Mont Blanc pen nib

[AlexR!]

Not sure how well this works. Just playing around with extension tubes really, this was using the 31mm. Other exif as per Flickr. Grateful for any thoughts.


Mont Blanc mono by AlexR!, on Flickr

[Tigger]

Re: Mont Blanc pen nib

I really like the composition just not sure the subject as it looks soft. I'm sure this is probably due to the smooth edges and lines on the nib - its like the 75 years, it does your head in if you look at it too much

but nice idea and looks great in B&W

[AlexR!]

Re: Mont Blanc pen nib

I really like the composition just not sure the subject as it looks soft.

Thanks Ian. Yes, two things most bothered me, the softness and the number of spots (I spot-healed away a fair few). I focused as best as I could in Live View 10x magnification, but this was the sharpest out of about 20 taken at a whole range of apertures. I wonder if it was that I was hand holding my LED torch so the shadows would have been moving; I really need some lights on stands. Aha, it's my birthday this month.

[Tigger]

Re: Mont Blanc pen nib

I really need some lights on stands. Aha, it's my birthday this month.

if thats a hint ....I'll stick to wishing you Happy Birthday

[Parsen66]

Re: Mont Blanc pen nib

I really like the composition just not sure the subject as it looks soft. I'm sure this is probably due to the smooth edges and lines on the nib - its like the 75 years, it does your head in if you look at it too much

Yes I'm with Ian on the composition but it does look soft. I wonder also if the ferrule/collar needs cropping away. I cannot decide if it adds or not

[tesarver]

Re: Mont Blanc pen nib

Sorry Alex, but the composition is not working for me. Seem too perpendicular to to the camera for me.

Tom

[AlexR!]

Re: Mont Blanc pen nib

Alan, Tom, thanks for looking and commenting. I think it is back to the drawing board on this one for now. I know there's a good image somewhere but that wasn't it. Just as well there's a wet bank holiday coming up...

[tesarver]

Re: Mont Blanc pen nib

Keep in mind that a Mont Blanc is a well crafted piece of Art work for the hand. So the image needs to show the beauty of that pen.

Tom

[digiman]

Re: Mont Blanc pen nib

I like it, definitely has potential! I look forward to what your wet bank holiday produces

Garry

[Cyberman]

Re: Mont Blanc pen nib

Sorry, I'm with the others. The softness is a little of putting.
Good idea for a subject though.

[the black fox]

Re: Mont Blanc pen nib

one of the things that got me back into photography properly again was developing techniques for close up photos of coins and especially artefacts found with metal detectors ,just sticking a item on a desk etc and taking a photo doesn't give the right effect or light ..
this is one little trick i developed that actually worked well ,you would need a square of felt material in whatever you want your bokah colour to be ,two small blocks of wood 2 inch x 1 inch x 2 inch will do nicely and is readily available or cut to size ,a small length of clean or new plate glass about 10 inches x 3 inches .and a flexible desk lamp preferably with a very bright light in it

place felt on desk top ,place two blocks of wood at the length of the available glass then place glass on top .position item to be photographed on glass and illuminate with light as near as possible ,take some test shots to determine position of item and/or light source ..the idea behind this technique is that your item appears to float in space and if done correctly it entirely eliminates shadows ,the glass need to be spotless as any dust on it will spoil the effect ,a obviously wide aperture works better as well .i used to use ricoh compact cameras with a 1cm close focus for this and achieved super results hand held .
totally magical if your doing jewellery etc

[AlexR!]

Re: Mont Blanc pen nib

Black fox, that's a great suggestion for a set up. Will give it a go, thanks.