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Post by tonyw on Mar 4, 2021 0:42:11 GMT
Still life is a classic photographic genre that is well suited to black and white. Basically if it's not a portrait or landscape and the subject doesn't move it can considered to be still life. No need to leave home, you can use natural light, longish exposure with a tripod. The challenge is about picking a subject(s), the arrangement, the composition and visualising what it will look like in black and white. A red rose might not be an ideal subject for B&W but who knows without trying and adjusting the colour balance when converting to black and white can make a big difference. Here's an interesting article with some suggestions 5 Best Techniques for Black and White Still Life Photography If you have useful references or still life photographers that you like, feel free to post. Here are a couple - both taken inside with lighting from a window against a black background.   Looking forward to seeing your still lives in black and white Tony
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Post by hmca on Mar 4, 2021 1:06:27 GMT
Great topic, Tony.....and one that I find particularly difficult. Looking forward to this challenge.
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Post by blackmutt on Mar 4, 2021 3:09:08 GMT
oh, the wheels are turning...
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Post by hmca on Mar 4, 2021 20:24:21 GMT
So after spending a bit of time on trying to create a pleasing arrangement using a variety of objects, I gave up and put everything away. As I was putting the flowers back on the table I took my phone and grabbed this which was better than anything else I had tried with all the stuff that I had carted out. At least something to post! Went for a high key look....  |
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Post by blackmutt on Mar 5, 2021 0:15:39 GMT
That sounds so familiar, Helen. I like your results
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billz
Senior Forum Member
Posts: 828
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Post by billz on Mar 5, 2021 1:02:56 GMT
I thought it'd be fun to bring out things from my trip to Japan, but other than the camera, they're all so flat. On to plan B.  Edits in ACR and Photoshop. |
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pontiac1940
CE Members
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Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by pontiac1940 on Mar 5, 2021 2:37:39 GMT
Namaste frog. Got out to the summer place today. Fabulous day.  |
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pontiac1940
CE Members
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Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by pontiac1940 on Mar 5, 2021 5:49:34 GMT
Gourds  |
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Post by tonyw on Mar 5, 2021 20:48:57 GMT
So after spending a bit of time on trying to create a pleasing arrangement using a variety of objects, I gave up and put everything away. As I was putting the flowers back on the table I took my phone and grabbed this which was better than anything else I had tried with all the stuff that I had carted out. At least something to post! Went for a high key look.... That looks really good - and the high key look works well. My latest phone attempt was a still life of dinner - it looked so good in colour. I converted it to black and white and it just doesn't work despite being a pleasing arrangement on the plate! Tony |
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Post by tonyw on Mar 5, 2021 20:53:16 GMT
I thought it'd be fun to bring out things from my trip to Japan, but other than the camera, they're all so flat. On to plan B. The idea is a good one - a still life that tells a story - and I didn't notice the lack of dimension until you mentioned it! But I do see what you mean. Lots of time to work on Plan B,C,D ... Tony |
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Post by tonyw on Mar 5, 2021 21:00:17 GMT
Namaste frog. Got out to the summer place today. Fabulous day. Hope you're sending that weather this way - would be nice to see more shadows! Very effective background - like the way you have it well out of focus. Tony |
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Post by blackmutt on Mar 6, 2021 0:01:28 GMT
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pontiac1940
CE Members
Posts: 6,363
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Post by pontiac1940 on Mar 6, 2021 0:41:42 GMT
Hope you're sending that weather this way - would be nice to see more shadows! Tony Was 15°C here yesterday and 16°C today. Yesterday was a charm with sunshine and little wind. At the risk of derailing this thread,  this is where we are at: Spring of Deception!   |
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Post by tonyw on Mar 6, 2021 1:12:45 GMT
A fine pair of boots - and the arrangement gives lots of dimension! Tony |
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Post by blackmutt on Mar 6, 2021 1:43:00 GMT
Thank you, Tony.
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this is where we are at: Spring of Deception! 