Some Fun Photos

August 2, 2011


       Most of the time, I take in-focus images with lighting that shows plenty of detail. I do this to present an accurate and "honest" visual account of what I am presenting or selling on E-Bay. However, today, I decided to "show off" or perhaps to present to you images that are "more "fun" and visually dynamic.

       I was a diehard film aficionado, but as of August 2011, the "average" DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera is "almost" at par in terms of image size and quality. Moreover, the cost is minuscule compared to having worked with film is unbelievable. It took much more "thinking" to work out the lighting on a shoot. However, with the digital camera, you can work with your lights and reflectors to get an accurate final image. With film there was light meter reading, determining the contrast, the subject contrast, the film latitude, and so forth. And 2 weeks ago, someone had patented a camera that will focus automatically with accurate focus or selective focus at the same time with a complex array of light sensors!

Selective Focus

Most of the time, I'm using a small lens opening (aperture) to maximize the focus and depth-of-field.

In the above 3 example, I decided to use a wide-open aperture. This diminishes the depth-of-field and provides a shallower focus. 

Also, the longer the focal length, the shallower the depth-of-field. Commercially, like the photos above, I'd use this technique to "zoom in" on a feature of a toy or product. Outdoors, I would use this to focus on a flower and blur the background.

Lighting 

Lighting for me is the most important factor in a photograph. You need to remember that film, or the digital camera, records in 2 dimensions (L x W), whereas whatever you're taking a photo of is 3 dimension 

(L x W x H).

To bring back or create the third dimension, you work with your lights. Artists figured this out long ago. By working with different shades, and different quantities of light, shadows and highlights will return the third dimension to you.

An Image that I'll use for E-Bay

Plenty of detail all over, except for the tires.

An image with more contrast and more drama.

This is more of a personal image or one to be sold.

A 1 light photo presenting the texture and detail of the seat of this

Metal Master toy coupe.

This is the same 1 light as above, but I have added 1 silver reflector

to "fill in" the shadows. Using a second light, the light would be called a "fill light"., while the primary light is called the "main light" The main light is the "establishing light" that create the mood, texture, provides detail, and so forth.

Another 1 light with a reflector image.

The same image but without any "fill" light.

The same image but a "little bit" of "fill" light.

The same 1 light, but using a shiny reflector at an acute (sharp) angle to the subject

to create a "moodier" image with those bright areas called "highlights".

I've given you, the viewers, a sample of what lighting can do. I do use LTM spot lights that are 

3200 degrees in colour temperature. However, in the near future, I will use the sun with reflectors to try and do the same lighting. Not everyone wants to work with these "hot" lights, nor should you.

So once again, thanks for dropping by, and if you would like to suggest a topic or have any feedback or questions, please, by all means drop me aline.