New Flash Test

[Kodiak]

A simple flash test for my son (15). I acquired a new 4 head studio flash
system to take over where my old Speedotron gave up, RIP! This test was
for me to get acquainted with the new stuff (rather sophisticated vs the old
one), and, for Olivier who use to shoot outside a lot, a chance to learn some
light technique on a very heavy rainy day!

C&C welcomed.

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[skilsaw]

Don't tell me. You had a stiff drink in each glass for the first picture, and then emptied all the glasses in a suitable fashion for the second picture. "First picture, second picture": Am I seeing double? Too many photos of empty glasses, I must admit.

[Stagecoach]

Beautiful work Kodiak. Not the sort of subjects I undertake but I can fully appreciate the skill required in getting such a subject and background lit so well, especially with flash.

Being totally nitpicky the only thing that struck me was there appears to be a slight rotation clockwise and 0.1 or 0.2 degrees anticlockwise would solve it. I understand glasses are not perfectly even and level but putting a grid over it this ties up with the transition of the background. A minor observation but it's obvious perfection is what you are looking for.

Grahame

[Manfred M]

Masterfully done. Photographing glass and metal are, in my view, the toughest objects to photograph well.

You have done an exquisite job here with this beautiful collection of glassware.

[Loose Canon]

(A moment of silence for the Speedotrons)

Top drawer Kodiak!

Love the composition with these. So can we assume you are happy with the new system?

And can anyone tell me why I am for some reason seeing a big red lipstick print on the rear right of center snifter?

[Kodiak]

Beautiful work Kodiak. Not the sort of subjects I undertake but I can fully appreciate the skill required in getting such a subject and background lit so well, especially with flash.

Being totally nitpicky the only thing that struck me was there appears to be a slight rotation clockwise and 0.1 or 0.2 degrees anticlockwise would solve it. I understand glasses are not perfectly even and level but putting a grid over it this ties up with the transition of the background. A minor observation but it's obvious perfection is what you are looking for. Grahame

Let's drink to that! Cheers and thanks.

[Kodiak]

Masterfully done. Photographing glass and metal are, in my view, the toughest objects to photograph well. You have done an exquisite job here with this beautiful collection of glassware.

With glass and metal, or any reflective surface for that matter,
specular control is the keyword; that was the lesson for my son
Olivier (15).
Thanks for your comment.

[Kodiak]

(A moment of silence for the Speedotrons)

Top drawer Kodiak!

Love the composition with these. So can we assume you are happy with the new system?

And can anyone tell me why I am for some reason seeing a big red lipstick print on the rear right of center snifter?

Thanks for the well deserved and respectful moment of silence!
I had the black-line gear for over 30 years now… I grew up my
boys with it. All things considered, my sons deserve something
more adequate than these dinosaurs! Mind you, after so many
years, one takes for granted the regularity and the reliability of
these but the new swedish system has the same qualities and far
more new features that are closer and perfectly integrated in
my digital workflow. One of my favourite being the "Air" flash heads
control directly from the keyboard of the MBP.

As for the lipstick smudge… ;-)

[ST1]

Very well captured and controlled image Kodiak 👍
I really like the way the front glasses bend the stems of the rear glass. The stem of the tall wine glass looks like liquid being poured into the glass in front of it.

[Kodiak]

Very well captured and controlled image Kodiak 
I really like the way the front glasses bend the stems of the rear glass. The stem of the tall wine glass looks like liquid being poured into the glass in front of it.

Sorry Peter, I would like very much to include this stem bending effect in some
"artistic intent" but… that would be a lie! In fact, the stem is exactly so and the
proof is you can see the bend stem over the front glass… where is has no chance
to operate any optical effect! I never saw the analogy to the pouring… cooool!

Thanks for your comment!

[Manfred M]

Mind you, after so many
years, one takes for granted the regularity and the reliability of
these but the new swedish system has the same qualities and far
more new features that are closer and perfectly integrated in
my digital workflow.

I assume that means you're shooting Profoto units? Nice; but well outside of my amateur budget range. Your son is being spoilt.


My dream (I'd have to win some large amounts of money in the lottery; but then I would have to buy lottery tickets) was always to have a large studio with a couple of Hasselblads and a Profoto lighting system.

As it is, my basement, my D800 and some Paul C Buff Einstein lights are as good as it gets for me...

[Kodiak]

…Your son is being spoilt.

I don't think so!
As a father, it is my duty and pride to provide my sons with the best chances
for their future. Since both are passionate photographers, I shall retire, in some
year, leaving them with the best of what I have. Would I give them money, they
would not spend it as wisely as I and, at the level of this gear, any mistake is a
very costly mistake.
I do believe that they should start their career with a maximum of knowledge,
some of my experience and tricks, and, most importantly, NO DEPT!
My duty and pride.

BTW, why is it I cannot see my signature anywhere?

[ST1]

The link to the image now returns a file not found error. I was wanting to go back for another look Kodiak.

[Kodiak]

The link to the image now returns a file not found error. I was wanting to go back for another look Kodiak.

…gimme a second… I'll fix that. Sorry.

[Kodiak]

Done… sorry again!

[AB26]

How long have you been doing this?

No comment, I'll just watch and learn.

[Mike Buckley]

Terrific image, Kodiak! You may not be aware that I photograph glass regularly in my makeshift studio (see my signature below), so I really appreciate the quality of your image.

I like the slight texture in your tabletop. What is the material?

BTW, why is it I cannot see my signature anywhere?

Review the General Settings of your profile. In the Thread Display Options section, make sure that display of your signature is enabled.

[Kodiak]

Terrific image, Kodiak! You may not be aware that I photograph glass regularly in my makeshift studio (see my signature below), so I really appreciate the quality of your image. • Thanks •

I like the slight texture in your tabletop. What is the material? • Old scratched shiny black vinyl •

Review the General Settings of your profile. In the Thread Display Options section, make sure that display of your signature is enabled.

Well, it is enabled!?!?!?!?! What else should I do?

I have seen some very cooool stuff in your collection. The only thing you're missing is an 85 PC lens. Congrats!

[Mike Buckley]

Well, it is enabled!?!?!?!?! What else should I do?

Pray and hope for the best. Seriously, start a thread to ask about it. There has gotta be something that you and I are missing.

The only thing you're missing is an 85 PC lens.

I don't think it fits on any of my DX-format cameras. The on-board flash eliminates some of the movement. Am I right that you're using an FX format?