Photographing Sculpture: I have a client who wants me to photograph this piece without a busy background. I was going to use a white backdrop. Not sure about the lighting since I've...

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

I have a client who wants me to photograph this piece without a busy background. I was going to use a white backdrop. Not sure about the lighting since I've not photographed a piece like this before. The shadows would be a challenge. I may need several lights. Any advice would be useful.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

gemlenz wrote:

... I was going to use a white backdrop. Not sure about the lighting since I've not photographed a piece like this before. The shadows would be a challenge. I may need several lights. ....

dark background and multiple lights.
Might even try gells on the lights.

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

why dark background? I don't have gells

oldtigger wrote:

dark background and multiple lights.
Might even try gells on the lights.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

I don't know what you are looking. It obvious that it is a difficult item with all the twist and turns making Shadows come and go. Casting different tones. A would suggest a gray floor and back drop. Perhaps two softboxes or umbrellas with strobe. A typical studio set up. Perhaps a back light.

If you are asking for pp to remove the back ground and floor. I'm sure someone can do it. I would, but I'm on my tablet at the moment.

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

no... they want a new photo...thx for the suggestions.

Bill Houghton wrote:

I don't know what you are looking. It obvious that it is a difficult item with all the twist and turns making Shadows come and go. Casting different tones. A would suggest a gray floor and back drop. Perhaps two softboxes or umbrellas with strobe. A typical studio set up. Perhaps a back light.

If you are asking for pp to remove the back ground and floor. I'm sure some can do it. I would, but I'm on my tablet at the moment.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

gemlenz wrote:

why dark background? I don't have gells

don't know if i can explain it but white background and dark subjects make me think 'shadow graph'
Dark subjects and dark backgrounds with the light and color spinning up from the depths is dynamic.

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

I was thinking I may need to do some focus stacking with different lighting angles. I have a grey backdrop...

gemlenz wrote:

no... they want a new photo...thx for the suggestions.

MyPharo Loc: New Jersey

You can shoot the photo very early morning or just after sunset . that will almost eliminate the shadows.

Use a white or black back drop and floor base the same . will give the illusion of "floating" . and some proper lighting.

gemlenz wrote:

I have a client who wants me to photograph this piece without a busy background. I was going to use a white backdrop. Not sure about the lighting since I've not photographed a piece like this before. The shadows would be a challenge. I may need several lights. Any advice would be useful.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Gels for your flash are low cost and in a kit form. In a rush use colored cellophane wrap.
https://www.rosco.com/filters/flashpack_strobist.cfm
Rather than saying " I don't have gels" why not use google and find out? Google even works in Arizona. Do stay off of Rt 10 for a while. Shooting, but not with cameras!!

Suppression of background can be done with low ISO, Quick shutter (I use 1/400) and f-8. This combo suppress the background and further suppression can be done with the sliders in your edit program.

lsimpkins Loc: SE Pennsylvania

I would try removing the shadows like others have suggested, but I wonder if doing so will eliminate some of the depth that the work has, making it appear flatter than it really is. Just a thought.

MtnMan Loc: ID

gemlenz wrote:

I have a client who wants me to photograph this piece without a busy background. I was going to use a white backdrop. Not sure about the lighting since I've not photographed a piece like this before. The shadows would be a challenge. I may need several lights. Any advice would be useful.

You might try a variety of lighting approaches including backlight on the object or a smooth background. You might try reflected light outdoors.

MtnMan Loc: ID

MyPharo wrote:

You can shoot the photo very early morning or just after sunset . that will almost eliminate the shadows.

Use a white or black back drop and floor base the same . will give the illusion of "floating" . and some proper lighting.

Well done!

Can you provide camera settings and lighting details?

dave sproul Loc: Tucson AZ

It seems the sculpture is mobile. There are many combinations to play with, e.g., move the sculpture to an area the will provide a desirable blurry type background, move the camera to different positions, use a large aperture opening to isolate the sculpture, experiment using HDR, use various natural and flash lighting conditions, etc.

This should be a fun project. Enjoy

lloydl2 Loc: Gilbert, AZ

I like the idea of a dark background. Try and get it at least 5 feet behind the sculpture. Lighting if you want to enhance the texture light way to the sides almost parallel but with a slight overlap of the lights.

gemlenz wrote:

I have a client who wants me to photograph this piece without a busy background. I was going to use a white backdrop. Not sure about the lighting since I've not photographed a piece like this before. The shadows would be a challenge. I may need several lights. Any advice would be useful.

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

One might try painting it with light.