Shooting on a mirror help.

[robrob276]

Hi all

I'm doing some commercial photography and experimenting with getting a reflection of the product I'm shooting underneath. I've tried shooting on perspex with good results from a certain angle, but I'de like a more prominent reflection and at a higher angle (perpsex doesn't seem to give this) so I'm experimenting with a mirror.

The problem I'm getting with a mirror is that when you go close in (particually at a low angle) it gives a blurry, slightly double reflection. Anyone know if there's any mirror glass out there that gives a crisper, single reflection, or is that just the nature of all mirrors? Anyone found any good solutions for shooting products with a nice reflection?

Thanks in advance.

Rob

 

[Garry Edwards]

Yes, you want a top surface coated mirror, this avoids the double reflection.
TBH though the result may be too 'strong' for you, unless you really do want a true mirror image.

Dark glass ( the smoked glass that was used for coffee tables and dining tables when it was in fashion) is the tool of choice for many people.

 

[Steve T]

Have a look in your local tile shop and look out for a 60 x 60 polished black porcelain floor tile. Totaly opaque so the reflection is right on the surface and you don't get the image bouncing back up through the glass layer thickness. All polished porcelain tiles are handy for this and old samples are a bloody nuisance to retailers so they should be happy to give you as many as you want to try. Beware of coloured tiles if you are shooting a colour criticle product though, there are some weird pigments used in porcelain that may reflect strange colour casts.

 

[robrob276]

Thanks guys!