davejann Loc: Portland Oregon

We have an antique bed which I need to photograph. This thing is huge and, therefore, must be shot where it stands. It in crammed into a smallish bedroom and the natural lighting is not the best. So, what I would like is some ideas for lighting and angles. The wood is dark and may be a bit reflective. There is also a matching dressing table with a mirror in the same room which is its own problem.

My kit should support most ideas that you folks might offer-5D mkII, wide angle lenses, and an assortment of lighting equipment.

Thanks in advance.

Dave

Sheila Loc: Arizona or New York

Can you use reflected natural light in the room? If you don't have enough reflectors a cheaper alternate could be white sheet or some white foam board. You might try bouncing flash off the ceiling if it is white. Almost any direct light will show hot spots with the surface you describe.

mafadecay Loc: Wales UK

I would definately try bounce flash if its a posibility. Failing that direct flash but you need a large light source and get it diffused. Even desklamps can light an object. Just watch your white balance if mixing light colours. I would try and opt for a 3 light setup.

You can fire the flash through a pillow case or sheet to diffuse it. Even a tissue and elastic band will be better than bare flash but not getting the light source large. To add 3d styling you want the long side of the bed to have twice the light as the foot of the bed. So the foot will be 1/2 as much as the side.

The cabinet can be sorted in PP otherwise hang a sheet over it. The mirror might help as a reflector.

mafadecay Loc: Wales UK

I did a diagram of how I would do it. Its very poor so decided not to submit but now I will just for laughs. Might cheer some people up. Drawing on a PC is not my strong point.

Dont be too hard on me.

Don Butler Loc: NW Pennsylvania

I'm also a furniture restoration guy. I would simply take the bed apart and set it up in a better location.
db

sportyman140 Loc: Juliette, GA

Have you thought about doing a panoramic shot with a smaller lens that has a better quality of detail as long as you shoot on a bright day with the light coming in windows and a light stand in corn to show dark areas? panoramic shots can capture things that you might miss also you might try bracketing for HDR shots too, to cover the shadows too.

Mark Koons Loc: Wheatland, WY

I'm a builder of art furniture and have spent a lot of time trying to photograph my own work - without really great results.

The first question is what are these pictures for? Insurance? Trying to find a buyer? Museum or gallery catalog? Interior design magazine?

One of the few things I know for sure, if you have hot spots, apply paste wax to just that area but don't buff it. That cuts the glare by 50% or more, depending just how harsh the source is.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Have you considered taking a nap and thinking this through?

Have you considered taking shots of various parts of the bed in order to give a sense of the workmanship? Then putting it together in an overall shot? By doing so you have given the viewer a close up and full appreciation of the bed.

davejann Loc: Portland Oregon

First a general but sincere "Thank you" to every one. The drawing was more than adequate and helpful. The suggestion to usse paste wax to dull out shiny places is priceless and would never be found in a textbook.

One of the problems with this shoot is that this bed, a family heirloom ended up with us since we had the only available space that could remotely accommodate it. It is over 150 years old and was designed for a time when high ceilings (even our 10' ceiling fall about 4'short of the full height). I was able to accommodate this by hanging the top medallion from the ceiling by a small hook. It leaves the medallion a bit low but, so far, no one has note=iced it.

I have only seen three like it-this one, one in another, distant branch of the family and the one in the Smithsonian, which is the least well preserved of the three.

The object of these photos will be to sell the bed and matching dressing table so that we can share the proceeds with the family. Also, my wife and I would like to have images to remind us this set that has lived with us for about 25 years

mafadecay Loc: Wales UK

Its larger than I imagined then. I can see why you are in a ponder.

Is there any chance you could maybe take some snap shots of the bed, wardrobe and room including window position etc then post on here. I am not bothered about quality of the images detail in the furniture or lighting etc as you are not selling them to us but just so that we can get a feel for what you have to work with. Maybe then somebody might spark a few more ideas that otherwise words can not explain. Just a thought.

I am liking the close up detail shots idea but still think you need an over all image to go with them. They will be easy enough to assemble in PS or similar software.

Can you fit the bed in one shot if you had room to light it? I mean can you get wide enough? Have you tried composing the shot already with your wide angle?

I recently have been shooting mirrors for a company and boy this was tricky. I am still a little unsure. I asked advice from UHH and people stepped up as usual (Thanks again). I am wondering if for you incorporating the bed in the reflection might aid the image if at all possible. For me they wanted catalogue shots with no reflection and an all white background. Otherwise I am at a loss.

frangeo Loc: Texas

Bounce falsh!

It's "bounce flash". OK I goofed.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Excellent advice. :thumbup:

sportyman140 Loc: Juliette, GA

OMG that is a beautiful suite nice job

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've seen HDR used for indoor photography. Take a look at some of these links.

Real Estate Photography
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/interiors.htm
http://www.photocentric.net/real_estate_interiors.htm
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2008/08/one-light-real-estate-photography.html
http://www.realestatephotographypodcast.com/