Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/10/02

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Help on lighting
From: "Don Dory" <dorysrus@mindspring.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 21:32:27 -0400
References: <200210021329.GAA04738@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> <003c01c26a76$52af4aa0$21880043@pcr>

Small shiny objects are indeed difficult to light well.

First, does she want them in some environment or can they be on a bland
background?  If a bland background is acceptable find some dark velvet, a
piece of slate, or some black turtle beans.  All of those work well at
absorbing light and also let you position your subject where you want it.

If your friend has an environment in mind then some wax or some such is in
order to hold the beads where you want them.  If you are in a large city
then find the pro house in town and find out who carries all the odds and
ends that food stylists and catalogue houses use. There is a wax that works
great and doesn't stay on your subject.

Assuming you have the lens, bellows, close up lens, extension tubes, and etc
to get past life-size then you next need to determine what your client
expects, specifically what in the way of highlights are acceptable.  If no
highlight is wanted then you will need to make a tent of white fabric to
place over the beads.  If you have a sturdy tripod and access to a window
then a flash isn't needed.  Just rotate until the light looks good, stop
well down to maybe F11 or perhaps F16 and count as many seconds as you need.
Alternatively, use a flash well away from the tent to give a broad swath of
light, just like the window.  If you are not TTL then be aware of light loss
through the lens and to the tent.

If a highlight is OK then rig a softbox out of foamcore and Roscoe diffusion
material to provide the kind of highlight you client wants.  Your box
doesn't have to be big, just the size of the set.  To accent the highlight
use pieces of black paper or blackened foamcore in select locations to hold
back reflections on the off side of the object.

Easy as pie, and this is one occasion where a digital of a camera that can
pull Polaroid's is invaluable.

If you have any questions don't be afraid to email

Don
dorysrus@mindspring.com

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In reply to: Message from "Aram Langhans" <langhans@yakima-wa.com> ([Leica] Help on lighting)