Shell - the daydreamer

[Obliviou$]

You might remember Shell?
When I snapped this picture I couldn't overlook the hopeful smile and the stretched neck.
Therefor thou shall be known as the daydreamer!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v415/AlexChristensen/Shel_has_a_dream.jpg

Here's a macro portrait

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v415/AlexChristensen/Shell_headshot.jpg

[Dracofish]

Great shot! I absolutely love the first!

[hir0]

excellent stuff alex. normally i don't care for all the dead space, but in this situation, it works well for me.

[Obliviou$]

Thanks guys :)

[CatBrat]

Wow, great photo's! I love the first one!
How do you get the full white background like that? Do you use a box, or sit it on papper then use photoshop to do the rest or something else?

Cheers, CatBrat.

[Obliviou$]

A totally white background. I used some closet shelves.
And I point my flash right at it, overexpose a little on my camera and do some blowing in photoshop :)

[alanhill]

I like the first - it would be hard to improve on it.
The second is very nice too - but I think the close-up idea has even more potential. Diffusing the flash might spread out some of the highlights on the nose, without losing the modelling that these highlights provide (which I really like). Did you do any work on the catchlight in the eye?

Alan

[Obliviou$]

Alan: No I did not.
Those highlights are pretty easy to fix in Photoshop :) But your right, any bouncing/diffuse setups you recommend? It's pretty important too keep the background pretty white.

[alanhill]

Bouncing might be the way to go. 2 guns would probably be better than 1, but it might not be too difficult to bounce the light around in your white set up. It's surprising how much easier macro work is when you haven't glass and water between you and the subject!

Alan

[Obliviou$]

I'm seriously hoping for a second flash for my christmas/birthday gift.
One pro for having birthday and christmas so close to each other.