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Skylar McMahon View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Skylar McMahon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Settings: Area of improvement
    Posted: October/22/2014 at 16:53
Here's a picture I took:
 
 
Details:
Shooting Mode: Aperture Priority
F- stop: f/10
Exposure time: 1/20 sec.
ISO Speed: ISO-6400 (Auto ISO)
Exposure bias: 0 step
Focal Length: 48mm
Max Aperture: 4.6
Metering Mode: Pattern
35mm Focal Length: 72
 
 
My question is, based on appearance, what measure could I take to improve?
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Peddler View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/22/2014 at 17:12
Latin to me and I took 3 years, go figure! Ask our Bud, Ted.
When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.

It is the same when you are stupid.
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/22/2014 at 17:37
Right off hand, it looks like you picked the focus point wrong.  You need to focus on the point between the rings.  Use manual focus, perhaps?  Going to a greater depth of field would also help.

Consider using longer focal length and positioning the camera further from the subject.  That will give you less of a perception of depth and the two rings will look more of the same size.

You need to decide what you are doing with the bright spots that reflected the light (on the inside of the rings): either use a more diffuse light source or underexpose a touch.  There isn't much contrast in the scene, so you want to boost the midtone microcontrast and collapse global contrast a touch.  It is best done in post processing, but you need to make sure you do not blow the highlights first.

ILya




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tejas View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tejas Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/22/2014 at 18:55
If you use Nikon: Use two or more off camera flashes. In Nikon speak thats called CLS I believe. On your camera itself go to the flash menu and choose commander mode then set your remote flashes for TTL, or manual if you like. Position them at 30-45 degree angles to the side, and above your subject. DO use manual focus as stated above. Then use a smaller aperture. i use two SB600 flashes on my D7000. It works great for portraits and so forth too. If you get shadows from the flashes, move them around a bit or use a black background.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/22/2014 at 21:37
I can't add much more to what has already been said.

Use longer focal length and get a bit further from your subject. Between 70mm - 100mm is probably best for that. Depth of field becomes super shallow when you get too close and you can't stop down your aperture enough to get everything in focus. Longer focal length "compresses" the scene as Ilya said, so you don't have a distorted perspective. Use that DOF app you have on your phone to help you with focus distance and DOF at various apertures and focal lengths. Remember that the limits of DOF is greater beyond your point of focus than in front of it, so focus on portions of the scene closer to you.

Turn off auto ISO for still life shots like that, especially if you're shooting off a tripod. Set a low to moderate ISO and your camera will adjust shutter speed to compensate. You don't need ISO6400 if you're not hand-holding the shot, and it will introduce quite a bit of unwanted noise you'll have to remove in post. Auto ISO is useful for when you're trying to keep shutter speed from getting too slow and blurring your subject while shooting handheld.

All that being said, the best technique to use depends on what you're trying to do. Sometimes you may want a paper thin portion of the scene in sharp focus and allow the rest to go soft for creative reasons. However, I don't this is one of those times, since this is likely a sales photo, and given the fact you selected f/10.
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.
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daveco View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote daveco Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/15/2015 at 22:46
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-use-a-light-tent-for-small-product-photography/

http://www.studiolighting.net/homemade-light-box-for-product-photography/

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8shots View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 8shots Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/16/2015 at 02:01

Yes, I was going to say all of the aboveExcellent

More specifically the ISO is very high.

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