“Parker” White and Rose Gold watch by Michael Kors

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Copyright © 2014 Deborah M Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

This was bit challenging getting the white of the watch to separate from the background, and I had a hotspot from my Speedlight which I cloned out. I need to learn how to use flags to prevent Hotspots and unwanted reflections. I’ll be experimenting and practicing with flags as soon as I make/acquired some.

Nikon D700| AF 85mm f1.4 @ f4| 1/160sec| ISO 400| Manual Priority| Matrix Met| Hand-held
Strobist, 1 SB910 @ 1/64th pwr camera left close to subject for Key-Rim light, triggered via Commander Mode
1 Eiko 4800K bulb in Shop Clamp light High camera right behind subject for background fill

Add a little Sparkle to your day…

Copyright © 2013 Deborah M. Zajac  All Rights Reserved

I had the whole day free so I played with my continuous lights and SB600 Speedlight. I bought a couple of pieces of jewelry recently  which started  me thinking about Jewelry Photography and lighting.  I am still trying to get more accomplished with external lights and photography and I hope this exercise will help me grow in that area.

After studying lighting techniques, and jewelry styling for a couple of days I got my props together and by  late this morning I was ready to start taking some photos.

Add a little Sparkle to your day

Sapphire and Diamond Pendant

Ear-rings

Rose Gold Ear rings I still don’t have the lights quite right for the sparkle I want.  I’m looking into getting a Dazzle Bulb for the future.  I also need another high wattage bulb. I’d also like to add some plexiglass sheets to my kit as well;  I see a trip to the hardware store in my near future.

This is my tabletop set up. I set up on the kitchen table with a white sheet, white foam core board, and my lights. I had to hunt for something to tie dental floss on to be able to hang the jewelry and this is what I came up with. My daughters old high-school locker shelf. It came in handy after all these years of non-use.
I took the photo of the set up with a Nikon D300s and 24mm f2.8 AF-D and on-camera flash.

Camera and light set up for Jewelry ShootNikon D700| Nikkor 85mm f1.8 AF-D, and Nikkor 28-105mm AF-D| Continuous lights 1 full Daylight camera right, 1 soft light bulb camera left, SB 600 camera front

I did all the photo development/processing in Photoshop CS6.  All my processing starts in Adobe Camera RAW then I moved to Photoshop for levels adjustments, output sharpening, cloning out the thread that held the ear-rings and necklace, cleaning up dust spots, and adding my watermark then resizing for the web.

P.S. Several times today I wished I had a macro lens!

“(i do not know what it is about you that closes and opens; only something in me understands the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)” ~ E.E. Cummings

While I have my stand with umbrella out I thought I’d compose a couple of still life scenes with a Valentine’s theme.

"(i do not know what it is about you that closes and opens; only

I purchased a kit of CTO gels for my Speedlight, and have been playing with those too. I hope to create something good enough to share in the future.

I bought the Rogue Universal Filter Kit.
The gels go on easily, and seem to be of good quality. This is my first gel kit, so we’ll see.
I bought my kit at a  local camera store, but Amazon has it too.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 50mm @ f/8| 1/200s| ISO 160| SB600 @ 1/4 pwr camera left| Hand-held

J.S. Bach

J.S. Bach, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

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Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

J.S. Bach is my “go to” composer when I want to play the piano. I struggle to play him well, but I love his music.

This little bust of J.S. Bach sits on top of my piano.
I’ve been using my Strobe/Speedlight a bit more and I’d like to acheive a level of proficiency with it.
It’s more intimating than learning the ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed triangle!

Nikon D700| Nikkor 50mm @f8| 1/60s| ISO 200| Manual Priority| Hand-held | SB600 @ 1/2 power

 

Cock-a-Doodle-Doo!

Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

I took this photograph back in March when it was cold and rainy out, and I was longing to be out with my camera. I broke out my clamp lights and started playing with Still-life compositions.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 85mm| f8| 1/20 s | ISO 200| Manual Priority| Tripod| Clamp light camera right| Textures by Bea Pierce & Exothermic

Oh, the clothes I would have…if only I could sew

Copyright © Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

This is my first sewing machine. The Universal De Luxe Family Sewing Machine. My parents bought it for me second-hand the summer before I started 7th grade. Sewing was required the first semester that year. I had to make an entire garment for the final. I made a little cotton dress with long sleeves, and  a zipper up the back. I barely passed the class.
I’ve always wished I could sew. Alas, sewing takes an engineering mind. One must be able to think inside out, upside down, right side out, and a step or two ahead all at once. My seam ripper has seen more action and been more successful than my sewing machine.
Irony…I have 3 sewing machines.

I’m afraid I don’t know the history of this machine; age or where it was built. I  did have the case, but it didn’t hold up through the years. I had to throw it away a few years ago. I’ll have to try to find one for it.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 85mm f1.8AF-D @ f8| 1/10sec| ISO 200| Manual Mode| Tripod| Clamp light w/daylight bulb camera right| Texture by Muffet

Fill Me with Serenity

Fill Me with Serenity, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

Via Flickr:
Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

While hanging out at home during the rainy week-end my mind turned toward “Still Life” photography. Something I don’t do often.
So I’m playing with some ideas, themes, and natural lighting. My favorite “go to” lens for this is my 85mm f1.8 AF-D.

Nikon D700| 85mm f1.8@ f5.6| 1/10 sec| ISO 160| Manual Mode| Tripod| Texture by Boccacino