What To Do With The Brittle Flowers
So, Having a spare moment at work, I decided to shoot something not related to the auction. though I did use some items up for auction as props.
Case in point.
The flowers are from the open field, next door, the bottle is from the auction. I took these shots with the Zeiss 100mm. I am not sure if I like this setup, the bottle seems a bit to imposing, in relation to the wimpy sprig of flowers poking out of the top.
Not even the B&W can enhance my interest in this shot. It was the first in the series, and I wasn’t really happy with it, even as I was putting it together.
Getting a little better, here. Still, it does not have that Japanese esthetic that I was looking for, where the arrangement looks both precise, and unstudied, at exactly the same time. I guess I’ll have to work on that. Get Zen.
I think that the B&W helps the dried blossoms. The light seems to fall off better in the monochrome, as opposed to the colour version. Also, the blossoms seem to have more detail and character, they almost look like a group of individuals standing at the bus stop.
One last chance.
Ah, the tried-and-true ax head.
I have used this as head as a prop for a coupe of years. It has become a go-to for me. When I edited this photo, I noticed that there is a growing amount of new rust growing, here and there. I think that it adds more character. The colours for the blossoms and the iron seem to be more complimentary, and the broad arms seem to act as a counter-balance for the busy nature of the bouquet of dead blossoms.
I do love the B&W version better, but I think that, given more time, I might have ended up with a modified lighting set-up, here. Not that I don’t/didn’t like it, but in retrospect, the arms of the ax head seem to blend into the backdrop more than I would have liked.
Some detail shots.
think that I boosted the contrast button too much. The face of the rock, and the petals of the blossoms seem a bot too crispy. I did not notice this effect when I was editing, but having just posted this shot, I can see it. More to the point, I cannot unsee it. It’s not the end of the world, I could go back and re-edit this shot… but I won’t.
After looking at all of them and reading your critiques, I think I like the first one best, with the red bottle.
While the bottle does take up way more space and weight than the flowers, they are SO crisp and bright against the background - I think they're holding their own.
.. think you kinda ‘euchred yerself with the Dry Flowers & Vertical Composition .. just for ‘openers.
In ‘Fairness - a horizontal frame may have ‘seemed problematic.. but you show little inclination to ‘explore & utilize background & depth & camera perspective / placement. But your Client has ‘somewhat conservative ‘Standards & easy to follow that ‘pattern or approach.. despite how much you’ve enhanced their Catalogue needs despite the sheer Diversity & Volume !
It defies belief you don’t explore or deploy Projected Image backgrounds or actual Computer Widescreens or Mirrors or Natural ambient light.. among other Tactics. Have you ever or never shot an Object in a Doorway - on the floor ? Or sitting on a glass tabletop or ‘smoked plexi - from directly above ?
Can certainly ‘sympathize - as it’s aggravatin as hell packin it in ! 🦎🏴☠️🧨