Inspiring Photo: Earthware #14442833

Earthware

Uploaded: April 13, 2014 | Entered: April 13, 2014 20:36:45

Description

Shutter Speed: 1/6.00 F-stop: f/9.0
Focal Length: 28.00

Exif: F Number: 9, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/6 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 200, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 28.00 mm, Model: SLT-A77V

Comments

Joy Rector April 14, 2014

beautiful comp, love it #1569964

Dale Hardin April 14, 2014

Thanks Joy. I was putting away items that tumbled during the recent earthquake and noticed how similar they were, so decided to take a shot or two. It's funny how one can have lots of "stuff" in a house for years and never really notice it. #11023356

Elaine Hessler April 14, 2014

Beautiful still life! Did you use a filter or anything on this? The pottery seems a little noisy on my end. The colors and light are beautiful! #11023639

Jeff E Jensen April 14, 2014

Come now, Dale. This was a great opportunity for you to work on the monthly challenge. #11023721

Kalena Randall April 14, 2014

Lovely, Dale! Now didn't you tell me that you couldn't do still life very well? I'd say this is a very fine example!

:-) #11023737

Susan Williams April 14, 2014

Very nice composition, Dale, and a great subject (for the BP monthly - Back to Basics). I see the noise Elaine mentions and wonder if you didn't go too far with High Pass. Seems like an easy fix for you, though. Super job. #11023756

Anthony L. Mancuso April 14, 2014

Excellent still life Dale..the lighting is spot on and I like the limited color palate as well...I do like the comp with the exception of the placement of the spoon. I think the image would be stronger without it or perhaps with it placed horizontally in the lower right corner.

I see the noise the others mentioned too. At first I thought it was the texture of the ceramic but it is also evident in the spoon, so I'm not really sure what to make of it.. #11023770

Dale Hardin April 14, 2014

Thanks everyone. I struggle a lot with still life and did so with this. Have many more and will try to post one or two.

You're right about the "noise". At the last minute, I applied a charcoal filter and reduced the opacity to about 20% to darken the image a bit and bring out the texture. Guess I went too far.

Tony, I had lot of trouble with the spoon placement. It's location seemed OK until I cropped. The reason for the crop was because the pieces all looked "in a row" without it.

#11023840

Dale Hardin April 14, 2014

Here is another version without the charcoal filtering. #11023860

Kalena Randall April 15, 2014

Dale, I like the one without the charcoal filtering the best. I like the blue table cloth with the fade to black background. The stoneware stands out much better.

I do like the one with the charcoal, too. I wonder how it would look with a new edit of in between the two.

See, Dale, you really are good at this, but you're right it us hard! Place this here or there...hmmmmm?
#11023899

Beth Spencer April 15, 2014

I like your edit better. The different placement of the spoon made a big difference. I like it without the charcoal filter also, but the background and lighting are great! #11024072

Anthony L. Mancuso April 15, 2014

I like the charcoal filter version better, despite the noise. I prefer the comp of that image as well, spoon notwithstanding..but I would consider cloning it out if that's easier than a reshoot. #11024078

Dale Hardin April 15, 2014

Kalena, Beth and Tony, thanks for the input. The second shot is not an edit on the image, but another shot. I have a number without the spoon and without the candle as well. Will drag one out and re-post later. #11024144

Dale Hardin April 15, 2014

Here are two more from the same shoot. #11024156

Susan Williams April 15, 2014

Oh, wow. I love #3 and #4. The comp, lighting, reflections, and placement of the stoneware are excellent, Dale. I wouldn't change a thing. #11024197

Peter W. Marks April 16, 2014

This I do like very much Dale. My brain filters out stuff like 'noise' on images, I only see what I choose to see. Life is so much more beautiful that way.
Just as a different image (in no way better) I would like to see something like this just after snuffing out the candle so that a wisp of smoke curls upwards. want to try that sometime?
#11024247

Dale Hardin April 16, 2014

Thank you so much Susan. Made my day. I truly do struggle with still life placement and was unsure about all of them.

Peter, that is a great idea. I did shoot the candle while it was burning but hadn't thought of catching during the dying moments. Will give it a try. #11024463

Michael Kelly April 16, 2014

I like them all Dale. Wonderful examples of still life shots. Good WB, textures and colors as well as nice arrangements of the pieces.

I am intrigued by Peter's suggestion and would love to see what a shot like that would look like. #11024523

Dale Hardin April 16, 2014

Thanks, Mike. I like his idea also and am going to give it a try. #11024526

Dale Hardin April 16, 2014

OK guys, here are the shots. This was fun. #11024640

Elaine Hessler April 16, 2014

Ok-lots of good stuff here. I really like the composition of Earthware better than Stoneware 2, although they are both really nice. It's just the filter that is throwing me on the first shot.

I love Stoneware 3. Stoneware 4, I don't like as much because the first piece is out of focus and its throwing me off. I also prefer the darker background to showcase the pieces.

And the best is last. I absolutely LOVE Lights Out. And I like it better than the second. I prefer the color and the composition of the first-it is excellent, and Erin agrees:) #11024732

Dale Hardin April 16, 2014

Thanks Elaine, and Erin. The candle was a fun thing to try. Had to take a lot of shots because the smoke doesn't last long and even then goes in weird directions.

It would have been easier to shoot an incense and post process it to the candle. #11024736

Susan Williams April 16, 2014

What a great idea by Peter, and then it came to pass. You're good, Dale. I love Lights Out, and that the smoke is going sideways to the right. The shape of the melted wax adds interest and the earthware candleholder is a beautiful and timeless piece of art on its own. Overall, a very nice still life and I would not be surprised if it isn't a winner in the BP contest. #11024749

Dale Hardin April 16, 2014

You're so kind to convey such nice comments, Susan. If it does get a notice then that means I have to thank Peter again doesn't it? Gad, I'd never live it down. :o) #11024795

Peter W. Marks April 16, 2014

I will share why the smoke is blowing off to the right Susan. It's like this- Dale gets easily excited and Fifi had just come in to the room wearing her latest poolside outfit she will be taking to Portland with you guys later this year. As I said, he gets very excited and breaths a little heavily then........ #11024802

Dale Hardin April 16, 2014

Laughing my a** off!!! #11024806

Peter W. Marks April 17, 2014

You are a good sport Dale! It is interesting how we all have differing opinions on these various offerings.
1) I think we probably agree that the placement of the spoon in Earthware 2 greatly helps the composition.
2) The squarer format of the original is more appealing as it leaves a bit more headroom above the pots.
3) I do like your efforts with the smoke and of course easy for me to say would like to see that effect on your Earthware 2
4)I wonder what that image would look like with the candle lighted and the square format as suggested in 2)

#11025012

Rita K. Connell April 17, 2014

I thought I commented but realized I wanted to see it on my desk top before I did. Ipad are great but not viewing images.

I going to be the odd man out I love your original post, I really like the filter on it do not see it as noise at all. the placement of the spoon is ok if its a real problem clone it out.
lights out one is awesome a winner for sure. I totally agree with Susan on this one. #11025133

Dale Hardin April 17, 2014

Thanks Peter. Probably won't take any more shots using these elements but do have a few more images from the shoot to look at. Unfortunately the only smoke images are with the lone candlestick and not with a group. Although a composite is not out of the question.

Rita, thanks so much. Am always willing to try something to see if it flies. #11025197

Michael Kelly April 17, 2014

I am gald you tried it. Lights Out is outstanding - great job! #11025209

Dale Hardin April 17, 2014

Thank you Mike. #11025213

Sherran Andersen April 17, 2014

Looks like you have been hard at work... I like the results a lot. You've got lots to choose from. #11025299

Dale Hardin April 17, 2014

Thanks Sherran. This is what happens on a lazy day. :o) #11025327

Beth Spencer April 19, 2014

I really like the first one with the smoke! I bet using incense would be a fun project. #11026195

Anthony L. Mancuso April 19, 2014

Like the smoke shots a lot Dale...I just think #2 could use some room on the top an d right.. #11026221

Dale Hardin April 19, 2014

Thanks Beth. With incense you have a lot more time to get the shot.

Thank you Tony. I agree. Hadn't expected the smoke to rise straight up so almost clipped it. But with PP would be able to correct both issues. #11026255

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