[mouldy101]

A different one from my iced flowers series. Lighting was difficult with this one, the ice is so reflective. Honest Critiscm please people...

Thanks Matt

[cotter]

Really like this. Colours, comp are very good.

I would like to see more shots as the ice melted.

Great idea BTW

well done

[Rob Barron]

This doesn't have the same arty feel as the first one Matt. I think I'd like to see the whole of the bottom flower, the crop doesn't quite work. The top flower would probably be of more interest when about a half to two-thirds has melted so that we see part of the centre area as well to provide more contrast.

Have you tried using a ring-flash to take these shots in order to spread the light and not have strong shadows? I'm particularly thinking of the shadows on the top flower petals.

Don't get me wrong, I quite like this picture but it doesn't have the same strong appeal that the first one most definitely has.

Cheers,
Rob

[mouldy101]

Rob,

I wish I could afford a ring flash!!!!! I'm afraid finances mean I am working with relatively basic kit at the moment.

I'm with you though Rob, this photo doesn't have the same appeal as the other for me either. The reason you can't see all of the bottom flower is due to the method I had to use to ensure the piece stayed upright (A black and Decker work mate!!!) and the light was sunlight from the left of the fame.

The point of a flash is interesting, any light from the front resulted in large reflections from the ice so I dont know whether this would have worked ( saying that I have no ecperience of ring flash)

Thanks for taking the time to comment Rob, much appreciated, I will post more from the series at the beginning of next week when I have the chance to convert the RAW files....

[skipper954]

This is a wonderful concept. I haven't seen your other one yet, but I really like this with a few minor crits.

I agree with Rob that the bottom crop cutting off the flower is off-putting. It also seems that the focus is not perfect, but that may be the compression of the file or the effect of the ice.


But the thought of these flowers in full bloom, covered with a sheet of ice is great.

skip

[Rob Barron]

LOL Matt, I can just imagine you at home with your missus (which you might not even have but I'm just letting my imagination go daft!) saying 'I hope you don't think you're sticking that lump of ice on my nice clean table... get it off!

<Matt trudges off to find the only friend he has in the house.... his Black & Decker Workmate!>

[Les Meehan]

I don't know your expertise with lighting but you asked for honest comments so here goes...

Apart from the compositional issues, which has been commented and replied on, it is the lighting that is letting you down with this image.

I am not convinced about ring-flash for ice (or any relatively reflective subject), sorry Rob, because as you mention I think you will have real trouble with highlights.

Usually, most pros will light a transparent/translucent subject with some form of backlighting. Now this is not direct backlighting, i.e. pointing the light onto the back of the subject, but 'indirect' backlighting. Lighting glassware/crystal/ice is best done but using the refractive properties of the subject. Take a look at most glassware shots in mags/catalogues and you will see that it is the 'background' that has been lit and not the subject! If you place a white background behind and direct a light onto this, the reflected light will be refracted by your transparent subject creating dark and light areas. By making the light on the background graduated in some way you will alter the light in the subject.
If you want a black background it requires a similar but more involved system.

To put light onto the front to pink up the colours of the solid objects, use white card reflectors or a second light through a tracing paper diffuser.

For info: When I was doing work in my studio in London (many years ago now) I was usually commissioned to shoot all of Habitats glassware (amongst most of their other stuff like major roomsets). Anyone who remembers Habitat catalogues will know the glassware was always done nicely. I have a lot of experience with this stuff!

[mouldy101]

good stuff les, thanks for the info. I did try with a white background, and reflecting light off of it as you said, however any detail in the ice was lost.... My e3xperience is very limited, but the C+C here kepps me learning all the time.

Rob, you have conveyed a worringly accurate portayal of my home life!!!!!