Lighting Challenges discussion thread

It is, deliberately, I didn't say that it was made of chrome-plated steel and so highly reflective with complex shapes, it was just a simple example.
What would be a budget for something like that Garry, could I fly to the alps to get a lovely crisp snowy background to intimate clean and fresh
 
No chance! When I retired 10 years ago I would charge for one day, £1,000 plus any technical costs, no job ever lasts less than a day, more effluent areas such as London would be much higher, even allowing for inflation your trip, although technically a technical cost, wouldn't pay:)
 
Briefs can vary a lot here, from half a sheet of paper to a book, and when the agency really hates a photographer they send along a failed photographer creative director to supervise, demand the impossible and get in the way, so there are wide variations.
:ROFLMAO:

his appeals to me personally, but I think it may be a bit too demanding for many people... I think that it's now working well, Many people have achieved great things:) The problem for me is to keep it going, which is why I keep asking for help.
I can help talk someone through almost any situation/problem as well as most; and I'm more than willing...
 
Excellent, we have our first willing volunteer :D

Any lighting technique you like, as long as it doesn't need much in terms of either gear or space, one or two lights.
Any subject you like, as long as it isn't rare, expensive or similar, * which is why I tend to go for squishy biscuit things, baguettes, cups, bottles or similar - people often tend to go for similar subjects to mine, even though they don't need to.

And SOOC images, for honesty and demonstrating the truth of the lighting effect.

By all means run any ideas you have through me first if that will help, via PM

* As an example of what not to do, I'd like to set a challenge using one of my old side x side shotguns as the subject, lots of carvings, engraving, shiny bits, patina etc but that wouldn't work in the UK
 
Being cheeky here, but if you don't ask you don't get, some of the challenges focus on single items would it be at all possible to share your expertise on multiple objects of different shapes and sizes?

round, square, tubes etc and the ways we could overcome the challenges that crop up in a scene like that.
 
I must say the black camera lens on a black background idea Steven suggested sounded quite intriguing. I was planning on experimenting with that over the weekend. :)
 
Being cheeky here, but if you don't ask you don't get, some of the challenges focus on single items would it be at all possible to share your expertise on multiple objects of different shapes and sizes?

round, square, tubes etc and the ways we could overcome the challenges that crop up in a scene like that.
Something like this? Or more like multiple perfume bottles of various shapes?
Because if it is the latter, the "easy way" to overcome those kind of issues is often photographing them separately and compositing.

17906507104_4033865841_c.jpg
 
My attempt at the black lens on black background technique.
Final85mm1024.jpg
Many thanks for keeping me amused for some of the weekend. @sk66 :D

I documented the steps I took and the setup so if the results were deemed worthy it could pretty easily be cobbled into a challenge.
 
My attempt at the black lens on black background technique.
View attachment 474439
Many thanks for keeping me amused for some of the weekend. @sk66 :D

I documented the steps I took and the setup so if the results were deemed worthy it could pretty easily be cobbled into a challenge.
Very good start. The challenge won't be posted until next month (giving 1 month between each). Every attempt is "worthy"... the point isn't perfection; it's improvement (knowledge, skill, etc).
 
Very good start. The challenge won't be posted until next month (giving 1 month between each). Every attempt is "worthy"... the point isn't perfection; it's improvement (knowledge, skill, etc).
So its in the works and I jumped the gun... oops! :)
Looking forward to seeing the official challenge. I struggled to get things balanced exactly how I wanted in my minds eye, one degree here or there on the lights, lens or camera gave vastly different results. Light spillage on the BG and specular highlights were a pain, its got to be one of the most difficult subject/ styles I have tried to photograph to date.
Loads of fun though.
 
A change in the angle of the lens would give a different result, showing F stops or focus scale for instance.
 
A change in the angle of the lens would give a different result, showing F stops or focus scale for instance.
Not the point of that specific challenge but I really liked using the lights to show off the MC and aperture of the lens. I barely changed the lights positions, only the position of the lens and camera for this one.
lens3.jpg
 
Not the point of that specific challenge but I really liked using the lights to show off the MC and aperture of the lens. I barely changed the lights positions, only the position of the lens and camera for this one.
View attachment 474447
Pro shot Ryan
 
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