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I need a single image of my work for a catalogue.
These are my shortlist. Any recommendations?
Either best image, or how to improve gladly accepted.

D200
28mm Nikkor e Series lens
2xSB800 through umbrella on either side; 1x SB600 overhead.





TIA

My only comment is to tone down the overhead lighting in #2 to take a bit of the highlight from the seat part of the chair.

They all look fine though.

Thanks for that.

I did try lower settings for the overhead light, but I really like the way the chair sits on its shadow. This gets lost with lower O/P from the SB600.
The requirement by the publisher that the image not be altered means that I am unable to tone down the seat in PP & still keep the shadow.

I'd like to see #3 but from a slightly higher angle, to help display the weaving on the seat.

#1 looks as complex as the chair obviously is , but you've chopped the end of the leg on the lh side.

Nice work, both the photography and the woodwork. Is it greenwood you use to create the masterpieces? I used to dabble a bit in this a few years ago using a homemade pole lathe, shave horse etc.

Geoff

What sort of catalog is it?

I'm with Gary, I think a higher angle would show the weave better, and also get rid of that moire sort of effect.

But they're all pretty kewl.

Mr Darcey
I made a couple of carvers a long time ago and photographed them outdoors with out of focus trees in the background. That looked great! I used a long lens for the pic.

Yes the two chairs are greenwood. The third beastie (#1) is the shave horse I built to work the timber.
The Windsor was done with NO power tools at all. Billets were split with axes and wedges from the log to form the various parts. These were trimmed with a hand saw, then shaped with drawknives and spokeshaves. I used a pole lathe to turn the parts . A brace & bit for drilling holes, and a lot of sweat, some blood and even a few tears went into the making
The other chair, also greenwood, was made using power tools for most operations. Drawknives & spokeshaves were still used for the detail work.

The catalogue is for my graduation exhibit at the ANU school of Art. The exhibit itself opens on 7th December & runs for till the 17th. You are more than welcome to come along if you are in Canberra.

Sadly I am unable to take more photos within my timeframe, as I was able to borrow Photomedia's studio for the shots, mostly for the black backdrop. I have nothing suitable myself. This close to assessments, I have Buckleys of getting in there again.

Here is a photo of the seat taken immediately after the weaving was complete. It is still wet in places, hence the colour shifts.

I will keep your advice in mind though and try for a high angle shot after my own assessment. Thank you all for your ideas.

I have decided to go with the Windsor. I love the drama in the shot. This is missing in the ladder back photo. The shave horse was a near call, but as Gary pointed out, it is missing a foot.

Matt. K wrote:I made a couple of carvers a long time ago and photographed them outdoors with out of focus trees in the background. That looked great! I used a long lens for the pic.

I did think about this option, but it is a fairly common shot for greenwood chairs. It is usually accompanied by a caption along the lines of " I took it home to meet the folks" I wanted to avoid this stereotype. Also since it is an art school catalogue, I wanted an "Arty" photo.

Beautiful work Mr Darcey! I love timber!

Mr Darcy wrote:The catalogue is for my graduation exhibit at the ANU school of Art. The exhibit itself opens on 7th December & runs for till the 17th. You are more than welcome to come along if you are in Canberra.

Perth is a bit far - maybe if I get the job in Melbourne I've applied for But I'd be using pic 2, and do a bit of post on it to make the shadow a little more dramatic - it's a great look.

I had a bit of spare time, so I thought I would have a go at #2 in PP. I am by no means an expert at this, but the result is closer to what my mind's eye said the photo should be.


Basically my steps were: (This is probably child's play for most of you, but it is uncharted territory for me)
1. Select the chair using the Magic Wand
2. Invert the selection
3. Create an adjustment layer using the selection
4. Brighten the background using the levels layer
5. Clone out some of the dirt highlighted in Step 4
5. Save and breathe deeply into the paper bag

Notes to self:
I missed a bit of the chair in the initial selection: double check over the entire image in future
Make sure the background is as clean as possible before taking the photo
Get another Umbrella, or maybe a diffuser so I can soften the third light
Play more with different angles. I suffered from Tripoditis on this shoot
Learn more about PhotoShop.

Your C&C more than welcome. In particular what could I have done better in PP?
EDIT: I also tried to get more detail in the chair itelf, but I just mde it look muddy, so I discarded those changes (Hooray for multilevel Undo!)