I took this picture using a strobe to the back right of the dagger and another strobe to fill in the light on the shadows and to add some highlights on the blade. The background is cheap linoleum tiles from Home Depot. As a result I had to Photoshop out the seams. I also darkened slightly around the edges to emphasize the light on the dagger.
Guest
on November 15, 2007Michael,
Exquisite! Perfect description of the blade with the bright highlight on the top, the darker reflection on the right half which describes the shape, (If the whole blade was white it would look flat), and then the wonderful thin white highlight on the right side of the blade which separates the blade from the background!
Furthermore, the highlights are not all white, but there is a subtle transition of value from pure white to light gray transitioning from the tip of the blade towards the handle. This add another dimension of shape. Superb attention to detail! Excellent portrayal of the texture in the handle, and I love the way the edges of the background are slightly darker than the center which keeps the viewers eyes focused on the subject at hand. Good call, and nice PhotoShop work!
One very nit-picky suggestion. The roundness at the very top of the handle is reflecting all black. A couple of strategically placed white cards would define that roundness a bit more.
I would have had good things to say about your other knife shot, but compare the two and you will see how much more life this shot has because of the brighter highlights and the transition of light within the highlights.
It's all about the attention to detail!!!