ignoring the rules

[wulf]

Use a less intense light (or use the same light further away)? Use a secondary light? Or, since this is a shot that would be easy to set up with a tripod, combine two or more exposures to get over the camera's dynamic range limitations.

Wulf

[mfreg]

I was going to try a 320 watt bulb tonight, I'll see how that goes. I tried the secondary light ( using a flash behind the object ) which gave some cool results, just not what I wanted. using multiple exposures is a bit beyond my skill level right now....but I will try it, I'll look around for some tutorials. New techniques in PP always end up with me in front of the computer for MANY hours which can irritate my better half. I should probably find a new one..

regards
mike

[Elvie]

I'm a complete beginner so apologies if this is an absolutely rubbish suggestion but wouldn't it look more abstract and interesting if the camera was angled to put the edge of the paperweight on a diagonal? Would appreciate an experts view

[mfreg]

Something like this ?



this is another photo from the same set up. I didn't post this one because at the time I thought is was O.K...now I'm not so sure. I think I should have shifted the object to the right allowing it to exit the left side a little higher up the frame. I was really looking to discuss the rule of thirds on the original image...Wulfs observation about the symmetry kind of changed the whole thing for me and although I believe the 2nd crop actually did improve the image, getting the stripes symmetrical should have been a priority in the first place. My problem now, is that this is a hand blown item and those stripes are not equally spaced or very straight. I've been trying to find a happy medium in their placement but that is proving difficult.

thank you for the response.
regards
mike

[wulf]

Keep trying. Sometimes your initial idea doesn't work out but something you come up with during shooting either results in a better shot or at least suggests a more fruitful approach to pursue.

Wulf