[Leica] Help with studio lighting: PAW 7

[firkin at ncable.net.au (Alastair Firkin)]

Thanks Don,
I can't say I have any sort of lighting "set-up" really. I use the 
light from the myriad of windows, reflect some with paper and have 
Helen stand in the direct sunshine to keep it off the material. I think 
I need to set up some sort of softer lighting if I am to "progress", 
and I'll certainly try to find a darker background as well. It is 
certainly a challenge. thanks again.

cheers
On 14/02/2005, at 1:15 AM, Don Dory wrote:

> Alistair,
> I do think the second one is more effective, although I like the
> arrangement of the first one better.  As others have commented, a 
> darker
> background in number one would work better.  Does either your sister or
> wife have a dark purple silk blouse that could be called into play?
>
> As to lighting, what you need is much softer light.  If you have a
> really large soft box, try using that from directly overhead.  If not,
> then try using a white sheet and tenting the set; use a light to shoot
> through the tent.  For highlights, use small mirrors or white cards to
> selectively bounce some additional light to those areas you want
> highlighted.  Use black cards to subtract light if necessary.
>
> Thank your sister as shooting jewelry is one of the hardest things to 
> do
> in a studio, as you noticed, lots of shiny surfaces that cause much
> difficulty.
>
> Don
> dorysrus@mindspring.com
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: lug-bounces+dorysrus=mindspring.com@leica-users.org
> [mailto:lug-bounces+dorysrus=mindspring.com@leica-users.org] On Behalf
> Of Alastair Firkin
> Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2005 3:25 AM
> To: Leica Users Group
> Subject: [Leica] Help with studio lighting: PAW 7
>
> My sister asked me to display some of her pearls, with a Japanese
> flavour. Lighting pearls was harder than I had expected. Those shiny
> surfaces bounce light everywhere, focusing the digilux 1 on a string of
> pearls was a nightmare, and keeping shadows down to a minimum was
> tricky: so how should I have done it, and any suggestions for the
> "set-up".
>
> So this week's PAW:
>
> http://gallery.leica-users.org/Alastairs-PAW-2005/Week7
>
> and alternative:
>
> http://gallery.leica-users.org/Alastairs-PAW-2005/W7alt1
>
> comments would be very helpful
>
> Cheers
>
> Alastair
>
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>
Alastair