Spooning

[CindyH]

OK, today was bing cherries day...I have two potentials that I like but that are REALLY different for me. Several times I have run across people saying that still life is like set design...Arlene says that about backgrounds. So it was almost like a mini theater setup..move lights, fix the curtains, set up the props. If nothing comes of these at least I had fun.

Do either one of these spark any interest? In addition to all the other composition stuff, I was trying to think of repetition of shape...ie the straight lines of the strings, spoons, stripes...the curved/circular shape of the cherries and spoons. And I was trying for something unexpected...the suspended spoon.

Comments and feedback welcome.... :)

[quickcat327]

I prefer the first set up it keeps my eye wandering around through the picture while the second set up seems to lead my eye down and out the right side of the picture frame. hope to see this when it is rendered and you have decided which set up to paint...Kevin

[Brenda]

I like the second pic best. I love that spoon and the reflections in it. My eye goes right there immediately. I look at the rest but come right back to that spoon, the cherries and the reflections.

[CherylsArtBox]

I agree with Kevin...the first one. Better lighting in the first one casts some spectacular reflections and shadows. Lighting also gives less yellowing, making your colors in the first photo more true. Love the way the table cloth reflects off the bottom curve of the spoon, directing the eye right back upward. And of course the illusion of the floating cherry...works for me! :clap: Good Luck!
Cheryl

[Arlene]

the first one without the table and only the three objects tied up. why add all that extra stuff? the bottom really adds nothing and actually detracts being it's the only thing with the checkerboard and the whites.

how about more dramatic lighting?

[CindyH]

Thank you Kevin, Brenda and Cheryl for your input...my husband liked the one you picked Brenda...so it's 2 to 2 :)

Yeah Arlene is back! Thanks for taking a look Arlene...I will set it up again tomorrow and try your suggestions. Lighting is not my forte, nor for that matter is photography...but I'm learning :)

[CindyH]

Here are 4 photos I took after making changes based on Arlene's suggestion to remove the table top area. There are two different spoons and lighting from different sides. I used a 100watt light in my clamp on lamp.

Comments? Do you like these better than the first two? If you like these better, which lighting direction works best?

I tried this arrangement on a white background but it made the objects too dark.

Thanks!

[Roses]

I like #2 the best. I think the lighting is too harsh in the others.

[Lahree]

Well, I like the very first one you took. I don't find the checkered pattern distracting at all. I like it alot and think it actually adds to the piece. I know that Arlene is an expert on comp, and this is just my personal opinion. I think without it, the pictures look very dull. And I like the very first one better than the second one because I like that the suspended spoon (kick-butt idea BTW) has something suspended in it. Very cool!

If I had to choose from the second set you took, I would choose the first one. The others seem to have too harsh of light on them. The spoon has pretty blues and purples in the first one and the light is dramatic without being overly lit. Do I make any sense?

I am sure that whatever you decide it will be excellent! I LOVE your work and your style!

[Denise]

In the first set of photos, I liked the first one best...I agree w/ Lori and the suspension...the table cloth didn't bother me, but I wasn't necessarily in love w/ it either...I think it's no loss if you decide to lose it, though...

In the second set, I love the dramatic lighting in the 2nd one...the other 3 did nothing for me....

my question is... are you gonna paint your reflection in the spoons....I can seeeee youuuuu ;)

[CherylsArtBox]

Maybe you should crop the tablecloth just a bit, so it doesn't overpower or distract.

[Arlene]

I agree the lighting in the second one is most dramatic but prefer the shadows in the first because they're lending weight to the right side a bit...whereas all the weight in the second one is moving to the left...including the spoon.

how many photos have you taken so far? if it's less then 50 with different angles and lighting then you haven't taken enough. ;)

also you'd be better off getting a halogen spotlight instead of the regular bulb.

[oozoo]

I like the very first one, but I agree about cropping some of the tablecloth (not all) I like the lighting better, and that cherry on the spoon adds so much drama!

[Lahree]

No matter whic pic you choose, man, really, really, really vote for the suspended spoon to have suspended fruit in it. How cool is that? Is is such a neat idea!

[CindyH]

Thank you all for your input...it helps to have people's ideas about what they like and don't like.

I agree the lighting is pretty harsh in the second set of photos, and I also agree I like the lighting coming from the left casting shadows to the right of the objects.

I'm not as "into" the second set of photos as I am with the tabletop stuff, so I think I just need to play with this idea more.

Thanks for the suggestion about the halogen light Arlene...I will try that and see if it helps the harshness of the lighting. I did take over 200 photos yesterday, moving the light all over and moving objects. It was a lot of fun, but I think I reach a point where they all look the same..and I lose my focus. So I will ponder this one and get some focus back.

Hi Denise! I will probably draw my reflections in the spoon....I noticed that and thought it's sort of a self portrait :)
Lahree, I also love the suspended cherry on the suspended spoon. It wasn't the original thought of doing this piece, it just sort of happened about half way through. I promise I will use it as I rethink this piece...and who knows there may be a series here! ;)

[Gemma]

Hi Cindy,

I agree with Lori. While I am no expert at all on composition but I like the very first one you posted with the table cloth the best. I kind of like the table cloth in there with the second spoon reflecting it. Oh well.... I'm sure this will be wonderful when you do decide, can't wait to see the progress.

Gemma

[Lahree]

Oh, I also want to vote for having a stem on the cherry that ends up in the suspended spoon. I think the stem adds something than just a plain cherry.

[CindyH]

Oh, I also want to vote for having a stem on the cherry that ends up in the suspended spoon. I think the stem adds something than just a plain cherry.

I agree with you Lahree....I'm going to play with this some more on Wedneday..have a busy day away from home tomorrow. Thanks!

Hi Gemma! Thanks for your input...I don't think I'm done playing with all these things yet.

[lovingspots]

Which composition did you decide upon after playing?

[bmac]

I know this is VERY late, but I just found this. My vote is for the very first one in the first set. I like the reflection of the tablecloth in the spoon. Just wanted to put my 2 cents in! ;) Cool idea!

Cindy, you are on a roll aren't you? I love all of your cherry and other fruit ideas. :)