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roburado

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 18, 2005
Messages
6,089
Location
Commerce, MI
I've been wondering how to capture the many faces of Blue Dawn. It seems clear to me that direct sunlight is very helpful. Of course, the angles at which one photographs a Blue Dawn instrument alter the sparkle pattern that will be seen and photographed. I reached a few conclusions. Exposure compensation is definitely your friend. Exposure compensation on the + side definitely makes the sparkles go away. Exposure compensation down tends to bring them out, but can make everything really dark if you go too far. Obvious to experienced photographers, I know. Bracketing one's exposures really helps to bring out the Blue Dawn details we know and love. I shot 52 pics. These are the best IMHO. I've also included some extras showing my exposure bracketing.

Before the shoot, the Bongo had to get all gussied up in the makeup trailer. EB Wonder Wipes were the products used. Fretboard Conditioner was used for moisturizing. String Cleaner and Instrument Polish brought out the natural beauty.

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Jason Hebert

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 24, 2006
Messages
254
Location
Louisiana
Nice, that's a really hard color to photo. I've never been a huge fan of blue basses, but that color in person is fantastic.
 

Frankie5Angels

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 27, 2007
Messages
175
Location
In the Witness Protection Program
Nice photos. And a great bass. I can tell you as a professional photographer that it is not easy to capture something that is shiny and sparkly at the same time. Indirect lighting is the key, with lots of reflectors placed just so.

Excellent job.
 

high mileage

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 28, 2005
Messages
198
Location
Rockford IL
Even the case is blue - inside and out! Very classy touch.

I'll try to keep this short, but camera meters "average" the light that they see. The light colored concrete in the background of the first shot will (a lot of times) underexpose the shot because there's so much of that light color. The camera doesn't think that the overall light level (exposure) should be that bright so it makes it a little darker. Of course this isn't always what you want...

Nice job on the shots, it really looks great.
 

eegor

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 12, 2007
Messages
127
fantastic pics you got there! blue dawn is one of the best colors in existence hands down. congratulations!
 
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