Photo set up
- melbrackstone
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Photo set up
I asked Watto to share a wide view of his photo set up because his images are always so broadly and beautifully lit. It's clear that the natural sunlight is best, but we can't put our trees out in the bright sun and expect to get good detail. Diffused light is much better, either through shade cloth or a sheet or similar, or side light without direct sunlight.
This is my set up. A glass table on the deck, tin roof above, bright sun coming from north and south. I use a large piece of styrofoam that's been painted grey on one side, (just cheap blackboard paint with a touch of flat ceiling white.) I prop it up on a couple of chairs beside the table, and use the side light to give me a nice broad light. Using Auto on the camera means I can hand hold it, but if I want a top notch photo with no grain and low ISO I'll set the camera on a tripod and use manual settings. This is the table with styrofoam
This is a kusamono made with blood grass and Dianthus
Honestly, studio lighting to give such good wide light would be way too expensive. Aussie light, even overcast daylight, is cheaper, and more efficient. Just don't try to shoot hand held when it's too dark.
This is my set up. A glass table on the deck, tin roof above, bright sun coming from north and south. I use a large piece of styrofoam that's been painted grey on one side, (just cheap blackboard paint with a touch of flat ceiling white.) I prop it up on a couple of chairs beside the table, and use the side light to give me a nice broad light. Using Auto on the camera means I can hand hold it, but if I want a top notch photo with no grain and low ISO I'll set the camera on a tripod and use manual settings. This is the table with styrofoam
This is a kusamono made with blood grass and Dianthus
Honestly, studio lighting to give such good wide light would be way too expensive. Aussie light, even overcast daylight, is cheaper, and more efficient. Just don't try to shoot hand held when it's too dark.
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- MJL
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Re: Photo set up
Cheers Mel. Excellent explanation of your set up. I have said before that I miss my digital SLR... I have been close many times to buying a new mirrorless with great low light capability, a small zoom and an additional lens macro but alas. my phone makes me lazy!
I agree that in almost every circumstance - natural side light - overcast and/or in the morning or evening is usually the best light for most of my needs - whether that be trees, landscapes or family and friends.
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I agree that in almost every circumstance - natural side light - overcast and/or in the morning or evening is usually the best light for most of my needs - whether that be trees, landscapes or family and friends.
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Tending bonsai teaches me patience.
- melbrackstone
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Re: Photo set up
I haven't used a digital SLR for years, Mark, the mirrorless Sony I have is far superior in every way, and I'd never waste my time going back. In saying that, I use my phone with this set up too, and despite my phone being a dinosaur, it still gets the pic when needed.MJL wrote: ↑October 10th, 2020, 8:15 pm Cheers Mel. Excellent explanation of your set up. I have said before that I miss my digital SLR... I have been close many times to buying a new mirrorless with great low light capability, a small zoom and an additional lens macro but alas. my phone makes me lazy!
I agree that in almost every circumstance - natural side light - overcast and/or in the morning or evening is usually the best light for most of my needs - whether that be trees, landscapes or family and friends.
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The roof over the deck means even middle of the day sunlight can be fine for this set up, but of course as you say, before 9am and after 4pm the summer light is easier to tame.
- kcpoole
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Re: Photo set up
I like the effect of the glass table
Almost looks like a water table or lake
Ken
Almost looks like a water table or lake
Ken
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Re: Photo set up
Thanks for the info Mel. I try to take my photos when it is overcast and I find that gives dispersed light, not too bright. Your set is great by the way.
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Re: Photo set up
The effect the glass table is giving is brilliant. It looks like it’s reflecting on water, that early morning misty look. Great shot Mel. Thats one thats worth framing. Well done.
Cheers
Kirky
Cheers
Kirky
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- melbrackstone
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Re: Photo set up
Thanks Ken, Watto and Kirky. It's been fun working with the reflections. When I have to start working on displays with stands etc the reflection is not going to be important, other than the fact I can put something white under the table and that'll throw some extra light in
- Bougy Fan
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Re: Photo set up
Don't dis the DSLR Mel ! Maybe in years to come when the glass is much cheaper but ATM I am still really happy with my D7200
Regards Tony
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- melbrackstone
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Re: Photo set up
I still occasionally use some of my L glass on the Sony still, Ken. I had to ditch the DSLR because it was all too heavy for my problem shoulders...Now I can fit two camera bodies and three or four lenses in a 7kg carry on....well I did, back when we were able to fly...
- Bougy Fan
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Re: Photo set up
Who is Ken ?
Regards Tony
"The problem with quotes found on the Internet is that it's hard to be sure of their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln
"The problem with quotes found on the Internet is that it's hard to be sure of their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln
- melbrackstone
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Re: Photo set up
Soz Tony, you two with your admin colours confuzzled me.
and I forget what ya look like.....
and I forget what ya look like.....
- Bougy Fan
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Re: Photo set up
Who is this ?
Regards Tony
"The problem with quotes found on the Internet is that it's hard to be sure of their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln
"The problem with quotes found on the Internet is that it's hard to be sure of their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln