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C R Y S T A L P L A N E T

© Beau Hudspeth Photography

<B>C R Y S T A L P L A N E T</B>

Uploaded: August 30, 2004

Description

"Look deep in to my crystal ball ..."

A crystal globe I borrowed from a friend at work just so I could take this shot.

If you want to know the secrets of the pic, all one has to do is ask, and the keeper of the orb will reveal all ...



Comments

Isabel L August 30, 2004

Hmmmmm very interesting shot Beau!
I really like the colors in the shot and the lighting.
How did you do this?? #163494

Beau Hudspeth Photography August 30, 2004

THE "HOW TO":

I created a small box from foamcore stock so that I could control the light as well as reduce the amount of shadows cast by the lighting - the foam core is good and reflective without creating harsh lines.

The light stand is a spare mic stand that I have in my studio so I put it to work. The lights are a 500wt halogen and two 60wt desk lamps place in the front and rear of the subject in order to reduce shadows and give a greater overall brightness to the pic.

Behind the ball is some black fabric to help reduce the background light generated by the foamcore box.

The rainbow was created by placing the ball on top of an old CD. The reflections it cast off were transmitted through the ball and gave it the light spectrum you see here.

I did some minor adjustments in Photoshop to reduce the contrast between the bright & dark areas as well as one of my trademark steps. And because you asked, here it is:

I duplicated the main layer, gave it a gaussian blur of 35 or so and then set it's layer mode to screen. This helps to do two things: 1) it brightens the overall look of the picture and 2) supplies it with a subtle "soft focus" effect.

Flatten, downsample, add a border and there you have it! #743898

Beau Hudspeth Photography August 30, 2004

Here is a shot of the layout above ... #745180

Susana Ms Heide August 30, 2004

Awesome close up! Very creative way of using a CD. Thanks for the explanation. #745471

Donald K. Cherry December 28, 2006

This is a very nice and creative close-up image, Beau. I like the comp, colors and detail, however, it looks a little too "hot" around the S for my liking! #3746794

Beau Hudspeth Photography December 28, 2006

Thank you for the compliment!

As for the brightness, I agree, but as it is, that portion of the images has been darkened some in order to make the text appear at all -- it was originally fairly blown-out. :)
#3746809

Donna La Mattino Pagakis January 24, 2007

Very creative finalist image, congratulations!!!!! #3864275

Beau Hudspeth Photography January 24, 2007

Thank you Donna! I appreciate it #3864294

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic January 25, 2007

Congratulations on your finalist. Good luck in the next round. #3868737

Beau Hudspeth Photography January 25, 2007

Thank you Kay; I will keep my fingers crossed! #3869367

January 25, 2007

Nicely done #3870651

Beau Hudspeth Photography January 25, 2007

Thank you! It is always a pleasure when the powers that be comment on your images! I greatly appreciate it. #3870688

Steve M. Harrington January 25, 2007

Good on you, Beau! Well deserved.
Steve #3872462

Beau Hudspeth Photography January 25, 2007

Hey, thanx Steve! It's hard to believe that I took this image almost 3.25 years ago! #3872567

Susana Ms Heide January 25, 2007

I loved this image from the first time I saw it!!! Well done! Many CONGRATS Beau!! #3872812

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic January 25, 2007

Congratulations on your second place winner. #3872831

Beau Hudspeth Photography January 25, 2007

Thank you Susana & Kay. Keeping my fingers crossed seemed to work! #3872875

Janine Russell level-classic January 26, 2007

Beau, congratulations on your Second Place Win. #3875429

Beau Hudspeth Photography January 26, 2007

Thank you Janine! There was a lot of really good competition this round. #3875601

Remi Trepanier January 27, 2007

Congrats on you winner Beau. Awesome picture and colors.!!! #3880407

Beau Hudspeth Photography January 27, 2007

Thanks Sir! You too! #3880435

Shelly A. Van Camp level-classic October 21, 2008

This is sooo cool!!! Super work and thanks for telling us how to do it.....Not that I could! lol #6633181

Beau Hudspeth Photography October 21, 2008

Sure you could. Knowledge is power and you now have it! Go experiment!

Thanx for the praise! #6633669


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