Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: wmchauncey on September 28, 2014, 06:14:58 pm
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Been working a little lately with Orchids and can't get the lighting to look right.
This Zerene stack was shot using three work lights at subject level, one behind and two about 20 degrees on either side of the camera.
A little shadows & highlights was applied in PS...can't seem to get the texture in the petals.
Is lighting my problem...or what else might be?
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l383/chauncey43/Pair-of-orchids-copy.jpg) (http://s329.photobucket.com/user/chauncey43/media/Pair-of-orchids-copy.jpg.html)
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If you can try placing the subject by a window and shoot natural light only.
Use a reflector of some type for the shadow side. Use black velvet for
the background, the results sould turn out stunning.
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Your light is too flat. At first glance I thought this was a ring light.
In order to get surface texture to show up, the light needs to be at a much steeper angle. Try moving one so it's coming in from the side, and the other closer to the camera (or leave it at 20 degrees.) The side light will bring out the texture, and the front light will fill in shadows so it's not too contrasty. Move the front light in and out until you get the effect you want.
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I'd suggest:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/techniques/sculpting_with_light.shtml
Also, it could be what you're shooting with. But most likely you've got way too much light on this thing. Looks blown to me. Try using softer light. Move your lights further away. Change the angles. If you can't see the detail with your eye, likely the camera won't either.
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Maddog, I missed that treatise...thanks for the link. I should have heeded the difficulties that I've had taking pictures of
Egrets, or any white thing for that matter. Shadows give depth...Dah!