Ideas for Inventive Table Top Photography

[bend the light]

Originally Posted by petrochemist

Sorry to hear of your back, Craig.
Playing around with macro should be another possibility. I've seen some impressive shots of salt crystals (especially on CDs), and even just coins can keep you amused.
I've also used some small ornaments with a magazine for a backdrop.
Trying out techniques such as shaped Bokeh should also be possible...

Yes, I've had a play with macro in the past...the odd spider, the odd coin. It is something I will be having another go at for sure.

Now, shaped bokeh - I looked at that a while back, but never really got it to work. That's definitely towards the top of my (ever-expanding) list!

So, my immediate plans are:

Water drops/crowns
Smoke (when I can get some incense sticks that I can stand the smell of!)
stress patterns in plastic (using 2 polarising filters)...

plus a few more suggestions I have just been given here.

Looks like I'm set for a few days.

Will post some results...

[bend the light]

Well, last night was water droplets. Was quite successful for a firast attempt...I put the images in the gallery, in abstract. Have a look and let me know what you think.

Out for the first of 3 Christmas Days, now. But tonight, who knows what photos I will take!

[bend the light]

I just found a dead wasp (it IS the middle of winter!) and so I set up to do a bit of low-tech macro, on the dining room table. As it was, the pictures were mediocre at best...a bit TOO low tech, maybe.

But, I decided to play with the images anyway...here's what I got...

1. A Wasp Wing

2. I then played with this for a while and then made this...

3. I then took a picture of the wasps rear end!


These are not perfect macro, by any stretch, but I put the focus on inventive

[bend the light]

Haven't had much chance to get anything done over the Christmas holiday. Resorted to getting the kids' toys out for photos.
Want to get these out again and have another go, with diffused lights...

[wwwphil]

Hi. I've done some table top photography using a laser pointer and a glass. Put the glass on the table, set up your camera on a long exposure 15/30 seconds, turn the light off, open the shutter and shine the laser through the glass. Needs some trial and error but can turn out some interesting effects. Phil.

[bend the light]

Originally Posted by wwwphil

Hi. I've done some table top photography using a laser pointer and a glass. Put the glass on the table, set up your camera on a long exposure 15/30 seconds, turn the light off, open the shutter and shine the laser through the glass. Needs some trial and error but can turn out some interesting effects. Phil.

Hmmm, might have a laser pointer somewhere...

Would you move it around, or just point it, and do the long exposure?
I assume that a laser pointer is not strong enough to do damage to the sensor on the camera? I read of someone having issues at a disco when a laser wrecked the sensor...

I always wanted to try light painting, too...

Tonight, however, I am stealing my daughter's plasma ball! That should be interesting!

[wwwphil]

Originally Posted by bend the light

Hmmm, might have a laser pointer somewhere...

Would you move it around, or just point it, and do the long exposure?
I assume that a laser pointer is not strong enough to do damage to the sensor on the camera? I read of someone having issues at a disco when a laser wrecked the sensor...

I always wanted to try light painting, too...

Tonight, however, I am stealing my daughter's plasma ball! That should be interesting!

Yes move the laser around on the glass. Light painting is also great fun. Phil.

[bend the light]

Originally Posted by wwwphil

Yes move the laser around on the glass. Light painting is also great fun. Phil.

Thanks. Will have a go...

[Tugboat]

I've ordered my laser pointer,can't wait for it to arrive, sounds like fun

[wwwphil]

One of my laser pen images here. http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...53&ppuser=3808