Tim made it pop much better.

Joe, I would move those knobs down by the deadhead, just so you could see them better. The rest is good. Oh and maybe use your purple velvet smoking jacket as the back ground!  

greg, you dawg....can't believe you mentioned my purple smoking jacket.

Joe I got the files......

I am swamped today in regards to getting some images done for a publication deadline I have.

If you want PM me your phone number and I can give you a call tomorrow and walk you through some adjustments to really nail this photo down from the start.

If you are going to get this printed we need to make some adjustments to the original file. The glare is a killer and can be fixed but I can show you how to take this image and nail it right from the start with no glare by making adjustments to the camera you have. And getting the exposure perfect. Then I can take that file for you and make it really shine!

Tim

www.timschoenborn.com

That top riser is killing me! Beautiful wood in that. Much better. I liked the idea of the fletched arrow being in the pic...just not the blue color. Maybe a more neutral color like a natural barred with white cock. Something that would blend in well and not distract from the colors of the bows and limbs. I look at it as the risers are the center piece, then the limbs add to this and the limb bolts and arrow are supporting them or decoration. I liked the lighting of the second picture.

Since there all parts to the bow, I's say picture 1 with all parts to the arrow. Maybe change the fletch color

But with that said from a non photographer, I have to ask one question.
Is there a class that Tradgang or someone puts outs that I missed signing up for?    

I sit here lQQking at my puter screen many times in awe.

I quess I'll have to add photography to the long list of craftsmanship found here..      

Every time I see a post wit the heading "opinions please", I know it's I wanna lQQk at right away. Even has my lil NYC Italian Princees wanting to see them.

Well for what it's worth...

The upper right hand corner is a little too "light".  I don't mean in color I mean in weight.  Sometimes that's a good thing but in this pic I think it's a little off.  

Look at it like this...On the left side of the picture there is alot of weight.  (It is not too busy just using all the space.)  The upper right has too much open space and doesn't quite balance it out.

I like all the elements you are showing but I would move the fletched end of the feather closer to the visual center of the picture.  The bright blue tends to draw the eye when put with the more muted colors and you want your eye drawn to the "center" (In this case I think that is below and to the left slightly of the moose antler.  The buttons, same type of thing.  They are small compared to your other elements so they need to be in a place that is looked at.  By putting them in the "empty" corner, they get missed.

Just a thought.  

Im like Vermonster...go with a dark grey backgound Im thinking

Nothing. Great pic.

I am with John Scifres on the compoition. I wish I knew all the "technicals " like Tim! He did make it pop better.

I think there are too many elements moving in too many directions in the frame, though. I would use one bow and its accoutrements, or incorporate all the elements into one sweeping direction, in order to cohere and amalgamate them, and keep my eyes from crossing in confusion.

Beautiful equipment, and I respect someone who can figure out technical details and work with studio lighting. I am an outdoor photography type, and hope for nature to supply the studio and the proper light. Less for me to think about!!
Killdeer  

Well, I like the picture just fine Joe but ...

I did notice the absence of one very nice '59 Kodiak replica.  I guess since it's not good enough for you anymore you better forward it to me.  

I think you should keep the bows. Make another picture for to hang and send this one to me. I like the composition. Starting in the lower left hand corner it takes the eye around to all the other equipment and ends at the beginning. All the subject matter is the same so even though it is full  there isn't anything that takes your thought away from the composition. IMHO  

Maybe a lighter background. The riser on the antler just pops out at you then you see the other stuff. Still a very good pic.

Looks Great! Please send me the original file too!!  :0)

all this advice is great. my goal is to place a photo in an already existing frame and mat. size of picture: 15" x 19"; overall frame: 24" x 28"
i can see where the light area on the moose shed draws the eye that way. i think that if i take the longer riser of the Robertson and move it to that area it will help.

i like the black out effect of the background. i have been trying to get my hands on a deer hide for a bit now. in the future i hope to have one.

my eye likes the blue feathers of the arrow in the picture but i agree that it's placement is not right.

and for you pro photographers, your right my equipment is not right for what i want to do. but i will see how close i can come with what i got. there is a struggle with my camera to take a crisp sharp picture in this setting. i am sure the lighting is not helping. my camera does not allow a manual focus unfortunately.

i will have to wait until another bright day when i'm home to do this over. in the mean time here's another pic i did a while back. but i decided that i want more gear in it.

About the first picture.
I think you need to open the exposer a little.
Just a hair to dark the whites a gray and some detail is lost in the black shadows.
Also the blue fletching looks out of place to me.
Maybe natural barred would fit in perfectly.

looks great.I think the arrow with some genuine wild turkey fletchings would add some naturalism to the picture and fit the color scheme a bit better and blend better IMO.