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HOW DO I CAPTURE WHAT I SEE
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Sep 9, 2019 17:21:19   #
cdesigns123
 
I'm photographing an item on a table (shoebox size) with white background. I'm using studio lights. I'd like to take a picture of what I see but comes out off white to grey unless I crank up the exposure. I can always fix in post with lightroom but I'm seeking advice from the experience in this group. How do you approach this basic situation. I'm shooting with a Sony A6400. I have a variety of lenses.

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Sep 9, 2019 17:25:15   #
margaretnewell
 
Do a "custom" white balance. Check your camera manual as to how to do it.

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Sep 9, 2019 17:26:07   #
pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs
 
cdesigns123 wrote:
I'm photographing an item on a table (shoebox size) with white background. I'm using studio lights. I'd like to take a picture of what I see but comes out off white to grey unless I crank up the exposure. I can always fix in post with lightroom but I'm seeking advice from the experience in this group. How do you approach this basic situation. I'm shooting with a Sony A6400. I have a variety of lenses.


Please post a downloadable image it would assist the tech experts here.

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Sep 9, 2019 17:42:16   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
cdesigns123 wrote:
I'm photographing an item on a table (shoebox size) with white background. I'm using studio lights. I'd like to take a picture of what I see but comes out off white to grey unless I crank up the exposure. I can always fix in post with lightroom but I'm seeking advice from the experience in this group. How do you approach this basic situation. I'm shooting with a Sony A6400. I have a variety of lenses.


Welcome to the forum. Sounds like an exposure problem. Your metering system in your cmera thinks it is too bright and trys to convert it to 18 percent grey. Check how to adjust exposure plus or minus.

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Sep 9, 2019 20:45:17   #
bleirer
 
I'm guessing the studio lights on the white background with a white subject is causing the meter to try to bring everything to a "middle" value. You are right to increase the exposure to brighten the white. This is a good summary. Your case is covered near the bottom. https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-metering.htm here's another one https://photographylife.com/iso-shutter-speed-and-aperture-for-beginners

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Sep 9, 2019 21:37:21   #
cdesigns123
 
Thank you all. Your input gives me great information to work with. Love this forum. :)

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Sep 9, 2019 21:48:56   #
E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
 
It is really impossible to accurately and effectively troubleshoot any issue without seeing an example of the image in question. Shooting any kind of product and obtaining the right color, contrast and tone has much to do with lighting as well as exposure. It is possible that the camera's metering system was somehow "fooled" by a white subject and there could be a white balance problems as well, however, without seeing the image accompanied by the exposure data, it can be an endless guessing game.

I frequently shoot white products so if you post your shots, tell me how you lighted and exposed, I can likely solve your problem.

Looking forward to you photographs.

Ed



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Sep 10, 2019 00:01:30   #
Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal
 
The other problem is that your brain post processes what your eyes sent to it.
It could have added different color values to the image than were there.
I have to always color grade my in-woods photos to try and simulate what I think I remember I saw.

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Sep 10, 2019 02:51:20   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
cdesigns123 wrote:
I'm photographing an item on a table (shoebox size) with white background. I'm using studio lights. I'd like to take a picture of what I see but comes out off white to grey unless I crank up the exposure. I can always fix in post with lightroom but I'm seeking advice from the experience in this group. How do you approach this basic situation. I'm shooting with a Sony A6400. I have a variety of lenses.


The answer is in your post - crank up the exposure.

I usually set my exposure by measuring the highlights using the camera's meter in spotmeter mode, and adding up to 2 stops additional exposure. The result is a bright image with no blown highlights.

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Sep 10, 2019 07:22:06   #
jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419
 
cdesigns123 wrote:
I'm photographing an item on a table (shoebox size) with white background. I'm using studio lights. I'd like to take a picture of what I see but comes out off white to grey unless I crank up the exposure. I can always fix in post with lightroom but I'm seeking advice from the experience in this group. How do you approach this basic situation. I'm shooting with a Sony A6400. I have a variety of lenses.

When your background is predominantly white, the camera will assume it is middle grey and underexpose. Since you are shooting under controlled lighting conditions, why not use manual mode?

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Sep 10, 2019 07:26:37   #
khorinek
 
I use K (kelvins) white balance and adjust as needed. Also you may need to use continuous lighting, that way you get what you see, as apposed to a strobe.

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Sep 10, 2019 08:12:34   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
cdesigns123 wrote:
I'm photographing an item on a table (shoebox size) with white background. I'm using studio lights. I'd like to take a picture of what I see but comes out off white to grey unless I crank up the exposure. I can always fix in post with lightroom but I'm seeking advice from the experience in this group. How do you approach this basic situation. I'm shooting with a Sony A6400. I have a variety of lenses.


Use MANUAL, keep checking your results until you get what you want.
Also, you may want to set your white balance manually, check your owners manual for this.

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Sep 10, 2019 08:15:42   #
cdesigns123
 
I am about to put these suggestions to task. I need to learn the nuisances of the camera setup. Everything is controlled so, with your suggestions and input I should be able to master a consistent output. I'll post results to the group. Thank you.

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Sep 10, 2019 08:15:44   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
margaretnewell wrote:
Do a "custom" white balance. Check your camera manual as to how to do it.


Good idea. Also, there's nothing wrong with making adjustments afterwards.

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Sep 10, 2019 08:49:12   #
Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida
 
This is why I love this Forum so much.....everyone jumps in and nails it down quickly and efficiently and in a kind and gracious manner. Cool Heads Prevail .......hopefully (depends ?)

I really enjoyed this session a lot . Thanks guys.

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