Ruth Mayer
April 2025 - Sand Dollars
About the Image(s)
My kids took me to the beach with them for Spring Break. I found these Sand Dollars on the beach, brought them home and thot I would play with them. Used a black background, at f5.6 iso 200 and shutter 1/3 second. Even though the shells were not real white, it was hard to get rid of the contrast. I have 2 lume cube lights and I used one on each side. I lowered the intensity of the lights and went down to about 3200 lumens so it would have a warmer feeling. Not sure about the black background, wish I had some sand to put them on. Will try that next time.
10 comments posted
(Group 30)
Just visiting from group 30. Ruth, I enjoy the soft light on the sand dollars. It feels like you have sharper focus on the rear sand dollar. Perhaps you could retake it, placing more focus on the foreground SD's. I agree, some sand would be helpful, or maybe just for fun, a colorful background. I would experiment. Keep at it!
Posted: 04/12/2025 18:01:31
Posted: 04/12/2025 18:01:31
I could give it a try. I will see if I like it all in tight focus. Maybe for next month. Posted: 04/19/2025 21:48:47
I like your composition of the sand dollars, Ruth. Not sure about your white balance. Was this taken as a jpeg? Also, I agree with Dorinda in that your focus seems to be on the back sand dollar. I would take the photo again and move the focus point around, maybe even try focus stacking. Posted: 04/13/2025 14:00:22
Thank you Karen I shoot everything raw. I have my lume lights that I can change the color range to a warmer tone. I think that is what I did. Posted: 04/19/2025 21:50:32
I agree with Karen. The sand dollar to the right front is a little out of focus. Focus stacking is definitely something I need to learn also. Nice composition though. Posted: 04/15/2025 18:38:34
I've done some focus stacking, I will have to try it on the sand dollars. Posted: 04/19/2025 21:51:27
Hi Ruth,
I find the soft light on the sand dollars to be beautiful and agree that seeing them in sand would be ideal. Posted: 04/16/2025 13:56:32
I find the soft light on the sand dollars to be beautiful and agree that seeing them in sand would be ideal. Posted: 04/16/2025 13:56:32
Thank you Charissa, I was going for soft light. The lume light go from 100% down to 0%. I think I took the photos at around 10% Posted: 04/19/2025 21:53:26
(Groups 21 & 48 & 71)
Ruth, I guess I am the exception. I love low key and simplicity. Your Sand Dollars are a great example of the strength of simplicity. Very slight focus issue but very well done. Posted: 04/18/2025 17:38:16
Thank you very much. I will work on the focus. Posted: 04/19/2025 21:54:16