A few shots of the guitar

Combining a few of the loves of my life.

1.

both aren't bad.

#1 is kinda busy in the bg, and the dust is kind of distracting

#2 coud have been cropped a little tighter to focus more on the pick.

unlike nw85887 i like the dust, but i agree 2 could be cropped more

Could you guys post a suggestion as to how much to crop? I can't seem to find a happy medium between chopping off the body and the relative size of the pick.

Thanks in advance!

I'd crop it so the pick sits in the lower right third (with the same aspect). Though this may make the white (cream) rail a bit distracting. I actually find the strap a little distracting actually.

I agree on the first one. First thing I though was the BG was distracting.

SHRED IT LIKE A NINJA DUDE!

Just my opinion here as both a fellow photographer and a fellow musician...

I think the problem with both of these shots is the "setting"...they look like they were shot on a porch rail or something and to me it really just doesn't work. For the type of work your trying to do here, I think between the shape of the guitar itself and that lovely stained finish, you really don't need anything else at all in the shot. I'd go for a really plain background or at the very least, keep it down to some kind of complimentary wood flooring or something. I think I'd also try and go for a darker, moody look too to make that finish stand out (BTW, I don't care for the dust either...clean that sucker!). I would also probably try getting a little more DOF too...not a lot, but I'd be selective with this.

Now I will add that I think this also might have worked if you have of set the shot up differently as well. Wider angle with the guitar (and maybe even an amp) leaning on the porch rail as though someone had just been playing it and decided to take a break and go get a nice cool glass of ice tea...in other words a picture that really tells a story.

If you want some really cool ideas for some shots, take a look through something like the Fender yearly calender...they get some really nice shots that may help to inspire you .

Just some thoughts for ya!

Peace,
Jim

thanks for the great ideas Walczak.