OK, here's a simple pro set-up: Set up the camera facing where your objects are to be photographed (a cyc or backdrop is fine, if you wish). You'll need two (or preferably 3) fairly powerful lights that are directional (ie., you can point the light in whatever direction you want, and it only illuminates what it's pointing at). If you have a large (~3' by 3') piece of white board (styrofoam sheets from Home Depot are cheap and work great), place or hang the board facing the objects, perhaps 30 degrees to one side of the camera, then bounce the most powerful light off of the white card and onto the objects being photographed. This is your key light. It's important to use all the same TYPE of lights (preferably incandescent). Flourescent lights have a greenish hue, incandescent orange, other types have other colours, so you don't want to mix them if you don't have to.
Now, if you have a second white board, place it on the other side of the camera, closer to the objects than the first board (perhaps 60 degrees off angle), and bounce the second most powerful light off of it onto your objects. This is your fill light. It shouldn't be as powerful as the key light, so if it is, just back off the white card a bit. If you don't have a white card, you can use your ceiling or walls, if they are light enough in colour, or you can cover the key and fill lights with white cellophane or gel (craft or dollar store) and that will serve to diffuse the light enough. Now, take your least powerful light and position it behind the objects, facing the camera (peeking overtop your background or cyc, if used). Make sure that the light hits the back of your objects BUT NOT THE CAMERA LENS. You are not going to diffuse this light. And, there, you're done. Beautifully lit photos coming right up... Cheers, Bob ----- Original Message ----- From: Richard Auras To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 3:04 PM Subject: [MOPO] OT: Display photography help...... Hi Folks, Once again I would like to pick the brains of the brain-trust we have here on MOPO. I have been photographing and scanning flat items for years but now need advice on photographing items with dimension. In June I will be bring back and selling my fathers estate. He is a big collector of items such as German Steins, Eagle statues and has a HUGE elvis collection of items. I will need to photograph these items and would like advice from any photographers out there. I have the camera so more need advice on backdrops and such. What is the best backdrop.... black velvet? Nothing is bigger than a lamp so nothing too big to photograph. Should I pre-light and not use a flash? Any help is GREATLY appreciated. Rick www.ilovefilms.com Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [email protected] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content. Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [email protected] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
