Brass Buddha

[cneedha]

I have been shooting a lot of still lifes lately. This one was illuminated from the left with an umbrella and a reflector on the right. Black background. Please provide any comments or criticism you see fit. Composition is fair game also!
Chris

[Wirefox]

Chris

Very nice control of the lighting there. I do think the image would have much more impact without coloured paper though. Perhaps with the head in the left third of the frame. Personal thing though and its still a striking image

Steve

[Hans]

I'm no expert, but the composition (just off centre) looks about right to me (personally). I'd like to see it placed in the left third of the frame and turned about 40-45deg toward camera right for another take on it.

The two different coloured lights distract me a little (white on left and gold on right) but I like the gold side better. Overall luminosity seems good though.

[cneedha]

Hans, Steve,
Thanks for the feedback. The lighting thing didn't bother me until later- the reflector has a gold and silver side. Guess which one I used. My model is still waiting patiently for me on the 'set', will try a couple more shots this evening.
Chris

[cneedha]

Like these better. Thanks for the help!

[Hans]

Top one very nice. You know, it does look better without the paper though!
Nice work cneedha.

[Antonio Correia]

Hello Chris !
I like the last one best but the lighting needs improvement, again

I would not be able to do this work but my opinion is that the reflectors/flash is generating too much specular lights and I think it is missing some kind of reflection from behind to make a contour around the statue.

This contour would make the statue to pop out delimitating the shape. I would also look for a more homogenous lighting.

This is merely an opinion, of course as the lighting can be, not even, but on the contrary hard if well positioned.

I like best the treatment you applied to the statue on the 1.st image. I like best the yellowish of the material it is made of.

[Shadowman]

Images such as this could also work if light from below. This would change the position of the shadows and give the face a more mysterious expression.

[cneedha]

OK, think I am done with this poor guy. Thanks for all of the thoughtful input. Trying backlighting was a mess, need to work on that technique.
Chris

[Antonio Correia]

Cool. Good work indeed