Black Foam Core Projects

[Tony Britton]

A nice set there, Tony.
Coincidentally I have been photographing against a gloss black base and black board this weekend (for a local club competition) and it has got the creative thoughts going. It can be very effective as you have shown, especially if you can get the reflection right.

It sounds like you have a solid game plan for your upcoming competition. Best of luck to you! Yes, capturing nice reflections can present a bit of a challenge but it's certainly worth the extra effort. Many of my seashells have interesting textures that provide a wonderful playground for the interplay of light and shadow. I light them from an oblique angle to achieve an effect very much like viewing a first or third quarter moon photograph. The seashells appear to emerge from the blackness of outer space!

I love astronomy. Here's an aquarium photo of a jellyfish that I've titled "Inner Space Meets Outer Space." I think it has a real outer space feel about it! The particles floating within the tank appear very much like "stars." Hand-held, no cropping.

Inner Space Meets Outer Space

 

[bholliman]

Outstanding work Tony, these images are lovely. I'll have to try this sometime.

 

[Mikehit]

This was from my first session - jpeg straight from the camera

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

This was from my first session - jpeg straight from the camera

The fact that the lemon shows no seeds is impressive I like the photo too!!

 

[lion rock]

Most of the shells I have, or seen, are bleached white. You have a wonderful collection, and photos match the shells, too.
-r

 

[rpt]

Lovely shots Tony.

The ones with the reflection - is that glass on top of the foam? Or is it a mirror?

 

[Tony Britton]

Outstanding work Tony, these images are lovely. I'll have to try this sometime.

Yes, it's a wonderful tabletop project. Thanks for looking and commenting.

Tony

 

[Tony Britton]

This was from my first session - jpeg straight from the camera

Congratulations on this excellent result. Artistically and technically superb. Feel free to keep posting to this thread if you'd like so everyone can admire your work.

Tony

 

[Tony Britton]

Lovely shots Tony.

The ones with the reflection - is that glass on top of the foam? Or is it a mirror?

The reflections result from the seashells being placed upon a mirror, then the mirror upon the foam core board. Most of these shells are quite small so a reasonably small mirror is fine. I bought a nice quality oval shaped mirror at a glass shop.

Tony

 

[Tony Britton]

Most of the shells I have, or seen, are bleached white. You have a wonderful collection, and photos match the shells, too.
-r

I have ones as you describe, as well. The really "showy and shiny" ones in the photos here have been polished, though not by me. I purchase these types of shells at a shop on a municipal wharf. They can also be purchased online from a variety of websites.

Tony

 

[Tony Britton]

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[Mikehit]

I like the first one. I wonder if a bit of fill from the left could define the edge a bit more - there is not enough shadow for the 'emerge from the darkness' effect so some rimlight may help (like on the 5th and 6th) .

 

[Tony Britton]

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[Tony Britton]

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[Click]

Beautiful pictures, Tony. Keep posting.