows to #2.