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Mineral PhotographyOvercoming photographic incompetence? (Before and after example)
3rd Oct 2015 19:55 UTCNorman King 🌟 Expert
I hate to use crude language, but these really suck. So, today I attacked the problem again, determined to PROVE to everyone that this really is nice piece. So, I taped black poster board to the bottom of some smoked glass from a coffee table. Then I researched techniques for taking difficult photos with my Canon SX10IS camera, and tried some enhanced spot shooting. Then I moved lights around, while also taking advantage of an open window, and took a few dozen shots of the specimen to see what I could do with improved(?) technique (see below). I think I still have some work to do with lighting (it may be a little harsh but, after all, it IS white on black in bright light). I hope that you can at least believe my assessment of this specimen now, and can see a little character starting to sneak into the photos. This is now real background (hard to see that, but it is; I removed a few random reflections that had little or no context so were little more than “spots”). There was still some processing, mainly lowering brightness (as if black background wasn’t already harsh enough) and turning up contrast to help reveal crystal faces and edges. While the photographic angles are not identical, they are similar. It still seems to be a difficult subject. I’ll keep working on it. Suggestions?
4th Oct 2015 13:53 UTCOwen Melfyn Lewis
Have you tried diffusing your lights? If you have cool lights, you can using some number of layers of white kitchen paper held over the lamps with elastic bands. If you lamps are hot, to diffuse their light output turn them round so that point away from the subject and at some matt-white cards the reflected light off the cards will be diffused and becomes the illumination for your subject - much gentler than direct lighting and many fewer unwanted and harsh reflections off the subject.
Your specimen is particularly challenging because it is a very complex 3-D form that is going to defeat any auto-focusing system. Worse, the interest is a perception of the image as a whole and it has no obvious point for critically sharp focusing. Looks to me like a prime candidate for image stacking, to bring the whole into sharp focus. Why not experiment with one of the try-before-you buy stacking software programs.
If you check with Helicon, for the paid version of their program, they provide a separate program also called Helicon Remote. If it will work with your camera (it will with the Canon EOS range) it takes over the business of how many images you will need to stack and through the camera's autofocus system steps the focusing. It also operates the multiple shutter releases required to builds a stack of images for consolidation into one output 3D-sharp combined image.
Take the free trial offer and see how you get on?
4th Oct 2015 15:09 UTCDavid Von Bargen Manager
4th Oct 2015 16:40 UTCLarry Maltby Expert
What an excellent specimen! When I saw your first post and noticed that the specimen was 20 cm long, I picked up a scale and put my thumb on the 20 cm mark to better appreciate the size. It must look great in a cabinet. I agree with everything that Owen said and I will try to make some additional points.
First of all I know my limitations. I see photos every day on Mindat that far exceed what I can do. We have some really great photographers that post here and they set very high goals for the rest of us. I don’t know what software that you are using but I think that your photography is quite good. You may want to explore techniques in “developing” your photos with software. I use both Canon software and Photoshop Elements. It takes a lot of practice to learn how to use these tools. I show some samples below.
Left, is your original down loaded with no modifications. Right, is your original with some added sharpening and darkening of the photo with an increase in contrast.
I will add some more photos soon.
4th Oct 2015 16:47 UTCLarry Maltby Expert
Top, is your original down loaded with no modifications. Below, is your original with some added sharpening and darkening of the photo with an increase in contrast. This also includes some modification of highlights done in Photo Shop. I think that your application of light on these photos is much improved.
This is my favorite.
When I down loaded, the file sizes turned out to be very small so this was the best that I could do.
4th Oct 2015 16:57 UTCOwen Melfyn Lewis
4th Oct 2015 19:27 UTCRonald J. Pellar Expert
4th Oct 2015 19:47 UTCNorman King 🌟 Expert
I made the daughter photo a triptych, although a 360 rotational presentation would have been better.
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Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2024, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: March 19, 2024 12:23:35
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