New DIY lightbox pics

[alucard666]

Hi All,
My first shot at a light box inspired by pics on this forum.
Experts, please provide feedback on how to improve.
I have done some minor post correction but nothing drastic. I think I need more light to catch more detail. Also what kind of contrast and exposure should I try?
Tried multiple EV for the light I was using and these came out the best.
I tried the 359 as well but till I get the AR redone it was very difficult to get a picture without a reflection.

Mods,
Apologies if this belongs in the photo bug section.

 

[PhotoGuy]

Great photos!! Just one thing, play with your "white balance" settings. There is a red cast to your photos; that tells me you were using incandescent lights. Sure, it can be 'fixed' in post processing. Avoid the AWB (auto white balance) if possible. Your goal should be to make sure the background (in this case) is white.

 

[Spirit]

IMHO.. the red cast brings a nice and cozy "warm" feeling to the pictures, and it´s what I like the most on them (color wise)... These pictures are incredibly detailed and eye-catching..

Congratulations! I loved them! What a beautiful watch you have got there, mate!

Cheers,
Spirit.

 

[alucard666]

Thanks PG and Spirit.
How about this? Too much of a blue cast?

 

[BADWIN BING]

Those are certainly better pics than I will ever produce,

Be proud of yourself.....well done.

 

[PhotoGuy]

I guess I just spend too much time in Photoshop, lol! I have my monitors colors calibrated and I stare at photos too often. I took two of your shots and touched them up with some of my magic Photoshop dust. I love these shots and I could sit and play with them for hours!!

Badwing: Any camera that lets you do just minor settings changes (aperture / shutter speed) can get this quality of shots. Have faith brother!

and so that your two wouldn't be lonely, here is one of my daily beater (111M-Noob)...

... I should really clean it lol

 

[alucard666]

Great stuff PG. I can give you the original resolution images to play with and maybe I get my new desktop wall papers in return :thumbsup:. All these two are missing are company logos photoshopped in

 

[alucard666]

PG, here is my shot at it inspired by your work. I am a photshop newb... actually did this on gimp since i dont actually have photoshop
What do you think? I lost details on the crown logo. too much contrast?

 

[PhotoGuy]

Gimp or Photoshop. It doesn't matter in the grand scheme. Just so you know, that "loss of detail" for the crown is called "blowing out your highlights", in short, you made the whites too white. To me, that's a problem when you lose a major detail such as the crown. The trick is to make masks and layers to selectively improve parts of the image while retaining other parts... and that's where the patience comes into play. You can sit down and work on an image for HOURS touching up bits and pieces. In the end, it's just a matter of: Are you happy with the result?

 

[DeeKa]

Non photoshopped picture.
Just some Lightroom adjustments to the details in highlighted areas, sharpening and contrast.

Dee

 

[alucard666]

Great shot Dee!
PG... thanks for all your help. PM coming your way.

Non photoshopped picture.
Just some Lightroom adjustments to the details in highlighted areas, sharpening and contrast.

Dee