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Many, many thanks to Glen for helping me out with a Wolf Eyes Defender 260!! I love this new toy and can't wait til I get the opportunity to use it for it's intended purpose... to help me find my way in the dark. In the mean time it has been pressed into service as a model.

Good looking model

Cameron,

Nicely done.

However, with the black subject against a black background, there is a loss of the separation between these two elements. This might be able to be corrected through the use of lighting (difficult) or by changing the background object.

I think I'd choose the latter, and I would like to see you try this, if at all possible.

Geez Cameron, I thought I was a bit over exuberant about my Wolf Eyes Sniper 260,
but you have a bad case of torch love there my friend. Not that I blame you.

gstark wrote:Cameron,

Nicely done.

However, with the black subject against a black background, there is a loss of the separation between these two elements. This might be able to be corrected through the use of lighting (difficult) or by changing the background object.

I think I'd choose the latter, and I would like to see you try this, if at all possible.

Thanks Gary, I am thinking of copying a few of the other people on the forum and obtaining a black tile. I have tried a white satin sheet with little success, and have noticed that I have a lot of trouble getting the lighting right to get enought seperation between the object and background. Any suggestions as to another useful background object? Do you think a light tent would be a useful addition?? ATM I am using both my SB-800 (with diffuser cap) and SB-600 (on a tripod with white sheet draped over it to diffuse the light) off camera, chimping to correct the output of the lights.

Greg B wrote:Geez Cameron, I thought I was a bit over exuberant about my Wolf Eyes Sniper 260,
but you have a bad case of torch love there my friend. Not that I blame you.

I have a bad habit of forcing all my new toys to model for me!! I do love this one a lot though.

aim54x wrote: have noticed that I have a lot of trouble getting the lighting right to get enought seperation between the object and background. Any suggestions as to another useful background object? Do you think a light tent would be a useful addition??

One could try the torch hanging in mid air type of look with a distant white background which is lighted by your second SB600 gelled to a suitable colour..Blue perhaps.

surenj wrote:

aim54x wrote: have noticed that I have a lot of trouble getting the lighting right to get enought seperation between the object and background. Any suggestions as to another useful background object? Do you think a light tent would be a useful addition??

One could try the torch hanging in mid air type of look with a distant white background which is lighted by your second SB600 gelled to a suitable colour..Blue perhaps.

A light tent would definitely be a good addition to your toolkit, if you don't yet have one.

With the torch body being black, I'm thinking that some gold coloured satin fabric might be suitable, but still allowing you to maintain the fabric sheen that is a part - a good part - of what you have here.

Surenj's suggestion basically comes down to imparting some physical separation between the background and the subject, and I suspect that this is the key to what you're trying to achieve. Suspending the torch with some light gauge fishing line might be sufficient, or perhaps raising the torch using some small, hidden supports underneath it.

It may be possible to conceal those supports below the background fabric, but that would be challenging, but so too is the placement of any form of support underneath the torch simply due to the torch's diminutive size.

If you can impart some separation between the subject and the background, you can throw some rimlighting onto the subject to highlight its shape with lighting, and the background, regardless of its colour, can be rendered as you wish.

What about, for something completely different, cutting open a grapefruit (or some other piece of fruit) and using the flesh of that juicy piece of fruit as a backdrop? Obviously take care to prevent the torch from being affected by the juice of the fruit ...

Cameron, top model!!I am amazed how luxurious you have the torch looking, especially the window busting Defender model. Black on black is a challenge unto itself.

gstark wrote:

surenj wrote:

aim54x wrote: have noticed that I have a lot of trouble getting the lighting right to get enought seperation between the object and background. Any suggestions as to another useful background object? Do you think a light tent would be a useful addition??

One could try the torch hanging in mid air type of look with a distant white background which is lighted by your second SB600 gelled to a suitable colour..Blue perhaps.

What about, for something completely different, cutting open a grapefruit (or some other piece of fruit) and using the flesh of that juicy piece of fruit as a backdrop? Obviously take care to prevent the torch from being affected by the juice of the fruit ...

I will have to see if I can try to suspend my next object. I'll definately try to keep it in mind. It is an interesting idea. Thanks Surenj and Gary!

About using a piece of juicy fruit... The Defender should take that in it's stride (right Glen?).

I am thinking/considering a light tent, maybe trying a DIY one.

Cameron, can I grab a couple of those shots above (as is including frame and logo) to put on my website? We have a little gallery there we have just started with user pics etc http://www.wolfeyes.com.au/gallery

Glen wrote:Cameron, can I grab a couple of those shots above (as is including frame and logo) to put on my website? We have a little gallery there we have just started with user pics etc http://www.wolfeyes.com.au/gallery

With pleasure, i'll PM you the links.