Flash of red 8 treasures

Today is the beginning of our annual marmalade making ritual. I've tried to make a still life picture of the oranges and lemons and some of the still warm jars of marmalade. I have no real idea of how to make a still life come alive, so if anyone has any advice they could offer I'll try again tomorrow with a different subject. Because of black and white February I have converted from the colour version

[Pam Knowler]

I like the sound of homemade marmalade! I have found when taking inside shots it helps to have a contrasting background . I have a white/ black box I can use but a light wall is useful or if I want black background I use a black piece of velvet. If you have a flash or light you can shine on the white background it may make more contrast. It’s trial and error for me - lots of dodgy shots when the light is wrong. Keep trying - good luck.

[Judith Greenwood]

We have some of last year’s left so I’m not bothering though now I’m wondering if last year’s just wasn’t very good.... I don’t eat it myself.

[Yolanda]

I really like the still life and how you have organized it, if you put it near a window you can take advantage of the light to generate more nuances

[carol white]

A lovely still life shot.Fav😊

[Judith Johnson]

@yolanda Thank you. I was fairly near the window but the light was fading fast and in the end I ran out of time!

[Pat Knowles]

Well it looks very nice Judith but as a colour person once I had seen that in colour I could never co vert it to black & white so well done for changing it for the February theme.

[Judith Johnson]

@happypat I agree Pat, it looks so much better in colour!

[Yolanda]

@busylady It usually happens, when I finish work and I want to take the photo, I run out of light. I sometimes use a flashlight. By the way, you have to explain how you make the jam, I only know how to make it from peach

[Esther Rosenberg]

O boy, I am not the right person to ask, but in most cases I see some accent light that usually catches my eye.

[bkb in the city]

Very nice shot

[Beryl Lloyd]

A lovely composition but maybe a little dark and flat . Good points made by Pam. @pamknowler Sometimes I post edit adjusting light , contrast etc ( with varied degrees of success !!)

[Molly]

It’s tricky isn’t it and I’m too much of an amateur... I do love colour so much but the theme adds challenge.

[Judith Johnson]

@beryl Thanks Beryl. I took this in RAW, and post processed but I'm still feeling my way with PS elements.

[Judith Johnson]

@pamknowler Thanks Pam, I don't have a box but I do have black fabric. I've been advised to use muted natural light if poss, but I ran out of light and time!

[Pam Knowler]

@busylady I often just use natural light from the window. It can give you lovely soft light.

[Carole Sandford]

A little more light, either natural or otherwise, as the shot is quite dark. Also I think as others have said, it would look better in colour. I think some things suit black & white & others look flat. Perhaps you could use black things on white or vice versa, would stand out well.

[Phil Howcroft]

still life is all about light and composition , try and create some nice light for your Still Life's

[Susan]

Love this

[Diana]

I have yet to see the colour version, but echo the above comments.

[Mave]

Haven't made marmalade for years! Still life is just trial and error for me.

[Fisher Family]

It is a nicely composed shot, but lacks a highlight and is therefore a little flat. I know the theme is b&w, but for me the oranges cry out for colour!

Ian

[Margaret Brown]

I myself would set up to one side of natural light and take advantage of the light and shade. Nice capture

[Judith Johnson]

@fishers I think you're right Ian, the colour version is so much better. It was the wrong choice of subject.

[Judith Johnson]

@craftymeg Thanks Margaret. Today's pic was taken in the conservatory so perhaps too much light but I'll have another go tomorrow with a different subject

[Fisher Family]

@busylady

I don't think it is necessarily the wrong subject. Some nice light to enhance the contrast could work well. Or get closer to the oranges and use light to bring out the textures.

Ian