Soap Stone Carving

[Don Kondra]

Have you ever had one of those days, sigh?

I think my first mistake was trying to compare the 14-54mm to the 12-60mm with a new lighting set up (28" light tent)....

And thinking I would just do a few quick shots before supper.

Definitely having a senior moment here and can't PP a shot worth a darn :rolleyes:

FYI the carving is 3" high and this is with the 12-60mm.

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Cheers, Don

[bilzmale]

Interesting shot Don. I used to take a session on soap stone carving whenever I went on school camps. It was very popular with students. I call soapstone Talc here in Oz. Is it the same where you live?

[Don Kondra]

Nope, that's a new term for me... usually I hear it referred to by the region it's mined or it's color.

I had a much better day today, went back to just a backdrop and softboxes. Will work out the challenges of the light tent later :D

Most likely it was simply I was too lazy to remove the nylon diffusers on the softboxes (embarrased shrug)...

This is a much better rendition of the color of the object/backdrop.

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Cheers, Don

[Don Kondra]

And from the same session but at f 10 :D

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Cheers, Don

[davidh202]

Don,
I didn't want to say anything last night on the second shot
but the front of the carving was OOF :eek:
This looks much better but I still find it somewhat flat.
I know that the subjects color must be hard to work with but maybe adjusting the light to actually introduce some slight shadow might bring out a little more detail.
David

[Don Kondra]

Hi David,

Please, I welcome constructive feedback, and even not so constructive feedback :D

I should have made it clear the first image is part of a series of shots I've taken to help me work out some lighting, focusing and processing issues I have. And was the first one to be badly shot and processed :o

I hope someone will find this process helpful ?

Your comment about using slight shadows really hit home, I've been working on upgrading my existing lights with larger bulbs and softboxes.

As it is now, my light stands sport the equivalent of 900w each, the diffusers probably rob 25% of that. This is a good thing though :D

I also have the option to switch some bulbs and have a 1200w main and a 600w side light plus the back light.

So Finally the point, I now have "enough" light and I need to be thinking about using it as you suggest...

Cheers, Don