Same glass object, four different set up's...

[Don Kondra]

Greetings,

This is a glass sculpture I "made" during an introduction to glass blowing workshop.

Probably the most difficult object I've shot to date so I tried a variety of lighting options.

The object is 2 1/2" wide, 2 1/2" high and 1 1/4" deep.

28" light tent with 26w CF top light...



Same tent, no lights except cloudy day light....



Light table....



Gray backdrop and back light....



Cheers, Don

[OldClicker]

I like #4.

#1 is my second pick. It shows the piece nicely.

#2 just doesn't show it off enough.

#3, the imperfections look like imperfections.

#4, the glass shines and the imperfections look dazzling.

TF

[Don Kondra]

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Appreciate it.

Cheers, Don

[JTcooper]

Don, I like #3 with the greg background with one suggestion though, please moving your lite source further back away from what you are bouncing it to. that way your highlight would be softer without any hard edge.

hope this help and have fun,

[Don Kondra]

Uh, the third picture is shot on a light table, the light is under the object...the back drop is banner paper.

A 26w CF with a paper towel diffuser.....

I can't get the light any farther away but I could try a thicker diffuser or thicker paper ?

Actually, I probably won't bother fine tuning the light table shot, the last shot is IMHO quite a bit better.

This is a quick air brush by a friend, Grant Kernan of AK Photo's..



Cheers, Don

[WsW-WYATT-EARP]

check this article out ...

http://www.popphoto.com/lighting/4851/master-glass.html

[Don Kondra]

Some good general information in that article.

But, because of the shape of this piece, side lighting didn't work at all...

Thanks,

Cheers, Don

[WsW-WYATT-EARP]

they start with side lighting and then use large reflectors to bring more light into it ...

I think it needs to be on something "glass" or something to give a reflection ...

not sure if you seen this in the article - one of the picture captions ...

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL: For clear glass against black (1), create white highlights along the subject's edges by using large light sources. A straight shot (2) can be deadly.

[Don Kondra]

they start with side lighting and then use large reflectors to bring more light into it ...

I think it needs to be on something "glass" or something to give a reflection ...

not sure if you seen this in the article - one of the picture captions ...

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL: For clear glass against black (1), create white highlights along the subject's edges by using large light sources. A straight shot (2) can be deadly.

I read the article and repeat, side lighting and/or more light didn't work because of the shape of this piece.

One formula does not work for all shapes.

Cheers, Don