Photographing Glass

[alpina]

I am enjoying reading Light Science & Magic and intend to use my studio time tomorrow trying out a technique the book call bright-field illumination.

Basically it calls for a light to be placed behind the subject, pointed at a shower curtain which then light's the glass.

Have any of you guy's tried this?

 

[Garry Edwards]

Yes

 

[alpina]

Aye Gary

Did it work?

 

[alpina]

This is what I am looking to do, would very much appreciate any tip's etc

 

[Garry Edwards]

Aye Gary

Did it work?

Well, it doesn't NOT work and sometimes it can be a good approach on its own. It works well when the glass is completely transparent, i.e. when it is invisible and there is literally nothing to photograph except the edges, which create diffraction - it's the diffraction that creates an edge that can be photographed.

2 things to remember though...
1. Using a piece of black card close to the edges of the glass will absorb some light and create a darker edge, which is normally a good idea. To be technical, the card doesn't just absorb light, it also creates a subtle dark reflection on the edges.
2. Although clear glass is invisible, etchings etc are not, so if there is any etching you may want to light it separately.

 

[alpina]

Thanks Gary

 

[alpina]

I enjoyed this shoot and I thought I would share the results.



Thanks again Gary

 

[Garry Edwards]

Well, there you go...

You've used black absorbers to darken the edges and have actually photographed just the refracted light - simple and effective