You are welcome.
The black background helps, but some of the overheads I have shot are in my grow boxes, with silver backgrounds and still get the moody effect. Some of it is how I shoot, and the other is some simple post-processing I use with iPhoto that came with my Apple computer.
For the two shots I posted on GDBs thread I used an old dimmable, 3-color channel
@ViparSpectra 450w grow light for the overhead light and set it somewhere around 5% and 25% power. That is still bright enough to cause contrast in a normal to dimly lit room. I urge you to experiment.
I do it with that old light because it still works, makes the colors pop, and it is a spare after upgrading to my XS 1500s and the 1000. I set it up in my trim room. It's a very cheaply set up studio. I should post in my journal some time. What do you think would you like to see the set up? I'll shoot that later and post it here.
Remember:
Turning Down the Power of Your Overhead Grow Light
is the Most Important Thing You Can do to Get the Effect!
Most cannabis photos are overexposed and it shows in the trichomes. They are powerful little lighthouses that can make a bud pop. They help create the contrast by collecting the overhead light and distributing it around the cola. At some stages of bud development they help a bud glow. I think it's a cool effect.
Post Production
In Apple iPhoto
- Adjust shadows with a setting called Brightness to take down shadows and lower mid-tones while keeping highlights.
- Increase Contrast,
- Increase Black Point,
- Use micro-contrast adjustment Definition at about 35% (this helps increase definition in the veins of the leaves).
At this stage it takes some balancing with exposure to keep buds bright, but well defined, and shadows down. Just a bit of tweaking.
Next Steps.
- Adjust Curves setting with a normal "S" curve, bringing Black down further, and being careful not to blow out your Highlights,
- Adjust Sharpening:
- Intensity .85
- Edges: .80
- Falloff: .35.
- Apply Vignette setting and adjust to taste.
Those photos I put on GDB's thread were taken with my Nikon D810 full-frame camera, which means I was pretty serious about coming away with something.
The photo I entered in the PHOM contest was taken with my Nikon D90 with jpeg output settings applied in camera. It was shot under clip-on hog lights in my grow room, using the backdrop for shooting photos of my drying buds. They were just pretty buds getting ready for harvest.
I hope this helps.
Maybe I should do a screen capture video and show you how it is done some time?
Thank you for asking.
MGM