Commons:Photography critiques/December 2014

Shiny book covers

Hi, I am trying to make pictures of shiny book covers. The result is average (I needed a lot of try and error), and it can certainly be improved. Also how to create a small home photo studio? Thanks, Yann (talk) 19:41, 10 December 2014 (UTC)

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Hi @Yann: , I guess we both are at similar stages of "studio" development ;-) I don't have time for it now, but I can share some of my experiences later. In the mean time, could you maybe describe your general lighting setup a bit? That could make it easier to make recommendations … --El Grafo (talk) 13:19, 11 December 2014 (UTC)

Thanks your message. I used a Yongnuo flash (YN568EX II) in slave mode in addition to the built-in flash on the camera. Regards, Yann (talk) 13:37, 11 December 2014 (UTC)

El Grafo, Yann, Christian, the definitive textbook on lighting is Light Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting. (I see there is a new edition due in March next year, but that is a while away and these things often get delayed as it probably hasn't finished being written -- and the fundamentals don't change). I have this book and it is excellent. Obviously some advanced lighting requires several light sources and elaborate modifiers, though these Yongnuo flashes makes for relatively inexpensive studio setups. The book will teach you pretty much all you need to know. Ask Santa for it. -- Colin (talk) 16:14, 11 December 2014 (UTC)

• Thanks Colin for the book reference, here there is a link for a french translation of this book -- ChristianFerrer 08:19, 13 December 2014 (UTC)

I'm not a studio photo expert at all, but I think I understand some aspects of it from 3d graphics. In this case (especially for #2 above), I would probably try to put a grey piece of cardboard in the direction in which the spine is reflecting to make sure the reflective part is legible and doesn't have too much variation (at least if legibility is a goal) and then put a white (ideally larger) piece of cardboard/paper behind the camera to make sure the diffuse light is more dominant than the reflective one to keep the highlights in control. Then, if possible, flash onto those with the slave flash. Obviously, they can also both be white and the flash mainly goes onto the latter. And try to keep the built-in flash relatively low in such a scenario. Not sure if that helps, but I have occasionally had some good results with similar setups, imitating multiple softboxes with a single slave flash and large sheets of paper. Clothespins are your friend. :) — Julian H.^✈(talk/files) 08:52, 13 December 2014 (UTC)

Argiope pulchella

Recently I photographed a Argiope pulchella courtship moment. The closeup filter was not with me; so not able to capture decent shots of the male and the kleptoparasite on her web. But after reviewing existing FPs (Only 5 Argiope FPs so far), I'm curious whether it worth a try. :)

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  Option 1
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  Option 2
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  Ventral view

Dorsal view

Option 1:File:Argiope pulchella at Nayikayam Thattu.jpg This is the sharpest picture I captured; so my preferred choice. But the male is OOF.

Not bad, CAs around the male. -- ChristianFerrer 15:08, 13 December 2014 (UTC)

 Done Jee, I could not help but try to improve the details and remove the overexposure at top right, hope this version is good but do not hesitate if you have any over query. -- ChristianFerrer 18:43, 13 December 2014 (UTC)

Thanks Christian; it looks much better! Jee 02:56, 14 December 2014 (UTC)

Nominated at fpc. :) Jee 07:07, 14 December 2014 (UTC)

Option 2:File:Argiope pulchella around Nayikayam Thattu.jpg Here and male and female are reasonably sharp. If this is preferred choice, does it need to be brightened a bit?

Jee, in the file history or here, I make a try, if you like you can revert on it and/or ask me a modification (less noise in the background...) -- ChristianFerrer 15:08, 13 December 2014 (UTC)

Thanks Christian, I like that edit. But detail-wise, option 1 seems better. Or you think that to is over exposed? Any possibility to remove that CA? Jee 16:13, 13 December 2014 (UTC)

Ventral view

File:Argiope pulchella of Nayikayam Thattu.jpg. We've only one FP so far. Does this worth a try?

Too overexposed IMO -- ChristianFerrer 15:08, 13 December 2014 (UTC)

Feel free to make any criticizing comment too as they are very helpful to me. Jee 12:20, 13 December 2014 (UTC)