Photographing fossils - Another photo added

sirch

sirch

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I'm no studio photographer and have no plans to become one, however SWMBO would like me to photograph some of her fossil collection (don't ask).

So, these things are grey amongst grey and include very fine details but are often reasonably large, from a shell an inch or two across to a coral nearly a foot long and I'm after some pointers about how best to light them etc. I have attached an attempt to give you an idea what we are up against. The fossil in this case is a shell on the top left of the rock and the rock is about the size of my fist.

First question is a black background best? if so what is the best cheap black background, as I said I've no intention on taking up studio photography so looking for low cost kitchen table solutions.

I have two flashes which can be used off-camera, what is the best way of positioning these to pull out the fine detail?
 
That's really interesting!

I think the plain black background really works well, as it isn't distracting.
 
That picture is a good one, I wonder if looking up details on "Product photography" on Youtube or google could help.
 
The best black background is a velvet.

I'd suggest a softbox from above and a gridded light to show the texture from the side. You might need to add a reflector or 2, and you might even need some clamps and bits of black card to add flags.

The technique is trickier than the gear generally, but it'll be interesting trying to hang a softbox over the table without a proper boom arm.

I've recommended the Godox s type adaptor and softbox many times, as it's a bargain. But grinding a flashgun is generally a DIY job, but you can buy them.
 
I thought this was a thread about David.
I'll just move on.
 
BintyMcFrazzles said:
That's really interesting!

I think the plain black background really works well, as it isn't distracting.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's what I thought.


huffy said:
That picture is a good one, I wonder if looking up details on "Product photography" on Youtube or google could help.
Click to expand...

Good idea I'll take a look

Phil V said:
The best black background is a velvet.

I'd suggest a softbox from above and a gridded light to show the texture from the side. You might need to add a reflector or 2, and you might even need some clamps and bits of black card to add flags.

The technique is trickier than the gear generally, but it'll be interesting trying to hang a softbox over the table without a proper boom arm.

I've recommended the Godox s type adaptor and softbox many times, as it's a bargain. But grinding a flashgun is generally a DIY job, but you can buy them.
Click to expand...

I've tried improvising a softbox with a lage-ish piece of scrunched up greaseproof between the flash and the subject seemed to work reasonably well, the kitchen light is more or less above the table so I could possibly try to hang it from that. Off to google to find out about gridded lights...

kendo1 said:
I thought this was a thread about David.
I'll just move on.
Click to expand...

LOL, or in my case selfies...
 
It can be done - sort of almost adequately - with just 2 lights but it really needs 3.
An overhead softbox, as mentioned by PHIL. This will provide general fill lighting.
A honeycombed light (probably a honeycombed softbox) skimming across each surface, to highlight the detail and texture. If you can't have enough lights for each surface, you will have to manage without, but only the surface that's properly lit with a honeycombed light can look right.

Finally, some over-sharpening using USM will make a difference too.
 
Garry, thanks for posting those tutorials but it looks like the Lencara website is having some trouble loading, I'll check back later.
 
Finally got round to doing some more on this - here is the latest

Fossil Coral by TheWub, on Flickr



and if anyone is interested here us the set-up

View attachment 36542


Basically it's a bright (~800lm) LED torch and two flashes, I've moved the one at the bottom of the photo to get it in the frame, it was further back (and pointing at the subject...) and the far flash is actually on its back pointing at the ceiling which is a neutral color so the bounce gives a reasonable overall light.
 
Looking good. Texture and shape, but a bit soft on the closest part.
A smaller aperture is called for, methinks.
 
Thanks for sharing the set up. Looks vastly improved over the first image to my eyes. Lots of texture revealed.
Looked at the flickr version too and agree the focus is sharper further back into the scene.


Gaz
 
Yes I was a bit disappointed with the softness on the closest part, It was f16, 1/125, 50mm I think the softness is due to the camera angle, I need to get the camera more overhead without affecting the lighting
 
Finally found some time to do a bit more on this. I was really chuffed with the photo below as it is pretty much SOOC

Fossils 025 by TheWub, on Flickr
 
I would be too. Looks great to me. That said people on here know I am no expert. Pretty sure you see this type of quality in magazines though.

Gaz
 
It might be a bit of overkill, but look into focus stacking to improve your DoF without compromising detail.

I'm sure @Pookeyhead won't mind me posting a link to his excellent guide on this subject:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/y833j4zhpqng98b/Week4 - Focus Stacking(1).pdf?dl=0

With regard to lighting, I know you'll need some "harsh-ish" lighting in order to pick out the textures, but I think you can do with a bit more fill light in the shadows. Maybe introduce a piece of card to bounce some light back on the subject?
 
TimmyG said:
It might be a bit of overkill, but look into focus stacking to improve your DoF without compromising detail.

I'm sure @Pookeyhead won't mind me posting a link to his excellent guide on this subject:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/y833j4zhpqng98b/Week4 - Focus Stacking(1).pdf?dl=0

With regard to lighting, I know you'll need some "harsh-ish" lighting in order to pick out the textures, but I think you can do with a bit more fill light in the shadows. Maybe introduce a piece of card to bounce some light back on the subject?
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll look into focus stacking.

It was a two flash set up with one providing fill and for some reason the flickr version looks darker and over-sharpened compared to the original version but I agree what you see above could do with the shadows lifting. I don't have a calibrated monitor so it is all bit of a guess.
 
Good progression, I really like the latest one, good texture in the important area which really grabs the eye.
 
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