Dangerous Curves
The continuing rain and generally poor weather have given me the opportunity to workout the right side of my brain and explore my creative muses. As a result, the images that I’ll be posting over the coming days will be taking a distinct turn away from my usual landscape images.
This image is obviously an acoustic guitar. Beyond that, it is an experiment in curves, lighting and post-processing. I shot this in natural, indoor light against a black background using a 5-n-1 reflector to flag the left hand side and a white panel to diffuse the right side.
Processing for this image included masking the black background and replacing it with a pure black layer in Photoshop CS5. In Lightroom, I applied and adjusted a preset called ‘MagentaEdge’.
This particular image has emphasized my need to calibrate my LCD and notebook screen. On my LCD the guitar body has a slightly warm, honey tone but on my notebook the tones were much cooler and the warmth was completely lost. Notebook screens are notorious for having a poor color temperature but I would be interested in hearing how it appears to you as I use my LCD for all of my editing.
After I chose the title for this post I Googled it to see where else it turned up. Oddly enough there is a book titled Dangerous Curves: The Art of the Guitar featuring the work of photographer Carl Tremblay.
Camera settings: Canon 60D
Processing: Adobe Lightroom 3
Very nice. Great composition and the tones are gorgeous.
Scott Wood recently posted..Labor Day in Gila Bend
Wonderful lines. Years ago, there was a show at Boston’s MFA called, Dangerous Curves: The Art of the Guitar. This is a perfect fit for the theme.
Bob Lussier recently posted..Chrysler 300
Absolutely incredible work here Curt!
Toad Hollow Photography recently posted..Cowichan Station
How cool is that Curt!This really turned out great.
Cool picture!
/Victoria (Sweden)
Victoria – Foto recently posted..Äskhults by
Love that you’re doing some interesting experiments like this. Looking forward to the rest of the series you present here this week.
At work, the guitar body is almost monochrome – not much warmth at all. However, I’m sure my LCD’s at work aren’t calibrated that well
Heath O’Fee recently posted..Ice Age
Wonderful abstract! Love the mood of this photo!
Rick recently posted..Clock Reflective
I feel ya on the weather.
Now you know I’m big on experimentation, love it. Great way to bring out that creativity.
Nice work on this, Curt. Great changeup. The grain in the wood looks very nice and the soft lighting works well.
Jimi Jones recently posted..Sunrise on the Harbor
Nice way to shake up a Tuesday. Well done Curt.
Chris Frailey recently posted..Rise And Shine
I love the experimentation – it has really paid off. Your mask is spot-on, very creative image!
Steve Beal recently posted..Rescue Window
Fantastic Curt. I love this. I’m glad you told me it was a guitar because I didn’t see it either at first.
Edith Levy recently posted..It’s A Job
Really cool shot here Curt, love the abstract feel to it!
Dave DiCello recently posted..All different shades
Very nice change of pace Curt. Nice light and work. Really like this.
Len Saltiel recently posted..Salerno Rooftops
Fantastic image, Curt. There are so many everyday items that take on a whole new identity when shot creatively. Well done.
Steven Perlmutter recently posted..20 Min Tie
Spectacular image and processing Curt! Just for reference sake, this image has a very cool and very slight plum cast on my computer.
Cathy Ross recently posted..Hope. Joy. Love.
This is a very different image for your blog, but a change is always nice. Obviously it is a guitar, but I admit I did not see this until I read your post which pointed it out; nice lighting and curves. I look forward to seeing what other shots you come up with this week.
murphyz recently posted..Gherkin – Sunset