Magic Lighting Photo Gallery by CM Kwan at pbase.com

Magic Lighting

In 2008, I had experimented on different lighting and multi-exposure techniques.

Equipment: Nikon Flashes (1 x SB-800, 2 x SBR-200, and a remote commander SU-800),
homemade reflectors and soft boxes; and a piece of black velvet as the background.

Curve and sharpness were adjusted thru' Nikon Capture NX.
Photoshop CS2 was used ONLY for framing the pictures.
No any artificial changes on the subject were made.
Helicon Focus was sometimes used to extend depth of field.

Fancy knowing the ways I shot these pictures,
Just click on the image and you'll find its lighting/technical information.

I welcome any comments and/or suggestions.
Thank you and enjoy your visit!

comment |

Barbara Dorota Karpowicz		31-Aug-2011 05:01
Great gallery! Beautiful colors!

Seeing Spots Photo		13-Sep-2010 16:35
Incredible, high quality gallery. Bravo!

Raymond		27-Apr-2010 20:41
All of your galleries are beautiful full of increadible images. And of them all, this one stands alone, it is the result of a magician indeed. This is simply ... MASTER WORKS.

Lars		28-Mar-2010 06:39
one of your best galleries! great work!!!!! v

Richard Callan		06-Mar-2010 22:05
This is a beautiful gallery. Amazing colours

Stephanie		03-Mar-2010 10:24
This gallery is magnificent CM ~ Your meticulous work has paid off! I see that I have a LOT to learn about off-camera flash photography! BV

Algis Kemezys		27-Jan-2010 14:57
Beautiful, simp-ly done with elegance...V

Cyrus Khamak		12-Sep-2009 21:54
This whole gallery is so very well taken, rich colors and fine lighting, BIG V

montree		28-Aug-2009 05:16
awesome gallery ...vote

Bonnie		29-Jun-2009 14:13
Beautiful gallery CM. V

Algis Kemezys		12-May-2009 13:47
simply beautiful........

Krzysztof Masłowski		09-May-2009 13:56
JUST OUTSTANDING. THANKS FOR SHARING. BV

Kat		19-Apr-2009 20:41
Beautiful gallery, thank you for sharing -V-

Kim		06-Apr-2009 15:20
Wonderful work of a master!! VV

Jeff Real		06-Apr-2009 01:32
A fantastic collection. Wonderful on black ~V~

Brian		05-Feb-2009 01:22
Outstanding work. You should write a manual on lighting!

Bonnie		26-Dec-2008 16:27
Beautiful gallery! Your use of light is amazing. May the new year hold many photographic opportunities for you.

meekam tam		14-Nov-2008 13:42
Extremely beautiful gallery,CM. V

George Moy		02-Nov-2008 22:04
Amazing gallery and nice work. V

Bartosz Kotulski		29-Oct-2008 23:41
such an amazing collection. fantastic work.my vote

Andy Hays		19-Aug-2008 23:37
Very beautiful work! I agree that there are great lessons and ideas in these photos. Thanks for sharing the techniques. I have the R1 system so I use my D300 as a commander. I finally purchased an SB-800 so I'm also experimenting with both kits together.

Alan Kwok		09-Aug-2008 12:14
These really are beautiful.. And thank you for sharing the techniques - there's a lot we can learn from these!

Magic		10-Jul-2008 15:45
nice gallery! my vote.

Donna		06-Jul-2008 22:55
Once again I am amazed at your insight--you keep me inspired. I have you bookmarked for frequent visits.

Elmer Quianio		15-Jun-2008 14:22
Beautiful gallery! Love the composition. Vote

Giancarlo Guzzardi		12-Jun-2008 07:48
a great gallery with a splendid lighting

AgnieszkaW		11-Jun-2008 22:24
Beautiful collection:)) v

Neil Guthrie		09-Jun-2008 20:37
Superb gallery. V!

PauloCGama		09-Jun-2008 13:34
stunning images - top quality gallery!! VV cheers

Gilbert Laurin		09-Jun-2008 03:41
Very beautiful gallery. Great technique and composition. Great control of lighting and DOF. Superb presentation of this gallery.

2004		08-Jun-2008 10:58
This gallery not also enables us to experience flower through your magic, but also brings you superfans from around the world.

Matthew Mannell		07-Jun-2008 09:27
Really beautiful work, highly enjoyed!

Richard G. Thompson		06-Jun-2008 17:54
This a beautiful and creative gallery that is hard to leave once you start looking. The lighting and colors are sensational. Excellent! BV

Felix Ho 禧多郎		06-Jun-2008 17:28
Good job. Thank's a lot for your sharing.

Steve Morris		05-Jun-2008 18:25
This is not just a stunning gallery with amazing photography, it is also a master class in how to make beautiful vibrant compositions with the correct equipment!! Big vote CM!!!

earthsmiles		05-Jun-2008 02:05
WOW! Lovely work and gracious beyond words that you've shared the "how to" behind each image! v

Tuan Tran		04-Jun-2008 14:31
oh my goodness this is so beautiful.

Peter Stahl		04-Jun-2008 14:01
An amazing showcase. The lighting and detail are always outstanding. You should be very proud. Thanks for sharing your technique's with us. GMV.

Bill Warren		04-Jun-2008 13:21
Many on pBase would benefit from spending time in this gallery. You show pro quality studio look flower shots--A subject that is available to all of us that can buy or pick a flower. The small homemade studio set you describe is also within reach of many. This gallery certainly deserves a big vote.

meekam tam		04-Jun-2008 04:17
Very interesting experiments with lighting and great pictures!

Guest		04-Jun-2008 02:24
Stunning

Jean D'Ao�st		03-Jun-2008 13:56
Very beautiful gallerie, a great work and control of the light & a beautiful presentation of each photography.

Alina		03-Jun-2008 11:36
Very beautiful collection of flowers. You are the master of light :) v

waltsprings		03-Jun-2008 05:27
Everything about this gallery is truly amazing! V

Barry Ailetcher		03-Jun-2008 03:21
YOUR work is out of the world great.

Kathy Thompson		03-Jun-2008 02:54
Outstanding work. Thanks for sharing. V

Yen Lavina		03-Jun-2008 00:01
Impressive gallery! Thanks for sharing your techniques! V!

Georgios Tsiminis		02-Jun-2008 11:23
Great gallery - and thank you about the shooting information too!

Tangsanshi		02-Jun-2008 07:08
your gallery is impressive and I like your compo a lot.... Thanks for the info too. Tang

golfpic		02-Jun-2008 01:26
What a great way to photograph flowers.

click		01-Jun-2008 22:47
Framing, lighting, DOF all WOW!! Sugestion, it would be interesting to include a separate album for wildflowers. Thanks for the lesson.

Zain Abdullah		01-Jun-2008 19:40
Very impressive portfolio with beautiful artificial lighting.

Christian Frisquet		01-Jun-2008 17:41
Outstanding gallery ! Excellent work and quality !!!!!Big vote..VV..

DL		01-Jun-2008 13:58
You are a great magician! It really shows your dedication and aspiration toward art. Salute!

NatalieV		31-May-2008 18:20
Outstanding gallery! Big Vote

Alex Foong		31-May-2008 07:52
You are indeed the Master of Still Life Macro photography, CM! You are so generous to share with us the technique used to capture these marvelous detail works. A true 'Si Fu' in PBase!

southernshots99		31-May-2008 03:45
I know you have probably heard this before but the textures, details and vibrant vivid colors of this gallery are amazing!! Thanks for sharing your techniques with us, I will try this and hope just a portion of the outstanding results you got! Voted

Tony Botelho		31-May-2008 02:35
Absolutely outstanding. Thanks for sharing the teckno Tony B

Naret Visesvongsa		31-May-2008 00:46
Your work is very impressive. I would like to thank you for technical information sharing too. Vote.

Bang Truong		30-May-2008 01:45
Very impressive works my friend !

Guest		30-May-2008 01:40
Breathtaking, outstanding work, striking results. V

Guest		30-May-2008 01:23
Wonderful work!

Michael Shpuntov		29-May-2008 18:04
Fantastic gallery. Full of beautiful colors and light. Real magic. Vote.

Martin Schiff		29-May-2008 16:48
This is a stunning gallery. Beautiful images.

silvia marmori		29-May-2008 16:32
i am so impressed to see this gallery.. far one of best I've ever seen.. your good eye and great tehcnique but also your sensitivity to capture.. a plus apart goes to your generosity to share , in all so great details, how you did it.. my compliments and my thanks! V

Kristy Sherrells		29-May-2008 15:30
gorgeous gallery!

Ken Duckert		29-May-2008 13:56
Magic lighting indeed! But probably not by magic though - you've produced a wonderful, world class gallery of color, line and light. What fun to see! Big V

Larry Grace		29-May-2008 03:11
Your work on these images is outstanding. thanks for sharing...V

Barry Ailetcher		28-May-2008 21:04
WOW what a talent and what a gallery it is super

Patty Roth		28-May-2008 15:07
I could look at this gallery all morning. And I will return. Lovely color and simple lines--such elegant beauty. Thanks!

Mary Bowles		28-May-2008 11:57
A masterly gallery. Simply beautiful And you have generously shared your techniques. Magic lighting indeed.

Meta		27-May-2008 19:40
What an outstanding gallery, full of amazing , superb executed images. V

tomr-photos		27-May-2008 15:46
Excellent! Outstanding! Superb! ... Nice!

Ann DeCamp		27-May-2008 00:00
This is really a great gallery. Very nicely executed and presented

Jim & Josefina		26-May-2008 16:00
SUPERB! Beautiful lighting, color and fine details! Will go to #1 V!... Josefina http://www.pbase.com/bonner01/violet

Christopher Schlaf		26-May-2008 11:21
One top notch gallery.V

an nguyen		25-May-2008 11:23
I had to come back to this gorgeous gallery and vote again. My compliments to your very fine art work. V

Jean-Claude Liehn		25-May-2008 04:48
Photography is basically a documentary art. Your work illustrates that perfectly. With a sophisticated technique you show us how the flowers are, with all the details. But this perfection produces very artistic pictures. This is the paradox of photography. This is also a great tribute to the beauty of Nature. Deep congratulations again.

Marc Demoulin		24-May-2008 13:31
Bravo, great technique but moreover, really artistic images! Vote. Best RGDS marc

Simon Chandler		23-May-2008 23:28
Magical gallery with images created with magical lighting. Every image is artistic and beautiful. v

nabilakil		23-May-2008 11:51
i thought i was good. pleased to find you better. exellent methods of shooting flowers and close ups. congrats. nabil

Arlon		23-May-2008 11:30
Nicely done, thanks for sharing the details.

Guy Dube		22-May-2008 13:30
This is my second time to comment this galery CM, beautiful all the way!

LynnH		21-May-2008 15:05
Wonderful and educational too. Thank you!

Walter O. Koenig		19-May-2008 19:59
Easily one of the best macro galleries I've seen. Superb work with different lighting. Thanks for the descriptions and explanations, they are very helpful. Big "V"

Robert Marleau		19-May-2008 12:47
superb gallery! creative, colourful ,it is rare to look at photos that were not altered in Photoshop. Bravo!

Emad Omar		18-May-2008 13:44
Outstanding Gallery, Keep them coming

Patricia Lay-Dorsey		15-May-2008 02:05
I love returning to this gallery, CM. Each time I see more magnificent images. What a treasure!!!

Brian with an Eye		26-Apr-2008 23:00
Superb and inspirational! Congratulations on a body of work of the highest standard. ~V~

Lee LaFontaine		16-Apr-2008 03:57
A beautiful gallery. Every image is outstanding. Vote. Lee

Gil Azouri		12-Apr-2008 20:29
Wonderful gallery! V

Mihai		11-Apr-2008 11:32
Magnific Gallery !!!! V

thomas		07-Apr-2008 15:55
i'm not a big fan of macro and flowers photography, but this gallery is really enjoyable! great colors, light, details and a very good presentation, V

Peter Stubley		05-Apr-2008 02:50
Nice work. Flowers are great for practicing lighting, and you show a nice eye for light in this gallery. Well done.

Marcia Colelli		04-Apr-2008 11:06
amazing work and amazing gallery V

zarabeth		01-Apr-2008 17:52
Very nice effects. Flowers are beautiful and yet the subject has become cliche because everyone takes pictures of them. You have presented them in a new way. Good for you! V

Jean-Luc Rollier		01-Apr-2008 07:45
Very interesting collection. Love the Black BG and the light! JL V

Reflections by Ruth		28-Mar-2008 15:57
this is a striking gallery, catches your eye right away, the bright colors and back lighting against the black background set these off nicely, Super work, wish I knew more about flower photography like you :) V!!

Mimi		26-Mar-2008 00:25
Awesome gallery, beautiful light and great macro! GMV

KhoonKiah Lee		22-Mar-2008 08:37
Excellent macro gallery!

Darbowski		21-Mar-2008 13:59
An amazing gallery ! The work on lighting is perfect !!! V

Ieke Vonk		21-Mar-2008 11:34
Great work

olderhvit		20-Mar-2008 01:37
Wonderful gallery. V.

Israel Fichman R.I.P		18-Mar-2008 05:05
Amazing gallery, Absolutely fantastic !!! V

Yves Pinsonneault. Photographe		17-Mar-2008 15:04
Really incredible gallery ...

Yi Feng		14-Mar-2008 03:23
Wonderful work! V

Chad Ramsey		11-Mar-2008 16:29
Beautiful works of art!!! GMV

henrywong		11-Mar-2008 08:16
What the beauty! Thanks for the sharing! V!

Enny		08-Mar-2008 14:40
excellent work, my compliments.

Betty Wilchek		05-Mar-2008 03:47
One of the most Beautifully done Florals on pbase. Gallery Vote

Milos Markovic		01-Mar-2008 12:35
Truly exceptional photography, CM. I love the tack sharp , brilliantly lit photos. What I find very special is that You have decided to share your setup instructions and that makes Your gallery even more worthy to every aspiring photographer. Bravo! (v)

Debbie Blackburn Beierle		01-Mar-2008 07:16
A stunning gallery! Excellent "magic lighting" with gorgeous results. Magnificent showcase of your talents!

delog		28-Feb-2008 17:48
this is a delightful gallery fulled with wonderdus images of color and light v

Monique Lagu�		27-Feb-2008 13:26
Magnificents this gallery. v

TuTmin		25-Feb-2008 12:05
Outstanding gallery.I love all of them.great work.huge vote.

Rosemarie Kusserow		25-Feb-2008 11:54
Beautiful gallery with wonderful colors and really magic litht, great compositions, it was a plesure to view at, vote, Rosemarie :o)

Jean-Claude Liehn		23-Feb-2008 06:29
Great work. I have been trying to do something like this for months. You managed to do it. It is not Magic Lighting. It is Mastering Lighting. Congratulations.

daniel		20-Feb-2008 17:30
Vote !!! I really fell in love of this gallery, and i'm thankfull for you sharing this photos... and thankfull again for you sharing the techniques.

alfredo camba jr.		16-Feb-2008 16:14
Very beautiful gallery! Very nice lighting!! Vote!!

Eric M		15-Feb-2008 15:17
Fantastic! Thank you for sharing all the technical side as well.It's always special when someone is willing to share that.It helps all of us grow!

Brian Grose		15-Feb-2008 05:28
Unbelievable job with the lighting, remarkable!! Keep them coming.

Richard Calmes		13-Feb-2008 19:50
Beautifully exposed and presented images! V

Sofia Solomennikova		13-Feb-2008 11:30
A wonderful and really magical gallery of these beautiful flower macros, throught which a kind and affectionate person and attitude can be clearly seen. I hope the gallery will grow and bring us a lot of pleasure and love to share! V

Ali Majdfar		11-Feb-2008 08:09
Fabulous gallery, excellent shots. GMV

Raymond		09-Feb-2008 03:18
This gallery is an insp�ration. The lighting is perfect, the subjects are gorgeous, the framing is outstanding and presents the images in a fabulous manner... it all adds up to a Master Class in macro photography. Your body of work is exceptional CM.

Guy Dube		08-Feb-2008 04:22
I saw and comment most of your pictures here CM, this galery is beautiful, very well done and a lot of work! Chapeau all the way! V

James Giovanni Pan		01-Feb-2008 15:58
Art in the simplest form. Sensual lighting, methodological composition. So much to learn from you. Absolutely captivating.

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