Right, so this beginner's photo for today is poor, and he'd would like some advice as to how he could improve it.
Ideally I'd like to know how I could have taken it better in the first place, but I'm happy to know how I might do any post-processing on it to make it better too.
For what it's worth there will be a set on flickr containing the others I took around the same time.
The problem as I see it, is light, or lack thereof. If I give it more light, I lose the reflection(s) of the match flame in the guitar's tuning pegs. Right? I polished up the tuning pegs as much as I could without going overboard, but their surfaces aren't terribly smooth so the reflection isn't ever going to be great.
Anyway, step by step instructions designed for the terminally clueless would be very much appreciated...
I am new to creative photography. I just made my first flame attempt for the mundane paper clip challenge. I shot in continuous mode with a timer so I could lite the match. Each picture was a different stage of the match.
You do need to be careful not to add too much light, or you will spoil the effect of the flame, but a small amount of light will help bring out detail in the background without ruining the effect. For a shot like this, I'd either use a remote flashgun on the lowest power setting (and possibly some cardboard around the bulb to direct the light where I wanted), or just a simple torch, especially one with a low battery. This can add just enough light to bring the detail in the background out.
Alternatively, you can try and recover the missing detail in post-processing. This is easiest if you shoot in RAW, as there's a lot more flexibility, but this is fairly advanced. However, even with a JPEG you can get a lot of detail out of the image -- this was done with simple slider adjustments in Lightroom in about 90 seconds (hope you don't mind):
Of course, this is my vision of how the photo may have been intended to look, and might be nothing like what you actually wanted! You can go considerably further if you want, although the quality suffers, and this seems to work well as a low-key shot -- just maybe not as low-key as the original!
@abirkill that is really good. Pretty close to what I had imagined (I think I didn't want it quite that bright, but it's fine, it's the "how" that matters). @unit8 commented on the photo that he'd done something similar in lightroom. I didn't realise it would be so easy, to be honest.
I'm far more interested in your idea of using a torch or something to add some low light next time I try something like this, mind you. I'd rather get it right in the camera than "fix" it later (just a personal preference). I suppose the answer is just to play around and try things. I did actually go on a hunt for my torch at one point, but it seems to have gone walkabout!
Still, I won't be changing what I've posted. I took what I took, and I've posted what I've posted.
At a push I have used the light from my iphone as an emergency light source. Anything that adds light will do the trick especially if, as Alexis says, you shoot Raw allowing you to adjust the white balance easily to compensate for different temperature light sources. The real fun is in experimenting so good luck and I'll look out for some amaxzing stuff from you.
What ive learn about fire is that higher shutter speed mean beautifuller flame.
What about moving the flamme behind your subject, adjusting your setting for the flamme and then adding off-frame flame that will produce the light and reflections you desire?
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Alternatively, you can try and recover the missing detail in post-processing. This is easiest if you shoot in RAW, as there's a lot more flexibility, but this is fairly advanced. However, even with a JPEG you can get a lot of detail out of the image -- this was done with simple slider adjustments in Lightroom in about 90 seconds (hope you don't mind):
Of course, this is my vision of how the photo may have been intended to look, and might be nothing like what you actually wanted! You can go considerably further if you want, although the quality suffers, and this seems to work well as a low-key shot -- just maybe not as low-key as the original!
I'm far more interested in your idea of using a torch or something to add some low light next time I try something like this, mind you. I'd rather get it right in the camera than "fix" it later (just a personal preference). I suppose the answer is just to play around and try things. I did actually go on a hunt for my torch at one point, but it seems to have gone walkabout!
Still, I won't be changing what I've posted. I took what I took, and I've posted what I've posted.
Thanks very much for your help, everyone!
What about moving the flamme behind your subject, adjusting your setting for the flamme and then adding off-frame flame that will produce the light and reflections you desire?
Thanks for your help, everyone.