Photographing Refections in Still Life

Our latest tutorial at the F-Stop Cafe Channel is once again presented by Rob Marshall. This week Rob unveils the secrets of one of his specialties - photographing still life on black perspex sheet. Whilst this may sound simple Rob has perfected this type of photography to produce simply stunning results.

All Rights Reserved - Rob Marshall

All Rights Reserved - Rob Marshall

The tutorial explains the lighting, capture and post processing of still life subjects and capturing reflections to their best effect.


This tutorial is of particular interest to me because I have attempted this method on many occasions - it is not as easy as it looks at first glance. As with all photography the secret is in the lighting and finishing and the tutorial provides excellent advice on both.


You can discuss this tutorial with Rob and the other resident photographers at the F-Stop Cafe discussion forum or visit robmarshall.net to discover more of Robs work.

The video tutorials at the F-Stop Cafe now include;

• Reflection shots on black perspex
• Raw editing
• Raw processing
• 5 minute tip on changing lenses

There are also static tutorials covering

• Techniques for flowers
• Black and white photography (Part 1)
• Long exposures

We are looking to expand our library of both static and video tutorials. If you have something to share, on a new and vibrant discussion forum please drop me a line; Steve at www.f-stop.cafe@virginmedia.com. Or if you simply wish to showcase and discuss you photographic work joint us at F-Stop Cafe. We guarantee you a very warm welcome

Thinking and Capturing Images In Black and White

Jeroen Knippenberg presents the first in a two part tutorial discussing the concepts of capturing the black and white image with a DSLR. Jeroen also discusses how the photographer needs to essentially 'think' in monochrome in order to capture that classic black and white photograph. Many photographers use monochrome images to capture mood and edginess within a scene and the tutorial is ideal for beginners who wish to gain an insight to the basics of the successful monochrome image. Jeroen already has an impressive portfolio of black and white images that should be viewed as a compliment to his tutorial. In Part two Jeroen will discuss post processing of images intended for monochromatic conversion.

All Rights Reserved - Jeroen Knippenberg

You can read and discuss this tutorial at the F-Stop Cafe Forum and present your own monochrome images for discussion, comments and critique on our new 'Monochrome Board'

The F-Stop Cafe Video Tutorials

All Rights Reserved - Rob Marshall

Rob Marshall at the F-Stop Cafe has started production on a series of video tutorials using his Canon 5D MkII. The tutorials are hosted by the F-Stop-Cafe Tutorials Board and The F-Stop Cafe You Tube Channel.   Rob has put a tremendous amount of effort into learning the essentials of video production in a unbelievably short period of time. He gets a massive vote of thanks from all at the Cafe. The initial tutorials covered a couple of basic subjects such as posting images to the forum and changing the lens on your DSLR. His latest production discusses the benefits and in depth techniques of the processing of digital images captured as camera raw files. Rob uses one of his own images to illustrate the basics of enhancing digital images within his own Photoshop workflow.

You can view the tutorial at the F-Stop Cafe Channel and discuss the techniques at the F-Stop Cafe Forum. You can even contribute to the video or static tutorials by e-mailing me at f-stop.cafe@virginmedia.com

The Launch of F-Stop Cafe Photography Blog

All rights reserved Jeroen Knippenberg

Welcome to the F-Stop Cafe Blog. This blog will act to showcase the work of our members at the F-Stop Cafe Photography Forum. This Blog will also cover news and events at the Cafe Forum

The Cafe started life as a Flickr Discussion Board created by well established hobbyist photographers who needed a location where they could meet, showcase their work and most importantly share honest, constructive critique. The discussion board took off and was well used but the format did not meet all our needs. The F-Stop Cafe Form was born and in its short life has become a hive of activity.

All rights reserved Rob Marshall

We have brought with us our aims of honest, constructive critique coupled with a congenial discussion environment. In addition the forum format will allow us to introduce learning tools in tutorial format. We already cover Long Exposures courtesy of Jeroen Knippenberg and Photographing Flowers by Rob Marshall. Our aim is to steadily increase the catalog of tutorials and all our members are invited to contribute their photographic knowledge.

Diversity must feature largely in any photographic forum and we pride ourselves in welcoming on board all styles and formats. Digital, film and software manipulated images will receive equal consideration. We will positively encourage experimentation and diversity. Most photographers however just want to take photographs..good photographs and that will always be at the heart of our endeavours. So whether you are a beginner or an old hand you will receive a very warm welcome at the F-Stop Cafe . Come and sit for a while take in the forum atmosphere and if you like what you see invite a friend. Participation in a new forum can be highly rewarding and contributing to its growth will inevitably supplement our personal development as photographers.

Steve O'Neill

Administrator at The F-Stop Cafe

What's Happening At The Cafe

Assignment entry by Willie Bau

This week sees the launch of our latest assignment theme...Curves. This assignment is designed to test our skills in the observation of form within the scene. The subject matter can be anything you like provided it incorporates the theme. There are no prizes at the end of the assignments but photographers are invited to provide honest and constructive critique and this proves a great learning tool whether you are an established image maker or a beginner. Join us in our assignment at The F-Stop Cafe