need a little advice please

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Bolerus

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Mike
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need a little advice please.

at work I photograph pottery / china etc. using a couple of halogen site lamp things. very cheap option, and for most stuff it is fine (bounce the lights of walls etc)

The problem i have is when I come to photograph lustre pieces (which is extrememly reflective) flambe (same) and glass.

I was looking at getting in a light box on ebay and was about to buy it, but then i noticed the demo pics still have strong reflections.

SO...., does any body have some advice as to what equipment would be best (and cheapest)

As I said, I was thinking one of the £100 kits (light tent with 2 lights)

any comments, sugggestions would be apreciated
 
This might be better in the lighting forum...

Basically light tents (by whatever name) are for non-photographers who want to produce clear shots to illustrate products without learning how to do the job properly. They can't produce 'selling' shots that actually make the products look their best.

For that, you need equipment and a little knowledge. This may help, it's basic but explains the principles.
 
Garry Edwards said:
This might be better in the lighting forum...

Basically light tents (by whatever name) are for non-photographers who want to produce clear shots to illustrate products without learning how to do the job properly.
Click to expand...

that is quite a biggoted attitude dont you think?

isnt the point of asking question BECAUSE I want to learn to do the job properly

The inportant thing here is budget, the boss man, doesent know photography and doesent want to fork out multiple 100s of pounds for a proper set of lights and diffusers so I thought a light tent would be a decent cheap option.

I dont want a cheat to produce 'selling' shots that actually make the products look their best, I can do that ( on most things) perfectly well, What I do want is a way to stop the reflections of the lights on the worse of the pieces.

certain lustre pieces and flambe peices, will I am sure show reflections in a perfectly dark room. Bouncing lihgt off the ceiling and walls, is usually enough but sometimes isnt so I am looking for a cheap solution.
 
A light tent will work nicely for what you want to do and I totally disagree with the 'for those who cant be bothered' argument.

Just remember that when you have the light tent set up, to not have the lights too close. Consider buying a few small reflectors to bounce light about.

Cheers,
James
 
thanks moosh

one more related question, should I be looking at daylight balanced bulbs.


I shoot in raw anyway, so not sure if that would make any difference

cheers
 
If you're shooting in RAW then frankly I wouldn't lose sleep over it!

That said, if you want to get as much as you can right in-camera, then why not?

Cheers,
James
 
Bolerus said:
that is quite a biggoted attitude dont you think?

isnt the point of asking question BECAUSE I want to learn to do the job properly

The inportant thing here is budget, the boss man, doesent know photography and doesent want to fork out multiple 100s of pounds for a proper set of lights and diffusers so I thought a light tent would be a decent cheap option.

I dont want a cheat to produce 'selling' shots that actually make the products look their best, I can do that ( on most things) perfectly well, What I do want is a way to stop the reflections of the lights on the worse of the pieces.

certain lustre pieces and flambe peices, will I am sure show reflections in a perfectly dark room. Bouncing lihgt off the ceiling and walls, is usually enough but sometimes isnt so I am looking for a cheap solution.
Click to expand...

Well, I was only trying to help you. I suggested the lighting forum because it should be obvious that more people who understand lighting are likely to read posts in the lighting forum.

And I suggested an approach that works because I thought you wanted to learn. Obviously you don't. Wish I hadn't bothered now.
 
Bolerus, he was only trying to help :thinking:
 
Bolerus said:
need a little advice please.

at work I photograph pottery / china etc. using a couple of halogen site lamp things. very cheap option, and for most stuff it is fine (bounce the lights of walls etc)

The problem i have is when I come to photograph lustre pieces (which is extrememly reflective) flambe (same) and glass.

I was looking at getting in a light box on ebay and was about to buy it, but then i noticed the demo pics still have strong reflections.

SO...., does any body have some advice as to what equipment would be best (and cheapest)

As I said, I was thinking one of the £100 kits (light tent with 2 lights)

any comments, sugggestions would be apreciated
Click to expand...



ASDA were selling a Hama Studio XL for 19.99 - just what you need , have a look at this thread
 
Garry Edwards has a point to be honest. A light tent won't stop you from getting reflections and if anything may make the reflections bigger. Buying one won't solve all you problems, you need to get some understanding about "the family of angles" which on pottery might make your job very tricky due to the shape of the items and you could probably do with learning about "specular highlights" where you use the reflection to define the shape of the subject.
 
thanks for the pointer. as it happens i did go into asda looking for one of those last week, but surprise surprise they had sold out. the woman behind the counter told me when they come in the staff buy them, but if they have any more she would ring me (still waiting)


Gary, please except my apologies, the whole "without learning how to do the job properly" really wound me up.

I know that in an ideal world, a couple of sets of studio lights and a monster softbox would do the trick, unfortunatly that isnt ever going to happen at work (unless I happen to get some time in a studio and show him the results of what i can do with the correct set up)

had a search for "the family of angles" and so far have only been able to find things about underwater photography

I did try switching off all the lights and setting a 30 second shutter speed.

going to take my own camera in on monday and try it with flashes (got a couple of flash softbox's see if i can get anything with that.

colour cast shouldnt be a problem with raw.

any more pointers wouldbe apreciated (honestly) I'm not back in work till monday now, but I could practice on glass at home, not quite the same but similar
 
Maplin do a nice little box. It also has a gray background inside and isolates items well. I bought mine last year for £9.99. Its a handy little bit of kit that folds flat with a carry handle. I have used this for silver compacts with a piece of black card to assist. Yes, you can do this without but it's so quick and easy with.
 
Bolerus said:
just found
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=007tNJ

which explains the same concepts a little better. I think the only thing i can do is try and make a latge softbox to fit one the lights, and try and talk boss man into releasing some funds.
Click to expand...

Yes, that Lighting Theme by Brooks short is the definitive explanation. You might want to work your way through all the other Lighting Themes too.

The 'family of angles' is a principle outlined in the book 'Light, Science & Magic' - the 'bible' of studio photographers. Well worth buying.

As for your own budget restrictions, you could put the argument to your bosses that if they decent results they have a choice of hiring a pro or investing money.
 
Looks like the emotion hasgone out of this now! Just proves the old adage that "it's not what you say, it's the way that you say it!"

In support of Gary - if you don't want honest and direct comment and advice maybe be careful what you ask!
 
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