Painting with Light

I've been stuck indoors and bored out of my skull for the past two weeks (lower back problems) and have been playing around with some still live.
The idea of "Painting with Light" intrigued me. This is the best I've managed so far.
This was shot using a 50mm 1.8 on a 10D, ISO 100, f16, 60sec. I just used a small torch/flashlight for illumination.

Your thoughts and advice on how to improve on this .....

Looks to me like the glass is dirty. I'd clean it so that it really sparkles. Maybe also make the illumination a bit brighter to get more "life" into it?

I like it like that. Those subdued colors are very pretty. Advice I have none.

Aaahh ummm
I do have a sore back.

No, seriously the glass was spotless. I think it might be some kind of reflection. I did clone out some larger spots from nearer the top of the glass.


Meow, the colour saturation is a point in question. If I increase the saturation I get too much noise.
However I do tend to like the subdued colours in this case.

Thank you both for your comments.


Cameron

Cameron,
In my view its the fact that the vase is lighter than the rose - normally you would have the lighter objects in the foreground and the darker ones to the back.

Other than that I like the idea - I would play around with the lighting, perhaps a second light (penlight) just illuminating the rose might help the overall image.

You have my sympathies, I too have spinal problems.

Cheers
David

Hi, David.
Thanks for the reply. I take your point on the light and dark colours and also like the idea of a second light on the rose. I'll give it a try.

Cameron.
P.S. Thanks for the kind words. I'm sorry to hear you are also plagued with a similar condition. I hope to be back at work next week.

Hi Cameron,

I played with this same thing a month or so ago and achieved the following results:
http://www.pbase.com/m​olydood/hoegarden&page​=all

its all just experimental really, but maybe it can help in some way.

I found that manual mode was the way to go to get the exposure just as you want it, also, try blowing out some areas to give a dramatic effect. The only other thing I would try is a different coloured light perhaps.

nice shot btw, much more professional than a lot of my efforts
Martin

Hi Martin,

Thanks for the reply. This is the kind of info I was hoping for.

1. Different coloured light.
2. Blow out particular areas.
3. Use a second light.
4. Lighter objects in the foreground and the darker ones to the back.

Nos. 3 & 4 are courtesy of David ( Meerkat17).

BTW some of the photoshop work I did on the shot was a bit rough a ready since I was only experimenting ( ie the white matting around the fringe of the rose.) The rose isn't pasted, I selected it to bring out some colour and contrast.


Had a look at your "hoegarden" gallery, really like it. The last two shots are my favourite.

Thanks again,

Cameron

I like the low light, looks awesome.

Only thing that needs improvement is that poor rose... maybe find one that is not dying next time

The picture is awesome. I really like it.

cmM wrote:
I like the low light, looks awesome.

Only thing that needs improvement is that poor rose... maybe find one that is not dying next time

The picture is awesome. I really like it.

Thanks for the kind words Chris, and yes, you're right the rose was old.
Then again so was that 16 year old Lagavulin Islay Malt Whisky behind it. !
Medicinal by the way. LOL.

Cameron

guess what ... even i was down with slip disc ...... and did some painting with light .. jus posted it heres the image .. macro gallery at

http://www.geocities.c​om/sneakyguy4u/v2.jpg

about the pic .. its awesome...hope u all r back on ur feet and running abt again