Photography Poll...Constructive Cristism Wanted

[WORLD FAMOUS]

Please examine the 3 sets of pictures carefully and make an educated guess to which set you feel probably most accurately represents the real marbles.

Are there any photography issues that stand out like contrast or a bad background? Does it look like a real marble? Do you think it fairly represent the actual piece of glass? Does it look professional? I have my pet peeves about each set, but I am really at a loss on deciding at this point and I need some other input...Artists, collectors, and non-collectors have all responded to the first two sets very differently, and the last set I just did tonight, but I'm not totally convinced yet. My priority is to find the set of pictures that best represents my work to someone who can't physically hold it before purchasing.

Thanks in advance for your comments/critisism/suggestions.

Here is photoset #1
http://www.eyecandyarts.com/Shopping/Flower_08/images/DSCN2942.jpg
http://www.eyecandyarts.com/Shopping/Honeycomb_11/images/DSCN3174.jpg
http://www.eyecandyarts.com/Shopping/DichroGalaxy_16/images/DSCN3165.jpg

Here is photoset #2
http://www.eyecandyarts.com/Shopping/DichroGalaxy_28/images/DSCN4636.jpg
http://www.eyecandyarts.com/Shopping/TwistedWindow_04/images/DSCN4380.jpg
http://www.eyecandyarts.com/Shopping/Vortex_19/images/DSCN4613.jpg

Here is photoset #3
http://www.eyecandyarts.com/gallery/stickstack1.jpg
http://www.eyecandyarts.com/gallery/stickstack2.jpg
http://www.eyecandyarts.com/gallery/WindowSeries15.jpg

[FredLight]

My opinion is that set #3 is the best, with set #1 in a close second.

[somberbear]

i would say number one ... but the reflections of the lights keep drawing my eyes away from the work.

i just bag it a defuser.

number 3 i like due to the amount of work put on them to display them. i like that good job.

peace
rob

[slinger]

set 3 is stronger because we are talking 3d objects here and you cant convey a 3d object to someone thru a photo with just one angle....

set 2 is definitely the worst. the pictures are cropped poorly, even the stands being cut out in the photos makes you wonder "whats missing?" and the grainy grey background does not bring out any contrast well.....

the first set is ok, i dont like the cropping where one stand is cut off, and i dont like how the background in the middle pick is grey while its white in the other pics, if they are a "set" that should be more consistent, the middle honeycomb mib seems less lit or something....

the 3rd set looks great for marketing. the black sets off the colours really well, the 3 angles gives you a sense that each piece is 3d and has mutltiple "sides" and views. i like the lack of marble stands in the pic to be honest, it highlights the round form better. The layout with the text works too, its looks good without being cheesy.

3.

[Pfox_64]

using a flash?

[WORLD FAMOUS]

Thanks. I really appreciate your input. This helps alot.

My only fear is that the third set almost makes some of them look better than real life. Like they are computer graphics or something. I don't want to 'trick' anyone into buying something anymore than I want to display inconsistant and crappy photos of nice work...heh.

As far as the flash, yes and no, only for some of them. I have pages and pages of emails and print outs of photography suggestions, and frankly, it's getting a little overwhelming...lol. It's another artform to learn and master, and marbles are just plain freaking hard to photograph! Hopefully the end (of my frusteration) is nigh.

[Pfox_64]

I like all three sets! no one is really better photography. set three obviosly has the most but not the best. U really should use somthing to difuse light so u dont have the spot on the piece from your light or flash whatever it is. Best thing to do is shut off the flash and get some lights around with something like a bed sheet in front of them to remove the direct lighting. But overall i was impressed with each photo as it loaded. How much u get for one of those? Hint: my birthday was just last sunday could i get a discount on one of your marbles?... lol that would be tight
Have a nice Day!

[Steve Sizelove]

I chose #3. But even though #3 probably best represents the marble, I'm not a fan of edited imageas like that. It makes the marbles seem flat, like circles floating in black. And with the text, it makes the work less classy.

The first photo set might need a little refinement, but the pieces exist in "the real world" and are anchored by a background. I like that direction the best. Maybe talk to a product photographer and get some ideas....

That's my 2 cents. Nice marbles, Nate!!!

[WORLD FAMOUS]

Thanks Steve!

I just edited the third set slightly by adding shadowed edges to each marble giving them a little dimension. Also, I will tone down the text too in the near future. I just threw it on there all quick and carelessly ;o)

Thanks for the suggestions!

(Pfox - I'm sure we can figure something out.)

[Ro's Glass World]

i like set 2 only because having a little lighter backround shows the dimension of the marble that you cant see in 3,

[Dale M.]

I think the pictures of marbles on light backgrounds are best. BLACK is un-natural and very rarely do we view "things" in real life on pure black backgrounds. Also on the black backgrounds the definition of the edge of marble becomes blurred, and the bright blob of color in a black field "hurts" my eyes... Also dark backgrounds make marble look flat (loses 3 dimensional aspect).. The dark backgrounds make marbles look like a flat slump of colored glass.

Dale

[Firekist]

wow... i thought this would be easier than it is.

"which set you feel probably most accurately represents the real marbles." set one and two, roughly equally imo.. meaning the colors and the depth, as well as the true outline seem more visible. (3 always looks classier to me for some reason, though... #3 marbles ARE doctored on the computer.. the others aren't.. correct?)

.. multiple angles is pretty much necessary on most marbles out there though.. which sets 1&2 don't have.. but could.

i actually like the darker background of set 2, i think seeing the shadow helps give depth. different marbles (more clear) probably wouldn't look as good on the darker background.

i'd use set 3 in a portfolio to simply show my work. for selling i'd include a shot from set 1 or 2 as well, but only at the buyer's request.

my .02 z--seth

[JDeMoss]

I like set three the best because you give three angles which is important to really understand what you are buying.

I feel like set two may be the best as far as most accurately representing the real marble. I think they don't look as professional as the other two, but I can more realistically picture what they would be like sitting in front of me. I don't think I would actually use this set in any type of marketing though.

Set one is nice, but I feel like the color may be washed out a little....not sure, but I just get the feeling that they don't look exactly like that in person.

[skip]

Keep in mind what your intentions are for these photos .....

Is it for marketing and sales? Then text is fine IMO. In fact it's as important as the marble itself.

Is it for a portfolio or an artistic representation of your work? If so the text and any logos may not be appropriate.

[gotglass?]

this would be easier if you used the same three marbles with each setup
Each set has its pluses and minuses.......IMO you have to use what is best for the marble in question.

Set #1 White is always nice but lighter colors that have a brighter contrast will wash out

Set #2 when using a median or gray background the optimal is 18% gray..... this setup did wonders for the dichro (more bling.....color spectrum) but could use more lighting to accntuate the curve of the marble and make it stand out from the background.

Set #3 The tri pict thing does rock but you should try it with the appropriate background for the marble concerned

In all these setups a little shadow can go a long way to help give the image some dimension

[kruger]

they all look good, and the 3rd set is put together really nice and really clean, but to people who cant look at it and know its a marble right off the bat might not know its a marlble.

one time at this gallery in texas i saw people looking at a marble on a flyer or picture that was designed the same way, and i overheard them talking; trying to figure out what it was.

-kruger

[Char]

Set #1 colors are washed out.

Set #2 the medium color background really makes colors pop and it's my vote for the general public view, shows the marble best with shadows. But it needs to be cropped better.. This view is what the general public thinks marbles look like.

Set #3 I love the black and the three view shot. This is the perfect way to document your marbles for both yourself and clients who know that they are looking at marbles in a tri-view. For cataloging I'd keep the logos and lettering a bit smaller. I like the color pop.

[Vapor Glass]

i feel the same the 3erd is the coolest. but other pics are also needed.

[Cosmo]

Well, to be honest, it's hard to say without having the marble in front of me. Send me one and I'll tell you for sure!

Seriously, I think the first one is the best, becaue it most closely resembles the setting it will be in when the buyer gets it and puts it on display.

[WORLD FAMOUS]

HAHA! Funny Cosmo...maybe man, maybe.

Thanks for the input everyone. Seriously. You guys made some good points I wouldn't have necessarily thought of on my own, or at least not without overworking my brain until smoke was coming out of my ears - and I was almost there I tell ya. I know what I need to do now.

[Stagger Lee]

I'd say #1 is the best... but only the first and second pix, with the pure white background. but they need more views like the 3rd set has and get rid of the stands too


Nice marbles btw.......

[eternalfrost]

#3 would be good for a header or a logo but isnt so hot to actually display the piece. I get the feeling im looking through a pin hole at just one little spot on a much larger piece, cant really tell its a marble or even round.

dont forget to use a polarizing filter to cut down on the glare too.

multi angle shots are really a must for marbles though. I would never buy one with only one view.

if you are taking the pics on a white or black backdrop, theres a fast and simple way to correct the color balence. open up any decent imageing software like photoshop or whatever you have, there should me a option like 'set black/white points' set the correct pointer to the background and it will set that to true white/black and adjust the other colors acordingly. that would get all the backgroundsof your set#1 loking uniform. you can also do the same thing with grey values if you know the exact color of your background.