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Avi
{K:70138} 1/7/2007
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Brilliant control of exposure.... LOVE IT !!!!
Avi
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Mark Longo
{K:12760} 2/28/2006
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Thanks for the tip on the 30D, I'd not heard that yet. I'll have a look. I've had my 350D for a year now without a single complaint so it'd be hard to justify a new toy, yet one loves to be tempted! :)
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/28/2006
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Thanks Mark, I'm taking 2-3 shots of each, though not bracketing :) That's an excellent idea! The RAW in DPP is very cumbersome, I really don't like it. One day I'll upgrade to CS2, it seems to have much more features.
Canon has announced a new 30D - it's actually not in stores, but it looks impressive and costs less than the 20D.
Best regards, Ina
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Mark Longo
{K:12760} 2/28/2006
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I understand the difficulty of RAW, Ina. I used PS7 for years and did not bother with RAW. I recently upgraded to CS2, which has a simple and very useable RAW interface via the Adobe file manager, which comes bundled with CS2. A lot of money though for CS2 and the advanced capabilities of CS2 beyond PS7, while very significant, would not be useful unless you are into a LOT of post processing (which I'm starting to be). I would think you have more than enough temp control via the Color Balance dialog in PS7.
BTW, one other technique to consider is usiong a tripod to take bracketed shots, then put the shots on separate layers and selectively erase. This would allow you to combine a shot that has good shadow detail but blown highlights, with a shot that has good highlights, but no shadow detail. Others have done this very successfully. Just a suggestion.
Mark
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/28/2006
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Thanks very much forthe support Mark, and for your in-depth comment!
I don't have the luxury of indoor natural light (my condo windows are tinted) and the sun doesn't get through as far as I could set up the still life, but I'm considering working indoors with two light sources. I completely forgot about RAW, I seldom use it, I find it very cumbersome to go into Canon's DPP software and then into PS7 - which cannot read RAW. Also, the color adjustments in PS are not as easy with other formats (TIFF, PSD) when converted from RAW.
But I'll have to learn DPP better, despite these limitations, as you said, the color temperature is key, that's why I like the sunlight, and will continue to improve on these aspects.
Great insights, Mark!
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Kelly Duntley
{K:13889} 2/28/2006
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I seem to like this view of the still life best of the two. It has more balance to me and the colors are more vibrant the way the items are arranged. I want to see every item on the table. A great visual for the eyes.
Kelly
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Mark Longo
{K:12760} 2/27/2006
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Another great effort Ina! You really do have a knack for making these arrangements and choosing interestign objects to use. I like the simplicity of this arrangement and the large shell is so gorgeous!
Some areas of the composition seem a little too dark in this one. I understand that you are going for a darker classic Dutch sort of look here, but I think a reflector of some sort might help here, as you are losing the shadow detail (opera glasses, onion, grapes). I think the color of sunlight flatters this arrangement, just some sort of reflector (perhaps gold?) might let you keep the low light look without losing the shadows.
You posted a very beautiful Dutch still life. Looking at that, it appears to be an interior with the the light coming from an open window to the left. The back of the still life is seen in shadow, yet fine detail is still visible in the objects. Also, the artist has cleverly used the brighter light to gently draw the eye to the priciple aspects of the work, subbordinating the backing objects in the duller ambient room light.
It's a terribly facinating challenge to acheive this feeling in a photograph (at least to me it is!) I believe that one way to shoot this is to setup indoors near a north facing window (no direct sunlight) and to shoot with a high enough ISO setting to maintain shadow detail. Attention to exposure is everything here. The narrow band of light-to-dark detail visible through a camera is generally less than that visible to the eye, a handicap that the painter is not concerned with. You need to not have the objects in direct light, but it's helpful if the objects you want to highlight are closer to the light.
Also, shooting this sort of thing in RAW is essential because it allows you to custom set the temperature of the exposure, the amount of exposure, and the shadow detail to your liking (within the camera's ability of course). Post processing in PS would be needed I'm sure, but the RAW settup will get you into the general area where you want to go and PS can be used to work the vast subtleties of such a shot.
The color pallette the old still life paintings used (and also the patina they have taken on over the years) is a very key aspect of this style. That's why temperature control in your shooting is so very key.
Ina, you obviously have the eye to achieve this sort of work in a way we'd all love to see! I hope you stay at it, each shot gets better! And congrats on this one!
Best regards,
Mark
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stingRay pt.4 .
{K:250401} 2/27/2006
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Hi Ina......what a wonderful idea! Your first still life in this series looks great. I love the variety of objects, fruit and veg that you have employed. Colours and details are superb and the layout for the composition is just fine for me. I thought the cropping on the china was intentional, it worked for me. All the best..Ray
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 2/27/2006
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Hi Ina,
I knew for sure that If you had wanted to reproduce the image in an antiqued version, that you certainly had the skills to do it.
I understand what you are saying about those early paintings. And what they must have looked like when they were new. It's funny how our perception is when we imagine the past. A lot of films are made this way too. Because an old painting is loaded with the grime of time and all the cracks and patina that comes with time, film makers insist on shooting a lot of period movies in dark sepia tones. I'm pretty sure they had bright sunshine and blue sky back then sometimes too :)
Andre
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/26/2006
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Hi Karina, of course I was joking, because Rubens painted fat women (by today's standards) - anyway, not skinny models :)
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Karina Brys
{K:16541} 2/26/2006
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Hello Ina. Ooooh no! I didn't mean a self-portrait. Really, I wouldn't do that. It just seems a very interesting idea to make photographic impressions of different styles in painting and Rubens was the first thing that entered my mind (and the most impressive and difficult one).
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/26/2006
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Hi Andre, and thanks very much for your visit and comment :)
I didn't really try to duplicate the old paintings, but create a complex still life photograph in the spirit of the old paintings. You guessed my intention absolutely right, I could have darkened these in PS, no problem, and even add some cracks and canvas texture. But really, I just wanted to make still lifes. One thing is to be inspired by something, and another is to "reproduce" something as closely as possible. I'm somewhere in the experimental stage.
As a matter of fact, all these old paintings are dark because they've been exposed to light, smoke, grime, etc. over the years. People used to burn wood and oil, and candles and the paintings were gradually affected. Two classic examples are Rembrandt's "Night Watch" - a dark painting believed to be that of a night guard - it turned out when they examined it, that it was a day scene. The same when they cleaned the Sistine Chapel, they discovered bright colors underneath that patina.
So originally, the old paintings were brightly colored, but the components either faded with time, suffered chemical reactions, or simply were polluted by the environment.
I'm not sure yet where I want to go with these, first I want to better control the light, add a second light source to eliminate the harsh shadows. Secondly, the ageing may or may not happen. I'll post some B & W versions in the next few days, just for comparison.
It's a time consuming exercise, but I like it. AS you know, the weather hasn't been too bad forshooting out in the balcony, but the wind is pretty strong, and the whole contraption is probably safer indoors :)
Sorry for the long-winded answer, I guess I'm rationalizing it .
Best regards, and thanks, Andre!
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/26/2006
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Thank you very much Paul for your visit & comment :) Best regards, Ina
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Paul's Photos
{K:35235} 2/26/2006
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excellent still life... great work
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Andre Denis
{K:66407} 2/26/2006
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Hi Ina,
First of all I have to tell you that I have no art training whatsoever unless you count my photo arts classes. So, I don't feel qualified to critique these two images for artistic value.
Let me just tell you what I see. The quality of the images is excellent! The colours are beautiful, warm and rich.
Now, here is where there may or may not be a problem. If your intent was to try and duplicate those 16th century Dutch paintings, you could have made yours much darker and more antiqued. Maybe this wasn't your intention?
I think your images are in effect, too good to duplicate the style... I hope this makes sense to you and doesn't sound negative.
As far as composition goes, I'll leave that up to someone who knows what they are talking about. :)
Andre
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/25/2006
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Thanks very much Nigel for your visit & comment :) Best regards, Ina
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Nigel Watts.
{K:5171} 2/25/2006
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Well balanced composition
Great photograph
Nigel
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/25/2006
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Thanks very much dear Robert for your visit & comment! I'm sorry I'm running a bit late with my comments, but I'm catching up! Hugs, and have a great weekend, Ina
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/25/2006
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Thanks very much Elisa for your visit & comment, the original shots include the tops, I just cropped it for UF, to fit in the panorama and show detail. Based on feedback, I'll try to crop less and show more, even though the detail will be smaller at 850 pixels.
I noticed that orange peel as well, I'll have to bring the still life to the front, and have it hanging, it's quite beautiful! Plus a couple of flowers would be good. I don't think I'll go with the crab, or any dead meat for now - LOL :) Hugs, Ina
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Robert Kocs
{K:89085} 2/25/2006
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A very nice, well composed ancient still life with
many nice beauty subject. Well photographed theme,
really it reminds me a classical dutch still lifes.
Well captured and seen! Very creative idea, well presented
work with fine deatils! Great one dear friend! HUgs!
Have a nice day dear Ina!
Robert
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/25/2006
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Ha-ha Karina, a Rubens? You mean a self-portrait? That's too funny!
I've never been to Belgium, it would be great to visit one day :) Thanks very much for the visit & comment, Best regards, Ina
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/25/2006
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Thank you very much Jeanette for your visit & great advice, I really appreciate the input you gave me :)
I'll try to use a second light source. I'm shooting out on the balcony, the sunlight was strong that day, and a second light source would definitely soften the shadows. Also I may start doing it inside with artificial lighting, because it gives more control - I'm definitely interested in this subject! Great suggestions!
Best regards, Ina
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/25/2006
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Thank you Paolo for your visit & comment :) Best regards, Ina
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Paolo Corradini
{K:59552} 2/25/2006
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I prefer this image, really bautiful composition and details..a creative study from you :)
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Jeanette Hägglund
{K:59855} 2/25/2006
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I also think it´s beautiful, the shell add a lot for me with the colours and shape. My suggestion is to use a white reflector (could be anything semi-or hard)to soften the shadows, they are too black now. Also a squared format would be better for the cropped objects! But taste differs.... To get a golden light you can use a reflector with a golden side, you can also buy a think fabric to filter the light from the window...
Have a nice weekend!
Jeanette
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Karina Brys
{K:16541} 2/25/2006
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Hey Nina. Your really should visit us and our museums. Would be a great inspiration :-) I must say you approach the original paintings very well! When are you going to do a 'Rubens'?
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NN
{K:26787} 2/25/2006
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Hi Ina! The example you´ve posted is quite fascinating; just look at the shapes and how the orange is peeled! How about making some stuff hanging down like there? I have to agree with Kathy and Dave about the crop at the top, especially as you have so much stuff included in the picture. Great light and details, and I do hope you continue on this path! *hugs*
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/25/2006
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Thanks Dave for your visit & comment. It's hard to show detail at 850 pixels, and I'm very much after detail. Pano is the only option to go bigger, but I'm forced to either use low height objects, or crop. Maybe I'll include next time a 6:4 frame to show the entire objects.
The 2:1 ratio is a bit of a stretch!
Best regards, Ina
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/25/2006
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Thank you very much Gabriela for your visit & comment. I have a long way to go, I'm just in the process of trying, and I might end up doing these indoors. I depend too much on uncontrollable lighting (natural sunlight), and I have about 3 hours of sun on the balcony, plus the wind is blowing all the time and the objects aren't very stable.
I have just downloaded a bunch of these, I'm still looking at them, these are the ones that seemed better fitted to crop in panoramic after a first quick look. But I have a couple of hundreds to go through :)
Best regards, Ina
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Dave Stacey
{K:150877} 2/25/2006
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Great colours and I like the different objects you've put together, Ina! I agree with Kathy about seeing the whole of the subject, but it is a conundrum when the pano mode doesn't fit what you've got! I guess that takes advance planning in selecting your objects.
Dave.
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Gabriela Tanaka
{K:16594} 2/25/2006
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I LOVE these Dutch still lifes and I am exhilareted by the fact that you love them,too!What a variety of things you managed to put together and - in a strange way - they go well together! The image in panoramic IS a painting!!!
The warm colours, the well-chosen lighting, the balance of the whole brings life to a still life!
Wonderful!
Best regards,
Gabriela
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/25/2006
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Hi Kathy, and thanks for your visit & comment!
I have to crop the height because of the pano format. It's a compromise for showing detail, otherwise at 850 pixels everything gets so small!
Well, if Ann & Gayle show up, I'd love to see a group shot under "Pictures of our members" - that would be fun!
Best regards, Ina
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/25/2006
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Hi Ace, not only the sun is moving, but I have about 3 hours of sunlight in my balcony, plus it's winter up here and a strong wind is blowing the whole arrangement! I'll have to wait till summer :)
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Kathy Hillard
{K:25721} 2/25/2006
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Very pretty colors, Ina, and the lighting is very nice! Did you crop out the tops of the decanter and plate to fit the pano format? Personally I think I would like it better with the whole objects showing...but what do I know for nothing??? :)
Thanks for the help, by the way. I don't know if I will do many panos...I don't do many shots of that shape, but I just might have to try it one of these days!
Gayle was telling me (via a comment) that her and Ann might show up at our doorstep one of these days! Wouldn't that be crazy?!!!
Have a great weekend!
Kathy
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Ace Star
{K:21040} 2/25/2006
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i can understand how difficult it is Ina! now i can see the sunlight before i thought its indoor :)
good luck & hope to see more from you in future
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/25/2006
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Thank you very much Ace, it takes me more time to do these than nature shots, and since I use only sunlight, I have to be careful with blown highlights, it's a bit tricky, but I'm persevering :) Best regards, Ina
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Ace Star
{K:21040} 2/25/2006
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very interesting still life photography u r doing hope i can do something like this in future by covering Sub Continent old cultural stuff together for a show hehe :)
keep up the good work Ina
wish you all the best
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/25/2006
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Thank you very much Alicia, I'm building a series of still life excercises, going from simple to more complicated, I'm really happy you like them, Best regards, Ina
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/25/2006
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Thank you very much Gustavo :) I'm sorry I'm running a bit late with my comments, Best regards, Ina
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Alicia Popp
{K:87532} 2/25/2006
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Extraordinario, tienes muy buen gusto Ina, si me dieran a elegir me quedaría con todos!!!. Felicitaciones!
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Gustavo Scheverin
{K:164501} 2/25/2006
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WOW!, que excelente "bodegón"!, una maestra!
Felicitaciones!
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 2/25/2006
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Example of Dutch still life from Rijksmuseum:
Abraham van Beyeren - c. 1665
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Still Life c. 1665 |
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