Photographing framed pictures
Jan 27, 2013 22:01:05 #
TIC
Loc: Stone Mountain, GA
Is there a way to photograph framed pictures with glass enclosure in a way to avoid glare from the glass? What settings are recommended?
Jan 27, 2013 22:33:38 #
jdubu
Loc: San Jose, CA
I have done that exact thing with artwork framed with glass.
Set up the artwork and camera at the same height and parallel to each other.
Do it in a dark room where there isn't any stray light to cause unwanted reflection. Set 2 lights at 30 or 45 degrees to the art, one on each side. Check through the camera you have no light glare.
Use a longer lens, 70mm plus to avoid any distortion. Low iso, frame and focus your shot with whatever mode you like to get proper exposure with your lighting.
The settings are more dependent on your lighting setup than any preconceived idea of a good exposure.
Consistent lighting set up correctly and you deciding the right exposure will give you what you are asking.
Set up the artwork and camera at the same height and parallel to each other.
Do it in a dark room where there isn't any stray light to cause unwanted reflection. Set 2 lights at 30 or 45 degrees to the art, one on each side. Check through the camera you have no light glare.
Use a longer lens, 70mm plus to avoid any distortion. Low iso, frame and focus your shot with whatever mode you like to get proper exposure with your lighting.
The settings are more dependent on your lighting setup than any preconceived idea of a good exposure.
Consistent lighting set up correctly and you deciding the right exposure will give you what you are asking.
Jan 27, 2013 23:25:04 #
TIC
Loc: Stone Mountain, GA
jdubu,
thanks for your response. Any suggestions on the type of lights needed?
thanks for your response. Any suggestions on the type of lights needed?
Jan 28, 2013 01:44:33 #
Flash is fine but you'll need two heads. One thing to watch out for is your reflection in the glass if you stand behind the camera.
Use some kind of remote release. I usually drape a black cloth over the camera and tripod as they too can appear in the glass
as reflections.
Use some kind of remote release. I usually drape a black cloth over the camera and tripod as they too can appear in the glass
as reflections.
Jan 28, 2013 07:47:08 #
Linear polarising filters over the lights and one at 90degrees offset over the lens. This will improve the colour as well as cutting down glare and reflections. A sheet of matt black card with a hole for the lens helps as well. Use a longish focal length lens - 105 is ideal.
Jan 28, 2013 12:47:32 #
Radioman
Loc: Ontario Canada
TIC wrote:
Is there a way to photograph framed pictures with glass enclosure in a way to avoid glare from the glass? What settings are recommended?
*********
You have a lot of good advice for when you can set the conditions to take the photo, however if you have to take the photograph with the pictures in situ -- with available lighting -- there is the danger of you seeing yourself and the camera reflected in the glass. One way of avoiding this is to move to one side so that you are not in the reflection and take the photograph - then use a program such as Photoshop to restore the perspective. If you use a flash on the camera, the reflection off the glass may be seen in the picture. A remote flash can put this reflection where it cannot be seen by the camera.
One last point - Include a gray-card or even a white sheet of paper in one of the photos so you can set the colour temperature and keep the painting ( or picture) colours correct.
Jan 28, 2013 13:18:32 #
TIC wrote:
Is there a way to photograph framed pictures with glass enclosure in a way to avoid glare from the glass? What settings are recommended?
TIC, all these answers are good ... but ... by using a black cloth with a hole cut in the center for the lens, you will eliminate the problem. The glass will always reflect, so let it reflect black. Easy solution as long as you still use two lights and keep the camera back (sensor) parallel to the artwork. The polarizing filter is okay ... if ... your lights are polarized. Remember that if you have any metallic material in your artwork, such as gold or silver, the polarizing filter will make it appear black. Good luck, J. Goffe
Jan 28, 2013 18:17:01 #
Not to stray from original question but, having the choice, would it be more advantageous to take out the picture and "scan" the image?
Jan 28, 2013 20:44:55 #
Take the photo with the camera off to one side (30-45 degrees), then use Photoshop perspective crop to square up the picture.
Jan 29, 2013 00:03:14 #
Jan 30, 2013 02:46:57 #
Kinopless wrote:
Flash is fine but you'll need two heads. One thing to watch out for is your reflection in the glass if you stand behind the camera.
Use some kind of remote release. I usually drape a black cloth over the camera and tripod as they too can appear in the glass
as reflections.
Use some kind of remote release. I usually drape a black cloth over the camera and tripod as they too can appear in the glass
as reflections.
If you have problems with hot spots showing up from the light source put a CPL on the lens and polarizing film over the light source. Adjust with test shots. This is called Cross Polarization
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