Reading Room

[Round Tuit]

I am exploring still life again. If there is still anyone looking at this site, I would love to hear from you.

[Geoff F]

I am still hanging on even with frequently being timed out, but I can't see your image.

[Round Tuit]

There are very few of us left. I have just reposted the image. I don't know why it did no show before. Just another gremlin mucking about with the site!

[Chataignier]

I'm still here despite saying I no longer had the patience required !

Nice image, but I'm afraid there's a but.. the shadows are not right. If the shot were lit by the lamp all the shadows would be like those of the bottle and the book which look right, but some are as if lit from the right.

[LenR]

Hi Andre, still hanging on. I fear our numbers are not what they used to be.
I agree, a nice image but the shadows look a little odd......

[Manfred M]

Nice image Andre - I find that your light overpowers the shot. Turning it back a bit so it does not draw all our attention would be worth considering.

P.S. - I was nice chatting with you again on Tuesday evening.

[Round Tuit]

Thank you David, Len and Manfred,

Judging by your comments, the layout seems acceptable; the lighting is problematic.

Let me explain the lighting setup. The only light source in the room is the candle. There is a bit of light leaking from a doorway at the bottom of a stairway slightly to the right and in front of the table. This light wiped out the shadow of the shot glass from the candlelight and created the shadow going in the wrong direction. I think that the other large shadow to the left of the wine goblet is actually the shadow of a crease in the tablecloth.

I need to find a way to light the back of the bottle, the wine goblet and the shot glass without loosing the shadows created by the candle. I also would like to keep the background as dark as possible. The one solution that comes to mind is to shine a light on the white ceiling to create a diffused light bathing the whole scene. Adjusting the level might prove tricky because of the multiple requirements i.e. keep the shadows from the candle yet light the back of the bottle. I can shoot at night to loose the light from the doorway.

Do you think that it could work and can you suggest a different approach?

P.S. I will also close the lid of the beer stein when I re shoot.

[escape]

Hi Andre. I love the mood and atmosphere. I did an AI critique, and it suggested rearranging the items. I couldn't get it to maintain the lighting, but I like the direction of the arrangement.

[Round Tuit]

Interesting Daniel,

I plan to close the lid of the stein and move it closer to the front of the table as well as make it overlap the left hand book for my re-shoot. I find the AI alignment of the other elements too linear for my liking. I do like the more saturated sepia tone though.

[Manfred M]

I find the original stronger than the AI version. The table cloth is a bit too hot, for my taste in your original. The candle should be a "prop" and not the main light source, as per your original.