question. i am just wondering what some of you guys do to take pictures of your work? what kind of backgrounds do you use and what methods do you have. Im no stranger to photography basics (i was a film student for some time) but just would like some forst hand advice. thanks! :cool2:
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taking great pictures
- Thread starter jcooper
- Start date
Photo background
I bought a used slide projector screen from a church bazzar. I use that and a roll of neutral temperature photo background paper I bought at the professional photo store (not a regular camers shop). I set the photo area well away from the shop to minimize the impact of wood dust.
I bought a used slide projector screen from a church bazzar. I use that and a roll of neutral temperature photo background paper I bought at the professional photo store (not a regular camers shop). I set the photo area well away from the shop to minimize the impact of wood dust.
I made a collapsible photo tent from pvc. I drape it with a doubled sheet and the lights shine thrrough the fabric. So far I just use a piece of matte white poster paper as a backdrop but will probably get some photo-gray. I am by no means a professional when it comes to photography!
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
Jcoooper I shoot art work almost every day at work and I teach workshops on how to shoot art work using inexpensive lights and a homemade photo booth. If you will e-mail me at johnclucas@charter.net I will send you a handout that I use on constructing a photo booth. When you start shooting your own work you will usually have some problems so feel free to e-mail me at that address and I will try to help you with the problems.
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Oooh, the possibilities...
I would assume that you're talking color photos here, and I'm also assuming that you're taking pictures of naturally finished (not stained or painted) pieces.
First: On lighting. Do not use a direct camera mounted flash! If you must use an on-camera flash, then make sure you can bounce it off a white card or similar. Direct flash creates harsh highlights, especially on glossy or semigloss finishes. If you have a multiple flash setup, just go with the good old key/fill routine. My preference is for natural lighting from a north-facing window.
Next: On backgrounds. John Taylor mentioned the old slide projector screen---although this is convenient, it also reflects a _LOT_ of light. If you have access to one of these, I would recommend using it as a reflective source for fill lighting when working in natural light. As for a background, I would recommend a contrasting earthtone or a light value of a cool tone. Broadcloth is easy to acquire at wal-mart, is relatively cheap, and can be draped over just about any support. Unbleached muslin can also be acquired pretty cheap, and if you want a different color, you can get a package of rit dye to color it (although the saturation resulting in an unbleached muslin is going to be lower than if you used bleached muslin). Make sure that the support over which you are draping your background cloth is large enough to fill the frame. Also, as an aside point: Make sure to use a setup where you won't be casting your own shadow onto the work.
Good luck,
Henry C. Gernhardt, III
I would assume that you're talking color photos here, and I'm also assuming that you're taking pictures of naturally finished (not stained or painted) pieces.
First: On lighting. Do not use a direct camera mounted flash! If you must use an on-camera flash, then make sure you can bounce it off a white card or similar. Direct flash creates harsh highlights, especially on glossy or semigloss finishes. If you have a multiple flash setup, just go with the good old key/fill routine. My preference is for natural lighting from a north-facing window.
Next: On backgrounds. John Taylor mentioned the old slide projector screen---although this is convenient, it also reflects a _LOT_ of light. If you have access to one of these, I would recommend using it as a reflective source for fill lighting when working in natural light. As for a background, I would recommend a contrasting earthtone or a light value of a cool tone. Broadcloth is easy to acquire at wal-mart, is relatively cheap, and can be draped over just about any support. Unbleached muslin can also be acquired pretty cheap, and if you want a different color, you can get a package of rit dye to color it (although the saturation resulting in an unbleached muslin is going to be lower than if you used bleached muslin). Make sure that the support over which you are draping your background cloth is large enough to fill the frame. Also, as an aside point: Make sure to use a setup where you won't be casting your own shadow onto the work.
Good luck,
Henry C. Gernhardt, III
taking pictures
Most good quality cameras come with a good detailed book that will help you. Many also include software that can help you touch up your photes and balance light and color. The digital camera has made sites like this possible, and most will give you the option of using tungsten, Fluorescent, or daylight as a light source. I thought some of the earlier threads featured good advice. You might want to look into a photo tent. Search online photo suppliers and you can find one.
Most good quality cameras come with a good detailed book that will help you. Many also include software that can help you touch up your photes and balance light and color. The digital camera has made sites like this possible, and most will give you the option of using tungsten, Fluorescent, or daylight as a light source. I thought some of the earlier threads featured good advice. You might want to look into a photo tent. Search online photo suppliers and you can find one.
http://search.ebay.com/photo-cube_W0QQfnuZ1QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ3QQxpufuZx these work great.