#66 Silver or Gold - first try

Jenn

Thoughts?

#1 Silver Dollar


#2 Silver Dollar

sunflowerstudio

I like the fish itself, but the background feels too evenly lit and cluttered. I think you want the silver fish to pop out of the picture. Bokeh (having the back defocused would help) as might lighting the fish and not the background. I know it's hard to take pictures of fish though, since they refuse to stay still.

Jenn

sunflowerstudio wrote: »

I like the fish itself, but the background feels too evenly lit and cluttered. I think you want the silver fish to pop out of the picture. Bokeh (having the back defocused would help) as might lighting the fish and not the background. I know it's hard to take pictures of fish though, since they refuse to stay still.

Here is the same image with those edits:

#3 Silver Dollar:

rteest42

That looks better! But, is it flash that is lighting him? He seems so bright....gotta be a task, but can you flood light on the tank and not flash?

Jenn

rteest42 wrote: »

That looks better! But, is it flash that is lighting him? He seems so bright....gotta be a task, but can you flood light on the tank and not flash?

They reflect any light like that...

Here's a different photo of the same fish. They light is a little less reflected on the fish:

#4 Silver Dollar

rteest42

This is so much nicer, you can see more detail in the fish, the bit of pink line on his scales: he doesn't look flash blown! Now, maybe some post processing to burn down the foliage a bit more??

Jenn

rteest42 wrote: »

This is so much nicer, you can see more detail in the fish, the bit of pink line on his scales: he doesn't look flash blown! Now, maybe some post processing to burn down the foliage a bit more??

What do you mean by 'burn down the foliage'?

WhatSheSaw

Jenn wrote: »

What do you mean by 'burn down the foliage'?

! I have an image of you trying to ignite it underwater. The attempts could make a hilarious scene in a movie.

I think she means use the burn tool in Photoshop or whatever software you have. Make it darker.

One other thing you could try is to tape a piece of kleenex over the flash. It would make the lighting less harsh.

Jenn

WhatSheSaw wrote: »

! I have an image of you trying to ignite it underwater. The attempts could make a hilarious scene in a movie.

I think she means use the burn tool in Photoshop or whatever software you have. Make it darker.

One other thing you could try is to tape a piece of kleenex over the flash. It would make the lighting less harsh.

Well.. it's been a while since I've use that particular tool.. completely forgot about it.

Is this what you mean:
#5 Silver Dollar

rteest42

WhatSheSaw wrote: »

! I have an image of you trying to ignite it underwater. The attempts could make a hilarious scene in a movie.

I think she means use the burn tool in Photoshop or whatever software you have. Make it darker.

One other thing you could try is to tape a piece of kleenex over the flash. It would make the lighting less harsh.

!!!!
Thanks for answering for me...I've been in sewing mode (Christmas gifts won't wait...)....

Yes, use your dodge tool and darken the foliage, and maybe even a vignette to really make him stand out....

Jenn

rteest42 wrote: »

!!!!
Thanks for answering for me...I've been in sewing mode (Christmas gifts won't wait...)....

Yes, use your dodge tool and darken the foliage, and maybe even a vignette to really make him stand out....

I've heard the word before, but I don't know what it is or how to do it.. what's a vignette and how do you do it?

rteest42

What kind of photo editing software are you using? Basically, a vignette will either lighten or darken the edges of the image...

Jenn

rteest42 wrote: »

What kind of photo editing software are you using? Basically, a vignette will either lighten or darken the edges of the image...

I use photoshop.

sweetharmony

Just wanted to say that I think you're getting very good advice, Jenn! Tricky subject, too....