Apples in the rain

[mjs1973]

This is something I have been playing around with for a week or so now. What are your thoughts on these? It's easy to set this up and redo it so feel free to give you your suggestions. I like the first image better, but it's hard to see the "rain". Is the side lighting in the 2nd image too harsh?

[MB1]

I like the first one better but you are right, I don't see the rain.

I don't care for the streaks in the second.

[mjs1973]

Thanks for your thoughts MB.

[Rocket_Scientist]

I really like that first one--with the soft color of the apples contrasted against the B&W background. Perhaps you could call it "Apples after the rain". I don't find the second one appealing at all.

[mjs1973]

Thanks for the feedback RS.

I did set this up and reshot some pics yesterday, but didn't have time to download them. I used two different sprinklers in the shots above, and different lighting angles. The first shot was lit from the front, the sencond from the side. Side and backlighting seems to make the "rain" show up much better than front light. I like the "rain" the sprinkler I used in the first pick much better than the 2nd but it just isn't that visible with the front lighting.

I'll keep trying until I get the shot I want or until I eat all the apples.

[MarcusK]

Michael, in the first shot maybe you could simply keep the drops on the apples and let go of the "rain" altogether....

As for the second yes i would say the light is a bit harsh, and maybe a faster shutter would be more preferable...

personally though, like everyone else, i prefer the 1st shot...

Looking forward to see the rest of them!

Marc

[mjs1973]

Thanks for taking the time to look and comment Marc.

I went through my latest patch of pics I took the other night, and I'm getting much closer to the look I want. I'm not thrilled with the composition in these shots, but the drops of water are what I'm after. Looks like I will be reshooting these again.

For these photos, I used a different sprinkler than I used for the second pic in the original post, and I also used back lighting instead of side lighting.

[MarcusK]

I like the second sprinkler more...

I think these are good "test" shots... preparing for the final shoot!

Will be looking forward to the final version then!

Marc

[gahspidy]

Mike, I think the apples spilling out of the bucket is the better composition and while the other scene is getting better as you go, it still does not do anything for me.
I think that with the spilling apples shot, you should have it done on a different surface other than the grass, perhaps an old rustic table or even a dirt road. Maybe the grass could work but bringing back some color to it may help. also, there looks to be some white paper? in the grass near the apples.This does not look right. Maybe without that I would like the grass setting more.
Lots of potential with that set up.

[SmartWombat]

I think the white paper is leaves that weren't selective coloured.
The selective colouring could be improved, as parts of the leaves next to the two apples closest to the camera are partially coloured.
I'd suggest removing the leaves from the shot, or leaving selective colour on them too.

The rain effect in the second set is much better, as is the splash from the apple in the centre.

[mjs1973]

Thnaks very much for the feedback and suggestions Gary and Paul.

Gary, I really like your suggestions for a new setting for this shot. As PAul said, the white paper is actually leaves. I added the leaves to give the image a feeling of fall.

PAul, Thanks for your imput. I will play with this some more do a version with the leaves in color and see how that looks. The final version that I printed is a little better as far as the selective color goes. The leaves in the front are not colored at all in that version.

I'll keep playing with this idea. Thanks again for all the suggestions and comments everyone!

[GB1]

Hmm. Overall I think you're on the right track here. I like the idea and the arrangement(s). The lighting is probably a little harsh and the pix somehow look over-processed..........(?) But that could be the frame and drop shadow.

I would suggest trying again in less harsh lighting. Good everything else.

G