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Commercial and Industrial Photography
The cops are here!
Feb 15, 2018 12:02:14   #
A10 Loc: Southern Indiana
 
A class at our local vocational school shot still life of several items brought to us from the local police department. We were able to adjust the lights and position them where we wanted. We could also arrange the items brought in by the department. I am just learning about composition and how to highlight for the desired affect with commercial style photography. I did some PP with PS Elements but not much.


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Feb 15, 2018 16:20:52   #
Designdweeb Loc: Metro NYC & East Stroudsburg, PA
 
Good start! Different background, a little softer, add a broad fill from above that is slightly underexposed for a little more shadow detail. Maybe more angle in position of lower artifact.

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Feb 15, 2018 16:20:58   #
Designdweeb Loc: Metro NYC & East Stroudsburg, PA
 
Good start! Different background, a little softer, add a broad fill from above that is slightly underexposed for a little more shadow detail. Maybe more angle in position of lower artifact.

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Feb 15, 2018 16:21:02   #
Designdweeb Loc: Metro NYC & East Stroudsburg, PA
 
Good start! Different background, a little softer, add a broad fill from above that is slightly underexposed for a little more shadow detail. Maybe more angle in position of lower artifact.

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Feb 15, 2018 16:56:48   #
A10 Loc: Southern Indiana
 
Thanks Designdweeb for the suggestions. Shooting black on black has its challenges.
Designdweeb wrote:
Good start! Different background, a little softer, add a broad fill from above that is slightly underexposed for a little more shadow detail. Maybe more angle in position of lower artifact.

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Feb 16, 2018 13:09:37   #
E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
 
Black on black- metallic objects- lighting and exposure:

In order to properly render and define a black object or objects on a dark or black background, close attention needs to be paid to exposure and lighting. Exposure is critical to insure the is ample shadow detail to bring up the texture and detail in the dark surfaces. Lighting has to be arranged to place highlights in such a way so as to emphasize the lines or shape of the objects and provide separation between the subject and the background.

Obviously, if all the elements in the image are ":jet black" there will be no contrast, definition of the objects or texture and everything will blend together in a pool of darkness. Some of the highlight and midletones need to be in shades of gray in order to produce the gradations of tone that are needed. Black on black is a good dramatic way of illustration but it must be handled carefully.

In the image that I am going to attach the lighting consisted of a SOFT diffused light source (soft-box) suspended above and slightly behind the subject. A matte silver flat reflector provided fill and boosted shadow detail and a direct light was aimed at the lens (in the image) to provide catch-lights.

In your "cops" image age, there is insufficient exposure to illuminate the shadow areas properly and the highlights are too concentrated to render line and shape- note the "hot spot" on the helmet.

You need the light to skim across textured areas like the handle of the baton and the detail in the badge. Metallic items such as the badge requires what is called a "light field", that is, a broad diffused source of light that will reflect back toward the camera thereby minimizing harsh reflections but still accentuating detail. Although the helmet and the baton are black and the badge is brightly colored and detailed, the same light source, if directed properly will work well for both extremes.

In the other image I am going to post- the coins- you can see the difference between dark and light field lightning- The coins that appear as gold or silver are examples of LIGHT FIELD results and the coins that appear as black are in a DARK FIELD. When photographing highly reflective, polished metal or mirror-like surfaces, in effect, you are photographing a reflection of the light source- that is why it needs to be soft and broad.

In your class, is the instructor going over any of theses lighting principles and the theory of ANGLE OF INCIDENCE. That is the key to soling all kinds of reflectivity issues.

The images I have posted required very little post processing.

Please see the next reply box for the images.

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Feb 16, 2018 13:12:04   #
E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
 
Images.

Black on black.

Light field and dark field.


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Feb 16, 2018 13:39:19   #
A10 Loc: Southern Indiana
 
This was our 2nd class and he did talk some about ANGLE OF INCIDENCE. i I am slowly seeing how the light plays across the objects on the table.

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