Photographing Stained Glass Windows
Jun 2, 2018 08:13:27 #
I would like to photograph the stained glass windows at my church. My question is how to properly evaluate the color temperature. My theory is to go outside and shoot a gray card in the light that is falling on the windows. Then go inside and take the photos for the windows in that light (in raw, of course). Then in LR use the settings to balance for the gray card shot to adjust for the shots of the windows. Using the gray card inside the sanctuary would represent the color temperature of the light in the room, not that of the light providing the main illumination for the windows. Any thoughts?
Jun 2, 2018 08:19:49 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
I would go in the church on a bright day, set your white balance to auto and shoot.
Jun 2, 2018 08:20:03 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
tn_engineer wrote:
I would like to photograph the stained glass windo... (show quote)
I would use daylight balance.
Jun 2, 2018 08:20:44 #
Buy a color Che ker if you don't have one . Then shoot test shots I side where the light you are using inside is what is exposing the camera. The outside color temperature has nothing to do with the inside color temperature.
Jun 2, 2018 08:22:58 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
correct your color if need be with your software especially if you shoot in RAW.
Jun 2, 2018 08:26:49 #
Picture Taker wrote:
correct your color if need be with your software especially if you shoot in RAW.
That's what I'd to. Simplest.
If I couldn't use RAW, I'd set it for whatever is outside, sun, cloudy, etc.
Jun 2, 2018 08:32:37 #
petercbrandt
Loc: New York City, Manhattan
Whether you shoot on an overcast or a sunny day, your color choice on the camera will do the job. I assume you are shooting from inside, out. Choose a section of the glass and look at it to study it, be it a blue or yellow or red, burn it into your memory, then print your image the way you remember that chosen color, everything will fall into place. Choice of color is very personal and there is no right or wrong. This was demonstrated to me when I had my catarack operation, they do one eye at a time. After the first eye you get a chance to see the world with 2 different lenses, so which one was right, Old lens or New lens?
Jun 2, 2018 08:37:00 #
An overcast day is probably safer than a sunny day. Sun on stained glass usually results in some bright areas and shadows which impact the image. Overcast skies are softer light. You can do it on a sunny day if the window is on the shady side but if you're doing all the windows some of them will be in the sun.
Jun 2, 2018 08:37:04 #
Rick Bailey
Loc: Fayetteville Arkansas
What is your you light source? If is daylight, use that setting. If is some light on a pole at night, use your gray card to adjust for that. Be aware that if you are using light from some outside flood like mercury or low pressure sodium, you will not get a full spectrum. Have you thought about using strobes?
Jun 2, 2018 08:37:52 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
Go do it and learn. What did the "Film" cost you? It use to cost us for film and time to see what we did in the film days now it's instant.
You will be a better photographer to work it out your self, that's learning
You will be a better photographer to work it out your self, that's learning
Jun 2, 2018 08:41:07 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
Take a set with each setting and see what you have. Keep the ones you like and now you know the difference if noticeable or not.
Jun 2, 2018 08:45:07 #
Jun 2, 2018 08:53:15 #
DirtFarmer wrote:
An overcast day is probably safer than a sunny day. Sun on stained glass usually results in some bright areas and shadows which impact the image. Overcast skies are softer light. You can do it on a sunny day if the window is on the shady side but if you're doing all the windows some of them will be in the sun.
What about shooting early and late and shoot the windows on the shady side of the church. Then you only get reflected light on the windows and no harsh contrast of shadows.
Jun 2, 2018 09:02:27 #
tn_engineer wrote:
I would like to photograph the stained glass windo... (show quote)
Yes, shoot during the day time!
Daylight or AWB, makes little difference the colors via the colored glass are an abstraction. There really is no precise color temperature. No correct answer. But you do want a full "spectrum" of colors recorded, deep Red thru Violet in nice hues. Shoot Raw and you can adjust it to where you like it. You could probably drive yourself nuts as there is no correct WB here. And so infinite variations. Personally I would use ACR via Ps or use Lr.
If you want to include some of the interior of the church you might then try to determine a correct WB for the interior's lighting to make the wood look right. That might be what you were thinking originally?
Jun 2, 2018 09:02:47 #
I've had no problem just shooting stained glass. No use making a big deal out of it.
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