I think I would like this in my gallery, but decided to have feedback here. The gold ring seems to be coming right out at me as if suspended in air. Maybe that would look good having it come out of frame more for this image..Not sure how without losing parts of the detail. Even if not...I would like opinions on lighting and compo.Too centered?? Trying out a new framing method too. Quality and size for forum is down.

no... i don't see it too centered... more symmetrical... works for this image
cool how you have the shadow moving into the framing
& the ring looks perfect to me... subtle without pushing it out further
luv the reflection in the compass & lighting...
i really can't think of anything to improve this image :] of course this is just my humble opinion... i'm sure the higher quality looks even better

Message edited on: 05/22/2005 15:29

Not sure, don't really feel qualified to give you any feedback but here goes. The gold ring? mmmm maybe if it was a bit more in focus, not sure how it would look if coming out from the page until I saw it done. I really like the reflection of the compass on the inside of the casing, it would be great if you could exploit this more.

Maybe it is a bit too dark behind the compass, but maybe not, you don't want it all to be the same either, if you know what I mean. I like the framing :) I haven't given you much to go on really, I'm sure the others will come up with some great ideas.
David

Message edited on: 05/22/2005 15:28

What I don't like is the dark spot in the top left. Maybe see if you can light that part up a bit?

i have my monitor set a bit lighter, so could be a bit muddy over there

I hope you don't mind me trying one slight correction. I selected the image inside the frame(so not to correct the frame LOL) and did a slight histogram adjustment to bring up the lighting a very slight amount. I photograph jewelry all the time for my records, for ads, etc. With gemstones it is difficult to do justice and even the metal cases of the watch and compass make lighting difficult. I think you have done an excellent job with shadow, giving the image a lot of depth. Adding more light to shiny metal often means the highlights blowout. I generally use a diffuser of some sort but that will too often make the metal "dead" as if sprayed with a matte finish. You might make careful selective corrections to experiment. As for the bow(ring) on the compass case, my personal thought is moving it beyond the frame will not work unless the bow is in sharp focus. Otherwise, there is too much messing with the eye. Then again, I like it inside the frame in the first place. Well, there is one thought! Go with it, your direction. Tom

Here goes my wacko opinion... I love the frame and the compo of these pieces and the image. What I would change is the color of the background. I think the gold and silver get washed out by all the yellow/gray/ white hues they are surrounded by. I Only had a few minutes to play around with this and select the pocket watch, so please accept my example only as a suggestion of my thoughts not a finished result. Offered in cooperation jim:}

I actually love ur image the way it is Doug!!! The only thing I would change would be that dark shadow in the top left corner of the frame! Other than that, it looks spot on to me!! Just my 23 pennies! ;)

With each photographer is a personal opinion..if not asked we might simply say, "Wow, that is a great picture." When asked, well, we respond. As I said before, go for it your way.

Ahhh Tom...that did bring it out. That is actually how it came out of cameras and I lower the exposure.I tend to like darker images.Plus with my graphics card on this PC it shows things so close to how I print.On other PC's with lower end or stock Graphic cards my images seem so light and washed out. Just last night at a friends, they have a new Dell with a LCD. Man,,,I would be embarrased to submit pictures as bad as they looked on there. I viewed my gallery over there and yuk. I even played with thier monitor settings. Nada. Those little aquares..in frame are done by Mezzoforce-Ice. Great program for effects. ryno...that is good work for making all blue and not showing remnants of the original. Thanks Pascale....

i love it just the way you have done it classy and elegant and wonderful dont change a thing.. precious!

Although I don't feel qualified to give you advice...here's my opinion: I agree w/everything Davidy said except the shadow in the upper left. I think it may look better if the entire subject was sharp, and it would look cool if you elaborated on the compass reflection. I really like what TomDart did too it. I think it looks way better being a bit brighter. -Jeff :-)

I was concerned that the subtle change I tried might not show on some computer monitors. Here, the graphics card is a very good one and adjusted overall so my prints look very close to what I see...at work, well pc's there don't do that well. Nice frame..looks matted or almost shadowbox.

Dough, ps to previous post from me: Can you provide some info on your lighting setup, exposure, etc.? I might find that helpful in the "little things" I often phorograph. Thanks, have a great day. Tom.

I'm with u on this one Doug! I too prefer darker images! I guess it's, once more, a matter of taste!

I put the items on top of the dryer.It has some nice white reflections and in an area where the window light adds. Then I added a old cardboard photo frame folded at 90 deg. Put the remote flash in a spot to the side reflecting off another white surface.Tried around 10 different locations for the flash. Normally I am at 1/60 F4 This time I was at 1/80 F4.3 Now I made an umbrella that attaches to my second tripod I use for the flash,so will be interesting to see the results.

i like your first image doug. i like it darker. the ring & it's shadow...what bothers me is it's sooooo close to the frame. the dark shadow on the left doesn't bother me. i don't care for the frame. dunno why. well, i think all the lines from the framing and the line inside the image distract me the the nice curves. that's just my silly preferences...

Doug, thanks for the shot info. I just got my flash going in remote/commander mode. Lots of experimenting to do there. Your image does justice to the time spent getting light right. Tom