[IanHoughton]

A few more from my attempts at Still Life the other night.....

[Les Meehan]

Ian, the last two do it for me. The bits from the pencils is interesting and the lamp image nice and moody. For me the others are not particularly interesting.

With the scrapings image, may I suggest you redo it but this time place your light source low down to one side (almost level with the tabletop and only one light) and the use white card reflectors to bounce light back into the scene. This will produce a moody, edge lighting effect that will transform this simple still-life into something special. Once you have the bits positioned and camera set, move the light around the scene until it 'pops' at you ('pops' = suddenly looks interesting). For example, in the image shown, the thin wood of the shavings would have been backlit if the light had been from top left corner and level with tabletop. This would have caused the bits to glow. The contrast is then controlled with reflectors. You will be amazed at what you can achieve with one light and reflectors!

[Summerleft]

I liek the pencil shavings one, the pencils on their own have been done too many time before I think. I do like the last one as well, the lamp especially stands out.

[Ali]

The pencil shavings for me! Of the other pencil shots, I quite like the interlocking pencil tips one but the shavings one has the most 'pull' and interest.

The last one is a jolly good shot, but it doesn't really do anything for me. I like the lighting and the lamp itself but not so much the paperwork/calculator/pencil. Although it's been said many times, we all like different things!

[Rob Barron]

The last one is definitely my favourite. The set up has been well thought out and I feel would be much the poorer were it not for the calculator and money on the paperwork. The lamp is commonly known as a Banker's Lamp so tying it all together with the money and so forth makes it all hold together extremely well. The lighting is spot on with it too. Very good indeed.

The first two don't do much for me, the 3rd is better and the 4th has more about it with a variety of textures from the same thing. I like that one as it holds my interest but still provides a lovely rich colour tapestry.

Well done Ian, good work.
Cheers,
Rob