Light Box Photography

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Helen123

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Helen
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Hello everyone!

I'm photographing jewellery in a light box using a Nikon D50 and I'm having a problem achieving a white background when photographing certain items.

I'm using an EV of between +1.7 and +2.00. When I'm capturing colourful objects this works great but when I'm doing plain silver items the background looks murky and dirty. I am guessing this is because they're similar colours? To the camera at least...

Does anyone know the best EV settings to use in these circumstances or have any tips or tricks to overcome this problem?

Thanks in advance.
 
1) What are you using to light the light tent?
2) Where are you placing the light source/sources

Whatever the answer to the above, you will get more consistent and controllable results if you stop using exposure compensation and switch your camera to manual exposure.

Hope this gets the ball rolling.

The images will be coming out darker because the camera is seeing the light coloured silver and white background and thinks the image will be overexposed, so it is reducing the exposure time. This will happen less with darker coloured objects as the dark object will counterbalance the white background, so the camera will think the exposure time is correct.
 
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It will be hard and if the background is not at a higher light level to the object, the background will always look dirty whilst not over exposing for the object. You may find you need a different setup for fine silver jewellery or get used to the pen tool and post processing.

And yes, go full manual to give you more scope for adjustment.
 
https://usefulphototips.com/2012/01/25/photographing-a-white-subject-on-a-white-background/

https://uk.pixelz.com/blog/high-key-photography-white-products-on-white-backgrounds-part-ii/


Did you have any luck or problems with the advice here?
https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/light-box-photography.668875/#post-8025705

If you let people know what is still not working or what you have tried or equipment you have changed, maybe they can make further suggestions to help you?

It may be worth you booking a studio lighting/product lighting day course (do an internet search for your area) or asking your local camera club if there is anyone who can assist you, as its always easier to show people than to do it all in writing.

Just had a quick hunt and some of the hints on this video may help you. Despite the playfulness this guy was a very high end product photographer before he retired (major German car companies)

Phillip McCordall
Photographing silver and shiny subjects still life technique
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGOTnT_dagQ
 
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Thanks for the help and advice guys and thanks for the links MidnightUk it's very kind of you.
 
Unless you are shooting for ebay or something similarly low key. Drop the light tent, get rid of it, never use it again. Its simply the worst way of trying to shoot products, and just results in this very dull, kind of OK, but definitely not good images.

Secondly why are you using EV settings? are you shooting in some auto mode? You need to be able to control all your lighting and shoot in manual mode.
 
I'd shoot manual all the way. You have control of the lighting and so can have total control that way. I shoot my next door neighbours small products with just a roll of white paper as the background
 
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