-ST-
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Do you have suggestions on how to get some good photos of electric guitars? The bodies of these guitars are sculpted—that is, they are not flat and have what's called a violin carve. I have trouble showing that without hotspots and washed-out areas. And there are lots of shiny metal bits to cause flairs.
Here are a few attempts. I'm using ambient light from skylights above that are about two meters away (sideways) to avoid seeing the outline of the skylights reflected in the guitars.
I'm trying to get the natural colours (hence the skylights).
I don't have studio lights and would prefer not to incur the expense because almost everything else I shoot is wildlife, landscapes, and musicians performing.
Do you have any suggestions?
There's a light spot on the body near the centre of the photo. This was bigger and brighter, and I did a little work with a style brush in Capture One to tone it down. I couldn't eliminate it completely, though, so it looks slightly fogged out. I had the same problem on the neck.
I'm not overly concerned about the headstocks being out of focus due to the shallow depth of field. I take separate shots of the headstocks anyway.
For the most part, I'm shooting at f/1.2 because the skylights aren't very bright (it's been overcast for days).
You can see the sculpted shape of the violin carve in the shot below.
And I like this angle because it's similar to what you'd see when someone is playing it. (I posted this photo a few days ago in a different thread). I'm torn about this one because the glare on the lower part highlights the shape, but at the same time, it feels like the photographer didn't have the talent to avoid the washed-out colour.
What do you think?
Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks
Here are a few attempts. I'm using ambient light from skylights above that are about two meters away (sideways) to avoid seeing the outline of the skylights reflected in the guitars.
I'm trying to get the natural colours (hence the skylights).
I don't have studio lights and would prefer not to incur the expense because almost everything else I shoot is wildlife, landscapes, and musicians performing.
Do you have any suggestions?
There's a light spot on the body near the centre of the photo. This was bigger and brighter, and I did a little work with a style brush in Capture One to tone it down. I couldn't eliminate it completely, though, so it looks slightly fogged out. I had the same problem on the neck.
I'm not overly concerned about the headstocks being out of focus due to the shallow depth of field. I take separate shots of the headstocks anyway.
For the most part, I'm shooting at f/1.2 because the skylights aren't very bright (it's been overcast for days).
- ILCE-1
- Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM (SEL50F12GM)
- 50.0 mm
- ƒ/1.2
- 1/60 sec
- ISO 3200
You can see the sculpted shape of the violin carve in the shot below.
- ILCE-1
- Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM (SEL50F12GM)
- 50.0 mm
- ƒ/3.2
- 1/15 sec
- ISO 800
And I like this angle because it's similar to what you'd see when someone is playing it. (I posted this photo a few days ago in a different thread). I'm torn about this one because the glare on the lower part highlights the shape, but at the same time, it feels like the photographer didn't have the talent to avoid the washed-out colour.
- ILCE-1
- Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM (SEL50F12GM)
- 50.0 mm
- ƒ/1.8
- 1/500 sec
- ISO 12800
What do you think?
Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks
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