Lightsphere Candle

[Manta]

Here's a shot I took tonight with the Lightsphere PJ. I love the soft glow of light this gives across objects. I had tried photographing this candle with normal and bounced flash but never got near the even, softly-spread light the Lightsphere provides. (The candle has never been lit. I added the flame afterwards in photoshop - started with a lens flare and played around with it from there: reshaped it, 'burned' it and the wick a bit then flipped it and adjusted the perspective of the reflection to look a bit more real. Not sure if I succeeded. )

Your comments very welcome.

(Click for larger image)

[sirhc55]

Nice one Simon. I have yet to try my PJ but judging from your pic I will be more than happy.

On a critique note your flame appears to be behind the wick, just needs a touch more of a blend

[big pix]

Nice pix ........ but a bit more side lighting with a reflector on the other side would give it more mood...........

[Manta]

Thanks gentlemen for your comments. All part of my ever-steepening learning curve!

[marcotrov]

Nice even lighting Simon great shot Gives me confidence in the PJ which I also have not tried yet. Will be using it tomorrow or Sat evening in Brisbane for my niece's 21st birthday party. Hope to get some keepers. Looks like we made a good buy with this little baby!
cheers
marco

[Manta]

We certainly did Marco! I've been doing lots of experiments with different settings and I'm really happy with the results. It's a great bit of kit.

Good luck with it at the 21st and have a beer for me!

[marcotrov]

Simon a little advice what the hell did you use to remove that silver warning sticker? I peeled mine off just now getting my gear ready and its left a gummy tacky mess. I used a little soap and water with no luck. I really don't want to risk damaging the plastic.
cheers
marco

[tasadam]

Simon a little advice what the hell did you use to remove that silver warning sticker? I peeled mine off just now getting my gear ready and its left a gummy tacky mess. I used a little soap and water with no luck. I really don't want to risk damaging the plastic.
cheers
marco

Gummy mess from stickers?
Try a bit of Eclipse fluid and a tissue or, better, a soft rag.

An interesting photo.
A lightsphere PJ - you mean, like a Projector? It's new to me and I don't get it.

On closer inspection, I guess a lightsphere is some kind of trick flash or lamp used to illuminate. Off to bed now but will look it up one day. Looks like it can produce some interesting lighting results, in your case anyway.

Would it be possible to light a candle under similar conditions and photoshop the flame in to your print instead of your method? Just an idea. As I am no Photoshop expert, I could be shot down in flames with this idea (pun alert)...

[Jeko70]

Try eucalyptus oil to remove sticky substances such as grease, tar or glue!
To remove sticky substances, for example glue from price stickers on almost any item, rub in with a cloth!
Put a couple of drops on a cloth and remove it!

It works!

Fab

[marcotrov]

Thanks Jeko. That's exactly what I used. Adam I meant lightsphere PJ.
cheers
marco

[Manta]

Marco - my sticker virtually fell off of its own accord and left only the faintest hint of residue so I actually haven't had to use anything on it. Had I needed to, I have some eucalyptus oil anyway.

Tasadam - if you do a search on "Lightsphere" on the forum you'll find plenty of info about it. PJ stands for Photojournalist and is merely the model designator to differentiate this model form its predecessor, the Portraitist. It is basically a diffusion device that is mounted to your flash (SB800 in my case) and spreads the light more evenly and softly. Looks like a plastic beer cup but does a great job. Beautiful lighting for faces.

Lighting another candle and pasting it in to the image? - yeah, but that would have been too easy!

[kinetic]

Hey Manta,
What a cool looking candle! I can't offer much in the way of "technical" advice on your new piece of equipement.

I can't believe that the flame isn't real, you've done a great job with the reflection.

[Manta]

Thanks K. I'll have to snap a few more shots with the lightsphere and show them side-by-side with normal flash for a comparision. The difference is really quite noticeable.

I think you're being very kind regarding my "flame".

[blacknstormy]

Well done Simon - really does illustrate the capacity of the lightsphere... or as I am now going to call it.....'the beer globe'. And thank you very much... you've now talked me into ordering a plastic cup!!!!!

Hope you're giving him commission Birddog

[kinetic]

.

[Manta]

Hehe Thanks Narelle.

[birddog114]

Manta & Blacknstormy -
I bags patent on the "beercup" trade mark.

True!, a plastic beer cup large size can be used same as the LSPJ, cut the bottom of it to the square shape and put onto the top of the SB800.
Try it and you'll see the best result.

[Manta]

Manta & Blacknstormy -
I bags patent on the "beercup" trade mark.

Fair call K. You can probably claim bragging rights for Brissy but I'm pretty sure you've been pipped at the post elsewhere!

[Manta]

Manta & Blacknstormy -
I bags patent on the "beercup" trade mark.

True!, a plastic beer cup large size can be used same as the LSPJ, cut the bottom of it to the square shape and put onto the top of the SB800.
Try it and you'll see the best result.

I tried that Birdy but the beer got too warm after the first few flashes and I didn't like the amber colour cast it was throwing. I'm also trying to save money by using an empty toilet roll on the front of my camera instead of buying the 105mm Micro....

(Perhaps I could also strap one to the flash for wildlife shots - and call it the Better Bummer!!)

[blacknstormy]

Kinetic - (now that I know who you are !! ), do all of the empty beer cups come from you?????????

[kinetic]

hic!
what makes you think that?

[birddog114]

I tried that Birdy but the beer got too warm after the first few flashes and I didn't like the amber colour cast it was throwing. I'm also trying to save money by using an empty toilet roll on the front of my camera instead of buying the 105mm Micro....

(Perhaps I could also strap one to the flash for wildlife shots - and call it the Better Bummer!!)

[blacknstormy]

Manta - did you mean pipped at the post..... or PISSED at the post??????

And Birddog - Manta already does the better bummer........ builders crack extraordinare!!!! (only kidding )

[Manta]

I'm shocked.

[kinetic]

sooooooooo, now I'm imagining something like this.....



(major major apologies to stubbsy for mutilating his picture)

[blacknstormy]

I know - who would have thought that Kinetic drank that much ????? LOL I was only kidding Manta - you have a cute little but

[kinetic]

 LOL I was only kidding Manta - you have a cute little but

I can't beleive you looked!!!!!

[Manta]

[Manta]

sooooooooo, now I'm imagining something like this.....



(major major apologies to stubbsy for mutilating his picture)

Well done Kinetic!! That's exactly the arrangement I was thinking of but you get better depth of field if you take the paper off!

[kinetic]

No paper hey!
I think I'm going to stop hijacking this thread with my poor taste... and..... go and buy some chocolate!

[Alpha_7]

sooooooooo, now I'm imagining something like this.....



(major major apologies to stubbsy for mutilating his picture)

The Greatest!!!