Still Life: Late Afternoon Break

Still life, shared credit with Steven Lifson. I "designed" the shot and lent a hand...literally!...while he took the actual photo.

We're interested in feedback as to what's right as well as what's wrong. Shot by afternoon sunlight through the window, I was trying to capitalize on the illumination of edges: edges of my hand, and of the glass. I like the dust on the table, though many could find it distracting. Likewise, the blinds in the background could be distracting, although I like the complexity it adds. I also like the tilt. The sun spots are simply unfortunate, I think.

Since my husband did the shooting, it was in P mode and auto focus, Rebel XTi (55-250 zoom lens, IS).

Ok, after some thought and discussion with more learned eyes, I've concluded the following: The focus is in the wrong place. It should be precisely where the hand and glass connect. A different dof, one that throws the bg into a soft, unobtrusive blur would heighten the impact. So, opening the aperture would help. That will require a faster shutter speed, so there must be a careful attention to the lighting. As it is, it's a wee bit blown on the top of the hand. I want it luminescent, not "A-Bomb" lighting.

I like the tilt, although that can be bothersome to some. I like upsetting the brain's complacency with the unexpected at times. The effectiveness of that is up for debate.

Anyone?

Hi, Rachel.

Rachel Foster said:

Ok, after some thought and discussion with more learned eyes, I've concluded the following: The focus is in the wrong place. It should be precisely where the hand and glass connect. A different dof, one that throws the bg into a soft, unobtrusive blur would heighten the impact. So, opening the aperture would help. That will require a faster shutter speed, so there must be a careful attention to the lighting. As it is, it's a wee bit blown on the top of the hand. I want it luminescent, not "A-Bomb" lighting.[/qote]

All well said. The highlights on the glass are a bit too hot for me as well.

I like the tilt, although that can be bothersome to some.

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I like it. (I might have like a little less better.)

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Rachel

for me the picture is The Glass on the Table
without the hand-it doesn't seem to go together
the shot and light are powerful enough
and the dust adds a human interesting quality-
it is The Dark Silver Chalice-
no I am nooooo expert for sure
but my thoughts
I adore the dark goth quality it brings forth**

Charlotte

Thank you, Charlotte. I want to keep the darkness, the "broody"-ness.

o definitely so
its so inspiring for me-

Charlotte

Ah, I'm caught in a dilmma, perhaps one wrapped in an enigma..or perhaps just a lack of skill with the Reb.

Here is my attempt at reshoot correcting for the blown highlights.




It lacks that which drew me to the original. I'm going to have to puzzle on how to keep what I like about the original and yet correct the deficiencies.


The struggle continues.

the other is a beautiful shot as well-did you dust that table girl?
still there is something about the light in the first that holds me to it-
maybe it is the explosive effect
and ethereal as well-

C-

No, the dust remains undisturbed. It's all in the lighting. I don't know how to keep the elements such as the table and the glass and tone down my hand. Maybe I need darker skin taht's less reflective. I'm unsure where to go from here.

I am no expert but could you in the last one maybe slightly-but slight turn on the dark in the glass but ever so sublte to match the hand
dunno just a suggestion-
ot in some way allow more light throuigh the blinds- if you can-hmm scratches her head too*