Bruce Freund on tue 16 dec 03
When we shoot pictures for slides we are not getting enough light on the
bottom of the pots where they sit on the back ground paper.
We are using black matte paper and 1 large soft box. We use the soft box
pretty much over head and a little in front. Since we are aiming the light
almost straight down any pots with a "belly" stop the light from getting to
the bottom. The problem even becomes greater when shooting pots that are
16" high as there is a 1/2 stop difference from the top of the pot to the
bottom. If we bring the soft box out in front of the pot we get that white
glare or reflection from the soft box on the pots, which have a somewhat
reflective surface.
We have tried bouncing light back in with reflectors but that does not do
the trick as it only adds fill to the sides. Getting a bounce back in the
front is almost impossible due to the physical angles of the lighten gray
back ground paper there is no problem but this black matte paper absorbs a
lot of light.
I guess one of my questions is if I should go out and buy another strobe
light? Since I am using a power pack with the strobe and additional strobes
are very expensive. Are most of you using 2 lights or just one and if so
are you using a snoot or barn doors on the 2nd light? I definately only want
to use strobes and not incandescent lights. Any suggestions would be very
helpful.
Thanks
bruce freund
Arnold Howard on tue 16 dec 03
Lighting is the most difficult aspect of photography. When I watch movies, I
notice the lighting. (Back lighting is very popular in movies.) Sometimes I
try to figure out how fashion pictures were lit. (You can see the lighting
reflected in the model's eyes.)
The problem with your lighting can be solved through experimentation. It
might help to place a white reflector in front of the pot just beyond the
picture area.
Arnold Howard
From: "Bruce Freund"
> When we shoot pictures for slides we are not getting enough light on the
> bottom of the pots where they sit on the back ground paper.
>
> We are using black matte paper and 1 large soft box. We use the soft box
> pretty much over head and a little in front. Since we are aiming the light
> almost straight down any pots with a "belly" stop the light from getting
to
> the bottom.
Tony Ferguson on tue 16 dec 03
Bruce,
You need a reflector on the other side to bounce the light on the dark side
of the moon. Also, try lowering your side light. There is an
anti-reflective coating you can spray onto your surface if it is really
shiny. However, I believe in showing the pot as it truly is--reflective
surface and all. You can use diffusion paper on your side light or even on
your light box--try it. Rothco 111.
Thank you.
Tony Ferguson
On Lake Superior, where the sky meets the Lake
Custom & Manufactured Kiln Design
Stoneware, Porcelain, Raku and more
by Coleman, Ferguson, Winchester...
http://www.aquariusartgallery.com
218-727-6339
315 N. Lake Ave
Apt 312
Duluth, MN 55806
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bruce Freund"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2003 6:39 AM
Subject: Lighting for slides
> When we shoot pictures for slides we are not getting enough light on the
> bottom of the pots where they sit on the back ground paper.
>
> We are using black matte paper and 1 large soft box. We use the soft box
> pretty much over head and a little in front. Since we are aiming the light
> almost straight down any pots with a "belly" stop the light from getting
to
> the bottom. The problem even becomes greater when shooting pots that are
> 16" high as there is a 1/2 stop difference from the top of the pot to the
> bottom. If we bring the soft box out in front of the pot we get that white
> glare or reflection from the soft box on the pots, which have a somewhat
> reflective surface.
>
> We have tried bouncing light back in with reflectors but that does not do
> the trick as it only adds fill to the sides. Getting a bounce back in the
> front is almost impossible due to the physical angles of the lighten gray
> back ground paper there is no problem but this black matte paper absorbs a
> lot of light.
>
> I guess one of my questions is if I should go out and buy another strobe
> light? Since I am using a power pack with the strobe and additional
strobes
> are very expensive. Are most of you using 2 lights or just one and if so
> are you using a snoot or barn doors on the 2nd light? I definately only
want
> to use strobes and not incandescent lights. Any suggestions would be very
> helpful.
>
> Thanks
>
> bruce freund
>
>
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Vince Pitelka on tue 16 dec 03
> When we shoot pictures for slides we are not getting enough light on the
> bottom of the pots where they sit on the back ground paper.
Bruce -
I have seen very good results with a single softbox and reflective cards. I
am not sure why they are not working for you. Are you using white cards, or
aluminum-foil-covered cards? You should try both. You can place fairly
large cards in the foreground just out of the picture, and they will reflect
a lot of light onto the lower portion of the pot. That has always worked
very well for me, although I almost always use a subsidary light to bring
out highlights. So, if the reflective cards don't work for you, then you
will probably need to buy another strobe. You could also just get an
inexpensive slave strobe, then you wouldn't need another power pack. Barn
doors will definitely decrease light bleed onto your background.
As mentioned in earlier posts, you need to make sure that the backdrop
surface around the piece is illuminated well enough that you can see it.
You need to be able to see the surface that the pot is sitting on, so that
it won't seem to be floating in space.
Good luck -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
615/597-5376
Office - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 x111, FAX 615/597-6803
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/
http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/
John Hesselberth on tue 16 dec 03
On Tuesday, December 16, 2003, at 07:39 AM, Bruce Freund wrote:
> I guess one of my questions is if I should go out and buy another
> strobe
> light? Since I am using a power pack with the strobe and additional
> strobes
> are very expensive. Are most of you using 2 lights or just one and if
> so
> are you using a snoot or barn doors on the 2nd light? I definately
> only want
> to use strobes and not incandescent lights. Any suggestions would be
> very
> helpful.
Hi Bruce,
I would try experimenting with a much smaller, cheap, slave strobe.
Maybe only 10% of the power of the one in the soft box if you can find
one that small. You can buy ones that screw right into a regular light
bulb socket for $30 or $40 if I remember correctly. Most of them will
function as slaves. You might have to place it well back to get the
light level low enough and then use barn doors to limit where the light
goes, but I'd first try improvising something to see if you can get
enough light underneath without creating hot spots or overexposed areas
up top. Going with multiple lights is always tough and should only be
done as a last resort in my opinion, but you may have the right
situation for them.
Regards,
John
http://www.frogpondpottery.com
http://www.masteringglazes.com
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