Small Statue

[Judi Graff]

I have a small (6"x4") bronze statue that I would like to get some unique/interesting shots of. Would like any tips and/or suggestions.
If it helps: I have a nikonD90 with 35prime, wide angle, 70-300 lenses.
Thanks

[Richard]

35mm sounds like the best option. Experiment with different lighting and backgrounds maybe. Start with a black piece of card with a little side lighting (example http://365project.org/brav/365/2013-01-18). Or white background (example http://365project.org/brav/the-stormtroope/2013-01-18). Maybe put the statue in an interesting environment and bring it to life (example http://365project.org/brav/365/2012-11-30)

[Sean O'Neill]

Or light from behind using an off camera flash. http://365project.org/seanoneill/365/2013-02-03

[Styru]

Can you stick a snapshot up of it - just to help us come up with suggestions?

Be nice to know what it is of, its pose, textures, etc

...............................

>>Feeling Blue - my 365

[Dorrena Ortega]

Well it depends on what you want to do with it. Are you looking to use it as a prop in different locations? A simple shot of just the statue? You haven't mentioned what it looks like. The question is too open ended to give any suggestions. We need more information.

[Dorrena Ortega]

@styru --- would you mind adding the code to the end the bold on your tag. Thanks.

[Judi Graff]

@dmortega @styru @seanoneill @brav

Thank you for all the ideas. The links to your own projects helped a lot. Wasn't planning on doing anything major with the picture. Just bought this statue and thought it would make a good subject to practice shooting on.

Here is my iphone shot of it. One handed. :o) http://365project.org/judigraff/365/2013-02-06

[Sean O'Neill]

@judigraff Now I've seen your statue i would look for a pov where you can shoot at eye level with the bull, and sit it on a white or black cloth that also becomes the background. Then I would play with lighting it from different angles to create shadows on the white background in particular, maybe like these. http://365project.org/seanoneill/365/2012-12-20 http://365project.org/seanoneill/365/2013-01-13

[katy]

How about shooting only parts of it! Like just the boy's hand or the steer's head?

[Sue Wilde]

Try not lighting it at all. The bronze will pick up highlights whatever you do so put it in a place where it gets no reflected light. Get out your tripod and take some shots. You'll be surprised at the difference it makes.

[Taffy]

I was trying something simliar today and found that Richard (@brav) was right on target in his advice to use a solid background. I was trying to keep shadows to a minimum and was trying to use a "prop" to convey the feel of a lake -- the flat rock doesn't quite cut it, but the idea of creating a subtle background was something I'd seen others do effectively. http://365project.org/taffy/365/2013-02-06

[Judi Graff]

@grammyn very good idea. I will try that.

@swilde The bronze does seem to give blown out areas easily

@taffy Thank you. your shot turned out nicely