Used 10 exposures at different focus points and merged them to create greater DOF. First time I tried this technique. I like the results.
I don't think this will score all that high, but the exercise in creating greater DOF was worth it.
y 5th place in the Product challenge was done using 10 exposures at different focus points to get deep depth of field otherwise impoosible with a single exposure.
On the photography side, jewelry photography is pretty tricky all by it self. First I had to make sure there was no glare on the crystal, then I had to deal with the reflective surfaces. Several commenters mentioned they thought the shot was too tight. I don't have a proper setup for jewelry photography, so I used the tight crop to eliminate the reflection issue. Probably suffered a tenth or 2 becuase of it.
Now the DOF issue.
Here is my original shot that I had entered.
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I liked the shot OK but the shallow DOF bothered me. This was shot at f22. I tried backing away a bit and cropping a smaller image area but still could not get the DOF I wanted. Then I remembered the new Advanded editing rules allowed for multiple exposures to get greater DOF, except I had no idea how to do it. After a few Google searches I came across this little gem
This software brings in multiple images (including RAW) and renders an image that uses the in focus elements of the various images.
I took 10 shots at different focus points
As you can see, different parts of the watch are in focus in each shot.
The software compensates for the size shifting as the focus shifts - very cool feature. You can actually see it build the image in the display area as it parses through each image.
The software is Shareware and well worth the $30 price. You can download it and use it fully fumctional for 30 days before it starts to watermark images.
Statistics
Place: 5 out of 118 Avg (all users): 6.7081 Avg (commenters): 7.2381 Avg (participants): 6.5102 Avg (non-participants): 6.7946 Views since voting: 3744 Views during voting: 334 Votes: 161 Comments: 29 Favorites: 0
Certainly overcomes the narrow DOF with that lens. I think the technique works well. Strangely enough, I was helping a friend evaluate a Lange and Sohne watch earlier in the week just before I saw this during voting. I can, therefore, also appreciate the quality of this watch.
The lighting and focus are excellent. The shot could have been composed so that the viewing angle was more normal to the face. The chopped off date dosn't flatter the watch. 7
Very clear, great macro, this thing looks huge. Not so sure about this particular angle, I can see an edge above the "20" in the tiny window...makes it look as if it is defective or falling down, not something you'd want to portray in a product shot. But that is just a nit-pick.
Very sharp. I wish it would show a little more of the product though.
The way the date box is shown is a concern. along with the tight crop.
Maybe the crop is that tight to avoid distracting elements?
I think this would do great as a close up or macro shot, but not so sure it is a good enough take to show a 50 thousand dollar worth product.
Wondering where you got ahold of one of these, LOL... That's some seriously rarefied watch real estate there. The image is very nicely done as well, although I might quibble with the way you cropped portions of the watch face off.
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