Refer to this post for the pictures being referred on the comments.
* Products should be critically sharp.
* For products, always consider the percentage of the object you want to focus.
Hamburger
* Use eggwhite to stick the "linga" on the bun.
* Meat should look tasty/juicy. Cook it raw and spread cooking oil on the meat.
* Props should be colorful.
* Color contrast is important.
Royal (in can) surrounded with ice
* Use clear ice.
* Use highlights to show contour of the product.
C2 (for clear liquid)
* Use reflector infront to show the label.
* To make it look cold, use a fixative and let it dry. Then spray with glycerine plus water. Vary distance when sparying to make it look natural.
* When about to click the shutter, drop a pure glycerine.
* Put a foil at the back of the bottle to provide a glow on the liquid.
* For Coke (dark liquid), best light source is tungsten.
Beauty Product with metallic lid
* If the product has metallic surface, use the color of the metal as reflector to bring out the color of the metal.
After the Monthly Critic, proceeded to Glorietta to watch Ouija.
It is a drama, horror, thriller movie about half-sisters and cousins who burned accidentally the Ouija board without completing the ritual. From then on, death seems to follow them.
There are some scenes that would surprise you, as I can hear shouts from the left of me, screams from the right of me, gasps to the front of me and sudden movement from the back of me... c",)
Just in time! It arrived along with my 5-in-1 reflector.
I'll be joining a photo contest and I am planning to use this lens. Surely, it would provide a different perspective of Philippine scenes/landmarks.
There are three (3) categories for the photo contest.
1) The Beauty of Philippine Scapes (Scenic shots. If the shots include people in the frame, the ratio to the total composition should be very minimal.) * landscapes * seascapes * cityscapes * nightscapes * underwater shots * historical landmarks * architecture * leisure spots * night-out hotspots
2) The Beauty of the Filipino Spirit (portraits, people, values) * people (the major element in the composition should be a person/people) * remarkable depictions of Filipino values (i.e. industriousness, sincerity, simplicity, earnestness, etc.) * human emotions (i.e. triumph, love, happiness, etc.); Family, Friendship, Childhood, etc.
3) The Beauty of Filipino Culture (fests, events, arts, lifestyle) * festivities * events * traditions * arts * food
The image should be printed using Epson printer, A4 size. Target is August 25, 2007.
It's the second Saturday of the Studio Lighting Fundamentals workshop under Allan Razo being conducted by the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation (FPPF). As expected, learned a lot today.
USEFUL STUDIO ACCESSORIES: * Black foamboard * White foamboard * Spring clamps * Lite-tite adaptor * Blue-tac * Mirrors (round, square) * Scissors, cutter, knife * Apple boxes, utility boxes * Masking tape, Duct tape * Table platform
* Usually, an f/11 aperture is used for product shots.
* In almost any kind of subject, a soft-light always work.
For Reflective Objects
Set-up 1:
Set-up 2:
Set-up 3:
* Use polarizing filter to control reflection.
* To remove reflection, you may reposition the light, use a polarizing filter, or use a dulling spray.
For Black, Reflective, Textured Product
* For example, Kikoman soy sauce. * Use same set-up, adjust the reflector.
For Clear/See-Thru Product
* For example, mineral water.
* Use reflector at the back of the product as it shows the background.
* If you want to show texture of the wood, use hard light.
* For shiny metals, use soft light.
* For bread, you want to show texture, use hard light softened using a big reflector disc.
* For fruits, you may use soft light or same set-up as bread.
* For make-up, use hard light to saturate the color and make it intense.
* For interior, use bounced light. Studio flash is for fill-in of shadow, main light is the existing light of the interior.
* For documents or painting, use two hard light of equal distance and angle. For oil painting, use polarizing filter in both lights and the camera. In the Philipines, MQ Lighting at Jupiter, Makati City is selling the polarizing filter sheet.
*If you don't have a Soft Box, you may bounce the light with Reflector Disc or pass the light through an acrylic plastic (3mm thick). In the Philippines, Manila Acrylic at 623 Condesa Street, Binondo, Manila sells acrylic plastic.
* For a round reflective object, like Christmas balls, put object in a tent surrounded by lights.
A Photo Table:
* The best time to get pictures is before 10AM and after 4PM.
* In the Philippines, the best month to take pictures is January and February.
* Reflector Disc is used for background light and for documents. If lighting directly at the product, use Reflector Disc with Honeycomb Grid.
* Adjust the angle of the Soft Box to feather or to focus the light on the product.
* For lifestyle images, it is interesting to combine hard and soft light.
* The accent light is best placed at the back of the product.
* Arrange first the product before putting in the other details.
Ways To Diffuse The Hard Light: a) Bounce b) Acrylic Plastic
* For skin tone, soft light. You can also use a Big Round Reflector Disc.
MINIMUM SET-UP/START-UP SET-UP: 1) 2 Flash Head -- 300W, 500W or 600W 2) 1 Standard Reflector Disc 3) 1 Set of Honeycomb Grids 4) Largest Soft Box you can afford; or Largest Foamboard; or Acrylic Plastic with clamps 5) Largest Umbrella/Umbrella Reflector 6) Heavy Duty Light Stands 7) Background
This has been a productive day to me, at least. It's because I was able to accomplish all my "to do" list for the day.
Working for two Saturdays plus an overnight without overtime pay, we can offset by not reporting for work on our regular working day. So, today, decided to take one.
My "to do" list... 1) Bring car to Honda service center for servicing (40KM check-up even if the mileage of my car is only 7K+). 2) Bring my old laptop to Acer service center because of faulty power-on switch. (But first, dropped of my nephew at IBM, Libis for his interview/exam.) 3) Watch the movie Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix. 4) Pick-up my car.
I like the movie. Anyway, I liked the Harry Potter series, be it the book or the movie. But, obviously, preferred the book. Also, I feel that the fight scene is too short--the book gave a lot of details on the confrontation scene. Also, the servant of the Black family was not focused on, who somehow caused the fight of the Order of the Phoenix to be up-hill. Anyway, still liked it... c",)
2) Light Modifiers -- refers to all accessories attached to the studio light. a) Reflector Disc (metal) b) Softboxes c) Umbrella d) Honeycomb Grids e) Snoot f) Barndoors
3) Light Stand
* Honeycomb grids narrow the light.
* As the reflector disc gets bigger, the character of the light becomes softer.
* Barndoors further narrows the light.
TWO KINDS OF LIGHT: 1) Hard (with variations) 2) Soft/Diffused (with variations)
* The different sizes provides the variations in the different kinds of light.
* With studio lighting, we light the surface of the subject.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT CHARACTER OF LIGHT: * Light modifiers * Distance of light source/subject * Size/shape of light modifiers * Intensity of light
* The closer the light source to the subject, the better.
* The bigger the light source (size), the better.
* For portrait, wattage of light can be from 150-500. * For group portrait, you may need to get a higher wattage. * It all depends on what is the purpose.
* Manipulate the light to work with your preferred apperture.
FUNDAMENTAL STEPS IN SETTING-UP LIGHT:
1) MAIN LIGHT * Light modifier? * Size/shape? * Distance/angle?
* Always use your largest light modifier for the main light.
* Main light establishes the correct exposure.
* Main light is normally angled at 45 degrees to create volume and texture on the subject.
2) FILL-IN LIGHT * You may use a soft box, a reflector or an umbrella as fill-in.
Soft box as fill-in:
Reflector as fill-in: (safest to use)
Umbrella as fill-in:
3) BACKGROUND LIGHT * You may use reflector disc as it provides a strong light.
4) HAIR LIGHT
5) KICKER/ACCENT LIGHT
6) FOREGROUND LIGHT
* Normally, kicker lights use a small reflector disc with honeycomb grid.
* The best way to use a flash is in manual mode. Establish first the exposure, e.g. f/5.6 at 1/8, 1/15 or 1/30 shutter speed.
While in the office, I catch myself surfing the internet reading about shar pei, searching for those who sell shar pei, looking at their images (of course, the picture of Teewee is on top of them). But even then, I know that another dog wouldn't be able to replace my lovable fur ball.
I remember one time that Teewee was playing with the other puppies--two rottweilers (Tikong and Tikang), two sharlab (Trini and Tolen) and a Boston terrier (Brad Pet). I was just standing there quietly, watching the puppies play. Then Teewee noticed that I was around, he ran as fast as he could--that the flabs on his face stretched that you could already see the structure of his face--just to reach me. He wanted to be the first to greet me--and to think he ran slow compared to the other puppies. He really was happy to see me, and I him.
Since Teewee came, I always wanted to be home early just to play with him. Hayyy....
Some believes that it is lucky--with the likes of former President Marcos and former Mayor Sanchez. But with what's happening today, 7-7-7 (for July 7, 2007), it is very very far from the truth.
First, the implementation. Everything was smooth and quiet, that's why at the back of our minds that something would go wrong--and it did! It took us around 10am to finally solve the problem which is not logical. Hayyy....
Finally was able to go home, asked the status of Teewee, slept a little and went to the mall to look for an acrylic ice cube if I can find one. Of course, watched a movie. While watching the movie, received a call.
Second, Teewee. He succumbed to his sickness--pneumonia. Almo, the dog keeper, went to the vet to pick up Teewee who was confined to the vet's clinic for three days. According to Almo, Teewee was standing up and when he (Teewee) saw him, he flopped down and died. It's as if Teewee was waiting for somebody to pick him up before he finally proceeds to his very long journey. (Sad.... very sad...)
Third, fourth, fifth... several SMS messages received to take action on problems that keep propping up.
The movie I watched today is Tiyanaks, a horror, thriller movie based on the Filipino's superstition or belief of the existence of vile creatures who look like innocent children that turns to little monsters. Tiyanaks were also believed to cause you lose your way, and if this happens, you should wear your clothes inside out.
They're right! Once you've owned one, you want your other (L)ens to be the same... LOL
Because of Canon's anniversary, some of their lens are on sale (20% off) until July 15, 2007. Since I intend to buy one, why not buy it while it's on sale? Read a lot of good reviews about it; thus, bought me a Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM.
In case anyone is interested, these are the lens on sale: a) EF 85mm f/1.8 -- PhP 14,000.00 b) EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM -- PhP 28,500.00 c) EF 70-200mm f/4L USM -- PhP 29,500.00 d) EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM e) EF 50mm f/1.8 -- PhP 3,500.00 f) EF 50mm f/1.4 -- PhP 14,000.00
And one of the first pictures I took of my new "glass"...
(There's a slight camera shake; but considering 1/4 second shutter speed, using f/4 aperture, ISO 1600 and focal length of 200mm [with 1.6 magnification] in a dim light, image is acceptable.)
Sad... When I arrived home, learned that Teewee did not eat today and they have to bring him to the vet. He's got phlegm and it already reached his ears, causing it to be infected. They even have to put dextrose on him. When I visited him in his place, he did not even stand as soon as he saw me... just wagged his tail. I really hope he gets better.
Tokio, our cute mongrel puppy, has succumbed to his sickness. For three days, he has not eaten.
We'll surely miss this small ball of fur, with his sunny disposition and a lot of cute puppy tricks up his sleeves. Even our Boston terrier, Brad Pet, misses him.
