Experiment with Flash Exposure Compensation

[aakash_vakil]

Hello -

The goal in this picture was to highlight the texture & network of this musk mellon. Clicked at night so had to use flash, but tried experimenting with Flash Exp Compensation setting.

I have a overhead CFL ~20Watts and on board flash fired with -1.5EV

1/160s | f/8 | ISO 100 | 50mm 1.8.

The result was this. What do you guys feel?

Regards,
Aakash

[Sandie]

I like the texture. This may sound strange but the edges of the photo are more interesting that the dead center. The center is flat and that is probably because of the flash. I wish I knew how to 'fix' it. But this shot could come in real handy for textures and layering projects.

[wulf]

You've done really well at capturing the texture. Having played around with shooting details of fruit myself, I appreciate what a difficult job that can be. Also, as Sandie noted, a very good shot to have as a resource for working on other images.

Wulf

[peeperita]

i feel you cccomplished what you set out to do....you should feel good about your results....i agree it is a bit flat in the center and the only thing i can think of to do in a possible reshoot is to keep your same settings but step back a foot or three....

great shot...

peeper

[Taallyn]

You can diffuse the flash by putting a piece of tissue or other white, translucent material in front of the flash. It might help to lower the flash hotspot more.

[Tiberius]

Try bounce flash or off camera flash. That should highlight the texture a little more.

[FocalFrenzy]

Sidelight instead of frontlight will bring out the texture by allowing the shadows in the nooks and crannies to appear. Frontlight fills the crevises and causes them to appear flattened out. You might even try lighting it from left and right sides to balance out the shot and fill the entire frame with equal texture. I hope this helps.

[aakash_vakil]

Thanks folks. As for the side light and off camera flash, I do not have external flash so cannot try that directly. Maybe if I lilluminate the object with 40W light bulb from left and no onboard flash would do the trick.

Regards,
Aakash

[jiminyClickit]

aakash_vakil,

Think "moon." A straight-on shot of a full moon is less dramatic, interesting, contrasted than a 3/4, 1/2, or 1/4. Ooooo, "moon melons;" do a series!

The flashed rind looks like gold filigree, very nice.