Bows

Hi all,

very much out of my picture-taking area but my brother asked me to take pictures of his selfe-made bows for his homepage - So I made a few test-shots but since this was my first attempt I would very much like to get honest good/bad advice from knowledgeable people.

ANY hints/advice would be very welcome :-)

Never realy used flash before - so getting the bow lit and the background nice and dark/black was very challenging.














Thank you all very much!

Hi Gerald,

Sorry, missed these which, for a 'lapsed archer' is disappointing to say the least!

First, I have to say that I think your brother has done a fine job here and the bow looks really lovely - the colours you show us and the details stand out as being custom made and that should appeal to many users I've met over the years.

A few comments - and the main one is please add numbers to the images as it makes people's task a little easier.. ! For the shots themselves, then I like the look you've given these with a mixture of high key, low key and detail images which help show off the best of the bow's construction and detailing. I think the first two show off the design and flow of the bow really well - a lovely sinuous curve which is very inviting. The details are pretty well handled, though I agree with Angora above in that you need to pay attention to the areas in and, especially, out of focus; if you want a diffused area then go for a really diffuse setting as then it looks like that was your intention all along? It also removes any unwanted distractions from the scene.

I think you have handled the colours and tone very well though - the change from black to white as a background do not seem to alter the colours dramatically so you have balanced the colours out well, though the shot of the handle area laying horizontally down against the white background could do with a little more contrast 'punch' to bring that lovely texture on the grip out? I also think that a better depth of filed on the shots detailing the specification of the bow - I am assuming this has the length and the draw weight? - would be useful for people to see exactly what specification the bow has been built to.

Otherwise, for a first go at this type of thing - and it is not an easy task as you have found out - then it's a fine effort and your brother should be pleased with these. If he is thinking of going 'commercial' in any way then it is a good set for him to use with local clubs etc. and I wish him well.

Oh - and perhaps a shot with an arrow already in place and ready to go might have been a nice finishing touch?

Take care and I hope the bow shoots as well as it looks!

Best regards, Neil.