6th Place Floral Champagne by Angela Johnson by Canon DSLR Challenge


Feb 2, 04	Š2004 Angela Johnson

Used a 500D close up lens on my 50mm.
Lit with natural light from the window.
Only PS work was framing.

Canon EOS D60 ,Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM

other sizes: small medium original auto

Please do not delete, update, or otherwise edit others' entries
* Submitter retains all copyrights *

Teapot		06-Feb-2004 16:34
Angela, there is something about your shots that I just can't put my finger on. They are so creative and so feminine. Even your sig is artistic. This shot is a simple idea but it works brilliantly. Superb.

Guest		05-Feb-2004 14:46
Lovely photo and great lighting!!!!! Love your web site also, you have inspierd me look into some posible infired photog for myself. Thanks Mike

Timothy O'Connor		04-Feb-2004 01:35
The overall look is extremely appealing. I would have to have a nice enlargement of that on my wall :-) btw, I prefer this composition to the other version.

Olaf.dk		03-Feb-2004 20:17
I just realized I am not going to be at work tomorrow, so here's an attempt at reconstructing my original comment: WOW Angela, what a great shot! Funny thing: on my way home from work today (about 4PM GMT), I was thinking to myself: "I wonder what Angela is going to come up with for this challenge?" When I come home, this is what you serve! This one is going to be hard to beat! I think you might be the host of challenge 9 (prepare yourself)! Of the two, I like this one the best - no doubt about it - mostly due to the lower shooting angle, which has the added benefit of emphasizing the champagne more [not in original post: also the closer shooting distance?]. Can you tell us about your lighting in this shot? Window sill, thin white curtain over window? Window facing North? Weather? I am intrigued by your natural-light-only-policy, it serves you so well! Makes me wish I could be as exclusive in my choice of lighting, but it is hard when I burn the few hours of daylight here, while at work. Sorry for asking a potentially personal question, but did you have something to celebrate today? --Olaf

Olaf.dk		03-Feb-2004 19:52
Oops, I messed up, I am so sorry!!! Posted my last comment twice on accident as the cache in my browser fooled me to believe that I hadn't posted my comment the first time. When I tried to delete the second comment, I accidently deleted my original comment - I am so sorry! If I'm lucky, my first comment is still in the cache of my browser at work. If so, I'll repost it later, OK? --Olaf

Olaf.dk		03-Feb-2004 19:38
Angela, no need to blush... I don't know why my thoughts fell on you, besides the fact that you've contributed with some strong images in the past challenges of course, but let's just pretend I was tuned in to the wavelength of your brainwaves at that particular time, OK? - the story is more intriguing that way... Thanks for the info on the lighting. I really think the lighting in this still-life is what makes it so special. A few more questions: was there any sun hitting the window? [You said the window was facing west, but not what time of day it was shot, nor if it was a cloudy day]. IMO, other strengths of this shot is the scaled down color scheme (tones of champagne) and the fine texture of the flower! As for reflectors, I don't see how the lighting in this could be any better!!! In my earlier days of photography, I used available light more exclusively (hated flash, as I associated it with the unflattering look unmodified direct flash) with slow slide-film, manual mode and spot-metering. You make me yearn for doing some more of that again (using CMOS instead of slides). Nothing to celebrate huh, but you did open a bottle of bubbly wine, just for the shooting session? Maybe it's just mineral water or cider? Oh, one thing I would like different in this photograph, just because I like so much: why not make it 800 pixels along the long side? --Olaf

Canon DSLR Challenge		03-Feb-2004 11:31
Angela, this is absolutely gorgeous. It could easily be a romantic greeting card. I love your use of natural light as this is how I like to work too. My most techno piece of lighting equipment is a cheap flashlight. Very well done! Gayle

Vikas		03-Feb-2004 06:57
Angela, that is a beautiful shot, very well taken and very creative, love the soft sensuous colours in this photograph............ Vikas

Guest		02-Feb-2004 20:18
Oops, forgot to add: nope nothing to celebrate. :)

Guest		02-Feb-2004 19:58
Olaf, you made me blush!! What a compliment to me that you were pondering what I was going to enter. Just amazes me. For the lighting on this one, I set it up in front of a window that faces West. The window has mini-blinds on it, which were partially opened. The glass was about 12 inches in front of the window. I kept the DOF shallow so the blinds would be soft in the bokeh. I used partial metering and metered off the midtones in the flower. No reflectors used (although I probably should have). ;) Shot at f5, 1/160, ISO 100. Thanks, again, Olaf!! You made my day! -- angela :)