#lightbox photography

[radioradio]

Black (light) box

As noted previously, Swapping out the light colored backgrounds for the black yielded some weird results. With the camera in aperture priority and Auto ISO set to full auto, the ISO skyrocketed with just that change.

Later I realized I was still operating with matrix metering, where the camera takes in the light from the entire frame. That's fine for most instances, but I'm doing this...

The camera wants to account for everything outside of the box as well as Akane here.

So now I've switched to spot metering, where the camera will meter from just a selected spot in the middle of the frame. I've dropped to a strict 100 ISO. D600, 50mm f/1.8D lens at f/8.

Uh huh. The camera wanted to do 1/5 sec. I'm on a tripod, but not on a timer. Thus the shake.

Let's see what happens when I use the shutter speeds *I* want to use. 1/60...

1/100

1/125

1/150

1/200

And finally 1/250

The box is plenty bright with a light colored background, but it's obvious a little help is needed.

I KNOW!

An LED bulb from the studio kit, dangled from the arm of a desk lamp and pointing through the top flap of the box. That gives plenty of light and then some.

Same f/8 and ISO 100, but with the big bulb only, the camera now asks for 1/30 sec.

And for comparison, 1/50

And 1/60.

And now let's turn on the box lights as well. It's powered by a mere 5V via USB, so it's not really a powerhouse. This time the camera recommends 1/40 sec.

And once more at 1/50

And 1/60

I was about ready to give up on the black backdrop, as the results up to now were basically crap. It took some literal outside-the-box thinking to bring it back from the brink.

And boopenings to @sirfrogsworth. I've been busy the last few days, as you can see. The figure family is continuing to grow as I recruit more victims, er, test subjects, I mean models.

[wiley-treehouse-gardens]

Everyone who sees this plant IRL is compelled to touch it.

Tylecodon schaefferianus

[christianstepmoms]

INFEST

[chacerider]

so i finally unboxed some figuarts (part finale)

[manymantids]

I bought a cheap light box and thought I’d test it on my huntsman’s 💚 they’re not the best shots but it was a nice taking out the Old Man and the Sydney Huntsman.

Giant Banded Huntsman 🤎 “Old man” I’ve had him for ages now :)

And my grumpy Sydney grey huntsman 💛

I love my boys, they’re very handsome critters despite their angry dances!

[christineshanshanhou]

Kafka | 05.08.25

[thingstol00kat]

Baltimore Museum of Art, sept 2024

Dana Claxton - spark

sculpture by Miró

[chalk33art]

I've forgotten to post two nights in a row now, so how about some more gunpla? Yeah, that makes sense. Don't worry, I'll probably post another bionicle render tomorrow night.

This was actually my first gunpla kit (second model kit). My good pal @redastrayzero is a fan of (you'll never guess) Astray Red Frame, so when I spotted Astray Red Frame Inversion in the store it was an easy grab.

Also one digibash into an Astray Purple Frame Inversion, just because. I like how it came out so I might do more.

[admiralgiggles]

Elmo Kong

[optikes]

Merylin Fairskye (b 1950) Australia

Focus Infinity III (4.47am, 11 May 2024, Maralinga Village) (2024)

lightbox

exhibited: HOTA, Gold Coast, Queensland

Between 1953-63 the British military conducted nuclear tests on Maralinga Tjarutja lands in South Australia, detonating seven nuclear bombs. From a British soldier’s diary entry: “Up at 4.15 am to Roadside and Iwara at 5.45. Bomb ex. at 10am. Flash and Blast on xxxx (unclear). Up at Awawa pit 35 min after. Sun shining at 6.30 am.” 550 minor trials of nuclear weapons resulted in the burning and explosive dispersal of radioactive materials over a wide area. www.longlifeproject.com

[radioradio]

Turn On Your Love Light (Box)

The DUCLUS light box comes with a set of both plastic and paper backdrops. They are all single color, which, as @sirfrogsworth warned me, tends to make everything turn out a bit samey.

So I decided to use my evening off to make a quick trip to my local Michael's craft shop for some inspiration. With some help from a couple of wonderful sales associates (was one a manager?), I was able to procure some posterboard and a piece of metallic gold foam. All for just a little over ten bucks.

Tonight I pair my D600 with the 50mm f/1.8D lens. Aperture priority at f/8.

First up we have the lovely and talented Ginko Sora.

We're already looking at something odd happening. To get this particular result, I had to crank the exposure slider a fair bit to the right. Because just hitting the Auto button in Lightroom Classic gives me...

And for comparison, just cropping and no editing at all, I get this:

Ok, swapping in another background and our Konosuba BFFs.

The Auto edit button behaved about as expected this time.

Another swap, and Shinjou Akane joins the party.

Last but not least, the Grand Inquisitor herself, Torture Tortura.

Again, I had to bump the exposure slider a bit to the right, and just hitting Auto turned out way too dark.

I hope you've all enjoyed this latest sampling, and I'll see you again soon.

[wiley-treehouse-gardens]

Pinguicula Sethos

[cogumellow]

behind the scenes // toronto, canada // january 2021 // ©

[stileteckel]

Unlock the Legend: Richard Garriott's Silver Serpent Pendant Now on eBay

[caveloot]

Unlock the Legend: Richard Garriott's Silver Serpent Pendant Now on eBay

[bokkescrapbook]

Some lightboxes arrived, amazing how thin and even they have become.