dolphan99

It's all about that...

NIKON D3100

settings

Aperture 110/10 ISO 100 Shutter 10/20 Focal Length 600/10

upload_date

Oct, 2016

Views

460

Likes

+39

Awards

People's Choice in Lonely Instrument Photo Challenge

Outstanding Creativity

+15

Peer Award

+13

Top Choice

+10

Absolute Masterpiece

Superb Composition

Emotions

Impressed

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 30 rank

Top 20 rank week 2

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

This shot was taken in my makeshift photo studio, otherwise known as the spare bedroom.

Time

This was taken early in the morning, my home faces west so the light through the front window is great for still life photography. I use a white bed sheet to further diffuse any harsh light.

Lighting

I really wanted the outline of light around the edge of the guitar head. I like the way the light defines the edges against the black background. The hardest part was how far to put the black background board from the guitar head to get the right amount of light on the edges. It took a little trial and error but worked out in the end.

Equipment

This was shot with a Nikon D3100 with a 16-85 mm lens at F11

Inspiration

I had always wanted to take a shot down the neck of a guitar but just could not get the shot. As I got frustrated I tried to simplify my shooting by taking photos of the head stock. I took a couple with a white background and decided to try a black background and this photo is result.

Editing

I usually do minimal post processing but this one, for me, took a lot of processing to get the black background just right. My goal was to have the background the same as the foreground and still have the light define the edge of the head stock. A little fine tuning and a small cropping out of light which crept in from the sides and it was complete

In my camera bag

I only have one DSLR, my Nikon D3100 but I am very fortunate my wife has bought me several lenses over the years. I really try and pick one lens based on where and what I will be shooting and stick to that. But in the end my go to configuration is my Nikon 16-85 mm F3.5-5.6 on a Manfrotto Travel Tripod with a remote shutter release.

Feedback

To me, still life offers the greatest challenges and the greatest rewards. Light has to be lined up with your aperture, speed, etc... Because this is mostly in a controlled environment it is really up to the photographer on what works and what doesn't. Also, and this is the best part, you can experiment until the cows come home. If I had to offer one piece of advice I would say try something you have never done the possibilities and options are endless and there are no rules.

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dolphan99

dolphan99

It's all about that...

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow dolphan99

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