Create an artistic image with paper
IT’S the first time we’ve seen a double act join us on a Shootout, and JC and Mrs B really have set the benchmark. Having an extra pair of hands available obviously pays dividends when it comes to fine-tuning the position of lights and backdrops, but it also allows for ideas to be bounced around – particularly useful when it comes to assembling a still-life.
The pair started by shooting a backlit brown paper bag before turning their attention to constructing a more architectural arrangement. Black Perspex provided a contrast to the bright colours, although removing dust was a challenge – one that ultimately had to be resolved in Photoshop.
WHILE JC and Mrs B were focusing on still-life constructions, Chris stuck to crumpled pieces of paper.
Initially he tried a combination of red, white and blue, but ending up working with shapes created from a single white sheet.
To add a three-dimensional quality, Chris opted for three-quarter lighting, with an LED panel positioned to the right and just in front of the paper. Raising it slightly ensured that the light penetrated the folds, while a piece of white card positioned on the left reflected just enough light back onto the shaded side of to keep things interesting.
The shape is reminiscent of an iceberg, a visual metaphor Chris exploited by manually dialling in a lower Kelvin value for the white balance. With daylight-balanced lighting, this added an overall cool blue hue. Shooting in raw meant that the white balance could be fine-tuned later when the image was processed, too.
It’s a beautiful image which shows that any subject can make a striking picture!