Oh, dear! Please help!!

[MelissaD]

Hi everyone!! I haven't been here in a really, really long time. Photography was my first artistic love, but then I found flameworking (melting glass in a really hot torch) and that is what I've been doing for the last 2 years. So now I have a new challenge for photography that I have never tried before...product photography! I need to get really good pictures of my glass art pieces to send in for juried show applications and such. Here is where I'm at:

I went out and got some 5600k bulbs (I think they were 23 watt...the package says they are the equivalent of 90 watt incandescent bulbs) and a larger piece of paper for a background. Well, the background clearly has too much texture in it, but I know I can fix that by getting some seamless photo paper to use as a background. The real problem I had was the bulbs. To make them light the piece sufficiently, I needed to move 2 bulbs so close to the piece that they got into the frame and I had to crop them out. This also caused the bulbs to be too high, causing the shadows around the base. I find those super, super distracting! Yuck! There is some glare on the photo, but I think that if I can take care of my light problem, I will be able to adjust them so it's not so bad ( i can always find a way to diffuse the light (I do want a few hot spots anyway...just smaller ones). I do like the natural light-fallout creating a "true" gradient...it think it looks much nicer than the printed gradient I used to use. I think next time I'll get a darker and more neutral grey background, though. So...Should I use more lights? Should I get brighter lights? should I suck it up and learn about strobes? I read so much about using continuous lighting for product shots, but I'm wondering if it's really the best way. What, oh what should I do?? I'm open to any and all suggestions...what do you all think?? I will do anything I have to do to make my pictures absolutely perfect...

[Tyson L. Sparks]

I don't shoot much indoor but it looks good to me. Sorry I have no other input.

[Mr Yuck]

First off, beautiful product that is...I'm not entirely sure what it is, but I like it.

This is something you'll just have to play with and have fun with.

To make them light the piece sufficiently, I needed to move 2 bulbs so close to the piece that they got into the frame and I had to crop them out. This also caused the bulbs to be too high, causing the shadows around the base. I find those super, super distracting! Yuck!

Yes I do have a suggestion that might help you out in this area. :lol:
I'd recommend using different backgrounds, maybe a dark blanket or sheet, make sure it's clean and has no lint on it. Also use soft lighting, if you dont have professional, there are ways to make them practically for free

[Rocket_Scientist]

Your photography skills, and those of the former responders, far outstrip my ability in this area, but... I was just wondering how you joined the forum in 1969? I didn't know there even were forums that old...

[MelissaD]

Thanks to everyone for the input

LOL! I have no idea why it says I joined in 1969...I wasn't even born then ;) I joined PR quite a few years ago...back before they moved to this forum...maybe that's why? Too funny!!

[Greg McCary]

I like the background you have here on the upper part, but it is grainy at the bottom. Meybe a light box would help.
Greg

[readingr]

My only critique with the photo is that its too cramped. It needs more space.

With regard the lighting - it just needs a little diffuser to prevent the shadows and possibly a black background to make the item stand out better.

I have to say that its a gorgeous item on display.

Roger

[ravenmore]

yes, I'd diffuse the light more. Also if you want brighter lights on the cheap go to home depot and get some halogen flood lamps used to light work areas. I think tungsten white balance works well with them and they're wicked bright. Should be $100 or less for a good set up I think. Might work perfect for this.

[Chunk]

Can't you use more distance and longer exposure times?

Your needs are basically the same as someone who photographs jewelry. Here are a few sites to check out.
http://www.lapidaryart.com/projects_2.html
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/light.htm
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/photo_media.htm
http://www.abrasha.com/misc/photography.htm
Look at his jewelry too...

http://www.tabletopstudio.com/documents/HowTo_page.htm

[Ronnoco]

Photographing reflective surfaces such as glass work is not done directly at all. The expensive approach is a softbox. Creating a scrim is much cheaper using PVC pipe sections with the elbows and duct tape and then stretching a white bedsheet over a frame of about 8 feet by 7 feet. You then shoot an off camera flash through the scrim or bounce it off the scrim to create a soft glare-free effect. (note the glare in your photo). I often use black velvet or velour in the background because it does not reflect any light at all.
Remember also that shape and detail are really important in small pieces of work. It may be the compression or the direct lighting but your shot needs more detail in the work.

Ronnoco