Earth Tones - Pix critique please

[Brooks803]

Here we have a cigar with a blank I threw together last night in earth tones. A nice rich brown with a golden tan mottled with a deep green. Tubes were painted black and the finish is MM to 12000 and PlastX polish. All four pictures are of pretty much the same angle. I discovered a new lighting technique and I'm stuck on which I like best so if you could help me out please I'd appreciate it. The first photo is of my usual way and the next three I'm playing with the lighting. Thanks for looking and for any help! Also, I know the grey backdrop is ugly, but it's the best one I've found to show off the true colors in the pen.

 

[Jim15]

To my eyes the second one shows the pen best then the fourth.

 

[boxerman]

Very nice pens.

 

[bensoelberg]

I don't know anything about lighting or photography, but my eye is drawn to the 4th.

 

[wizard]

I vote for the second one. Like the pen too!!

 

[aggromere]

I like the last one the best.

 

[snyiper]

The lighter background of the 3rd pic gets my attention but the 4th pic overall shows more of the ben in a good light.

 

[Jon-wx5nco]

I love that blank. It goes well with a cigar. I have to vote for pic #2 as well. Pic #4 is a very close second.

 

[Tanner]

I like the second one because it doesn't show the shadow like in the others and light doesn't hit the top of the pen in the third picture.

 

[GoodTurns]

4th shot for me. the beige complements the pen. if it were a black or gray pen it might be one of the other shots!

 

[Brooks803]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! I'm gonna play around with the lighting some more tonight bc I agree with pics 2 & 4 as being best, but I prefer the overall look of pic 3, just need to not have it cast in shadow!

 

[lorbay]

2nd one looks good to me. No shadows.

Lin.