Reflective surfaces

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dizzysmum

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Tina
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Can someone tell me what to use to get nice reflective still life shots, and where can I get it from. Am looking for really high gloss surfaces,

Thanks
 
I have used a very clean mirror before but I have also used a piece of glass with a black cloth underneath it which worked well
 
Perspex, available from local plastics suppliers and Ebay.
 
You could try a granite or marble tile. Sold singly in most DIY stores and you can get some really nice designs to add some interest.

Phil
 
Pm BigAndy - I took some flower pictures on the ceramic plate on his cooker - they were fantastic.
 
Thanks for all the advice, I have ordered some Perspex from eBay so will see how I go on. Thanks again everyone
 
Plexiglass/Perspex works great - I use the coloured A2 sheets from Hobbycraft under mine, works a treat. Think those sheets are about £2.50 each and they're fairly heavy-weight card, plus there are a million and one colours so there are lots of options.

My main grip with plastic is it scratches very easily. I've found glass is better but it does run the risk of shattering, especially large pieces.

OP - how much did you pay in the end? I got mine from FocusDIY and for an A1 (rough size) piece I think it was about £25.
 
I have paid £11, which includes delivery for 2 A3 high gloss sheets, one in black and one in white. Hope they work. I tried glass over black card but didn't give a brilliant reflection. Will let you know what they are like when they arrive.
 
I've always used glass on top of black or white foamboard. Works a treat imo, giving lovely reflections. The key to getting a great reflection is a good lighting setup of course ;)

Darren
 
I think that is probably where I went wrong, I have major major problems with lighting. Really struggling.
 
dizzysmum said:
I think that is probably where I went wrong, I have major major problems with lighting. Really struggling.
Click to expand...

What setups have you tried so far? Are you trying to get a high-key or low-key look, or something else? I've managed to get some reasonable reflections with just a torch or two...some examples below.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bubbledouble/6709617227/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bubbledouble/6709622233/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bubbledouble/6709613851/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bubbledouble/6709646811/

Darren
 
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Just looked at your pics and they are exactly the sort of thing I am aiming for. I especially love 'Hold On', I am doing a project on Urban lines for my course and that is exactly the sort of shot I want to do. One of my other projects is sweets and I wanted to do some shots of sweets with reflections. Taken my first ones tonight on black perspex. Lighting was too harsh though. Will keep trying.
 
dizzysmum said:
Just looked at your pics and they are exactly the sort of thing I am aiming for. I especially love 'Hold On', I am doing a project on Urban lines for my course and that is exactly the sort of shot I want to do. One of my other projects is sweets and I wanted to do some shots of sweets with reflections. Taken my first ones tonight on black perspex. Lighting was too harsh though. Will keep trying.
Click to expand...

"Hold On" is an outdoor shot. It's the end of a kid's zipline in a playground, shot using my 105 macro lens (I'd been shooting flowers & bugs), looking up into the dull overcast sky. It's had a bit of pp done to it, but not much.
 
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