A Love for Music

[Bowlch]

I posted this in the how i took it forum, but was looking to get some feedback about how i could improve the image.

For those that have seen this type of shot before, I apologise. I saw one similar a few months back using a wedding ring in a gallery and attempted to do my own version.

Firstly I placed a UV filter on top of the music book with the camera on a tripod. I half pressed the shutter to set the focus before switching to manual focus mode.

I then turned out all the lights and set the exposure for 1 second. I then used a small LED keyring and held it at the correct angle to shine the light so the shadow wall fall correctly to make the heart shape. The first few shots were flared due to the light being so close, I then added a lens hood.

Settings were:

Camera: Canon EOS 400D Digital
Exposure: 1
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 38 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

I then imported the RAW image into Photoshop, sorted out levels and temperature before adding the colour by duplicating the layer, selecting the "to be coloured" areas and then altering the hue as necessary.

Any opinions or criticism will be appreciated

High res shots and more on my Flickr

[lputman]

I like your take on this! Very well executed!

[mitchgreene]

What kind of feedback are you looking for, specifically? From an artistic perspecitve, I find it cliche. Technically, it is very well done. If you'll let us know in what areas you'd like feedback we can make it more useful when we offer it.

[Bowlch]

More technically... any ideas for alternate versions.

I agree its a cliché, but I had to try it at least once :-P

[mitchgreene]

Absoutely try it! I can't count the number of cliches in my files! I think maybe a lighter vignette would be nice, but again, that's aesthetic. From a techincal perspective I don't think there's much you could do to improve this shot.

Alternate versions...how 'bout run with the cliche? You've got a Valentine's day (with a notable twist); could you creatively place other filters and create a shamrock? Would take some doing I imagine. Put that on something very much not Irish...how about other holidays whose symbols could be created with shadow and light in a simlar manner juxtaposed with something that is not generally associated with that symbol. Then the cliche is no longer a cliche, but a direct challenge--when viewed as a collection.