She sells seashells

Before I spend much time on the technique...how might I improve on it?
Candle was placed image left with mirror on the right
Balancing the candle flicker was the result of a four second SS at ISO 100 and f/8 and stacking.

IMAGE LINK: http://s329.photobucke​t.com …by%20candleligh​t.jpg.html

Not doing much for me.
+ Nice orangy colour.
+ good focus
- Composition/balance
- what are you trying to show?
- Most of the image is dark and low contrast.
- stand not adding anything

Sorry! I like some of your other stuff!

Looks pretty cool to me. I do agree that the stand is a distraction. The subject could use a little more space on the bottom. A different support surface it might help. Like maybe a fluff of satin or some such. There's a white fold in the backdrop that sort of draws the eye.

I like it and think the light is interesting as is. I kind of wonder what it would look like with the whole image being brightened just a little bit and then some selective burning on those interesting mirrored holes.

I'm assuming the 'stand' in this case is just fill-in while you work on the lighting and such, but as Martin and Joe mentioned, it is kind of distracting.

Thanks for sharing!

I don't understand the requirement of having to use a candle to light this when the candle/flame is no part of the image. Why not use something easier to light with... window light, etc. The stand, as mentioned, does not fit the subject matter. You would be better off using maybe some sand, or a beach towel (if not too distracting) to better fit the theme. The background, even though blurred, does not fit the theme/feel either.

It's the candle that provides the light and it's the light that interests me.

Then why not include the candle/flame in the shot. What I am getting at is there are much easier ways to get orange/warm light that will get you brighter light that will allow for lower ISO and/or faster shutter to get better quality and make the shoot easier to get.... unless you want to show the candle/flame in the shot.

how

The subject isn't moving. Shutter speed is irrelevant. So I don't see a problem with using a candle. I also disagree with the suggestion that the candle be in the shot. Do we put softboxes in portrait shots?

The OP was about "Before I spend too much time on the technique... how might I improve on it". So I am assuming they want to improve on the technique... which means they are open to suggestions on how to best emulate the light/look of the image. I also see that it is mentioned they used a candle with a 4 second shutter at f/8 and used stacking in order to get this shot. This means tripod (set up time), more than one shot (stacking) and then post processing work (stacking). Think about how much time this takes to get what? A warm light on a subject. It seems like a lot of work to just get warm light on the subject so I think maybe they like the idea of a candle being the light source but it's not obvious that that's what's being used here so maybe including it in the shot would help convey that (and this is the only reason I can think of that you would want to use candle light to light the subject)

So, to answer the original question about improving technique...
Why don't you put an orange gel on a flash and shoot with the flash camera left and use a reflector camera right and shoot at 1/200 second hand held (no tripod) at f/8 ISO 100 and dialing in the flash power to make the exposure proper and take only one shot and be done?
Can't shoot flash off camera? Shoot it on camera but reflect it off something camera left. Don't have a gel, reflect it off an orange/yellow paper. Don't have a flash? Use an incandescent light bulb in close and set the camera white balance to daylight. This will give you a nice orange cast. Don't have a traditional incandescent bulb? Shoot close to window light and change the color cast in post process.

Doesn't do much for me either. Cropping in on the three holes on the apex of the shell would make a more interesting comp.

I should have been more clear...the subject is secondary in this case.
My goal was to recreate golden hour lighting in a studio and with my gear, candlelight seem a viable option.
Have never tried using gels. Generally shoot tethered for composition/exposure/s​tacking purposes.

The second try with the technique is here...https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1440736

Then I think you were successful.

That second one is a bit more successful at what you've been describing. The shot in this post left the front of the seashell rather distractingly unlit and with a distinct lack of contrast with the background. Having the full black backdrop in that second shot worked quite well to solve that issue.

Snydremark wrote in post #17712153
The shot in this post left the front of the seashell rather distractingly unlit

this is kind of what gets me with this shot.

if it were truly golden hour, reflected fill light would strike the front of the shell too. As it is, the front is a little bluer than the rest. Or you could just say that the golden part is too red, either way the difference between the two is too great.

chauncey, i posted an example of just changing the color temp and tint in your other thread.