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Glass experiment


Glass experiment
Information sur la photo
Copyright: Jens Schroder (HeadlessGuy) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 170 W: 97 N: 442] (2149)
Genre: Lieux
Média: Couleur
Date de prise de vue: 2008-03-06
Catégories: Oeuvres d'art, Expérimental, Macro
Appareil photographique: Canon 40D, Canon 100mm F2.8 Macro USM
Exposition: f/13.0, 1/60 secondes
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Versions: version originale, Workshop
Thème(s): Friday theme 2008/03/07 "Reflection" [view contributor(s)]
Date de soumission: 2008-03-06 8:07
Vue: 619
Points: 22
[Ligne directrice - Note] Note du photographe
I was talking to a fellow TL member recently and discussed approaches for photographing glass and other objects with highly reflective surfaces.

I decided to do an experiment of my own and I found that glass objects are just as difficult to photograph as they are said to be.
I wanted to try and photograph a transparent glass object on with a black background.

I'm not particularly happy with the result as a photograph but I'm sure the experiment will help me next time I decide to take on a subject with reflective surface.

I actually didn't want to upload it but thought that there might be others who would be interested in this little experiment.

I took a bottle of my wifes perfume and placed it on a piece of black foamcore with a black velvet background.
I used two strobes, one from each side flagged heavily to avoid the light to spill onto the black foamcore and the background.
I cut out a small piece of white polystyrene in the shape of the bottle and placed it about 15 cm behind the bottle.
The photo is converted from RAW and all I did in photoshop was remove the worst of the dust specles. I know I didn't get them all but I just couldn't be bother with the tedious work for the sake of an experiment.

Here's what I learned:
- Lighting highly reflective objects is difficult. When these objects has many curves it is even more difficult
- Positioning is difficult as it has to be very precise. If you look at the white reflection at the bottom of the bottle you'll see that its bigger on the right side than the left side.
- Dust is everywhere. It seems that no matter how much effort you spent polishing the glass object and trying to remove dust from the ground surface and background there will always be some when you blow it up on your computer.
- Polystyrene seems to reflect its contour. At least thats what I think causes the weird texture in the bottle.

I've uploaded a workshop without the small polystyrene cutout. Have a look. I'd like to know which one you like better.

I appreciate any comments as to how to deal with this kind of subject.

Cheers,
Jens
harpya, PierreFrigon, lisapw1, Silke, jean11-3, Refugee trouve(nt) cette note utile
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Discussions
Enchaînement de réflexionsInitiateur de la discussion Messages Modifié
A harpya: Thanks Sergio!HeadlessGuy 1 03-06 17:43
A PierreFrigon: Thanks PierreHeadlessGuy 1 03-06 17:42
A Helkoryo: Thanks HelenHeadlessGuy 1 03-06 17:41
A ben-u-ron: ThanksHeadlessGuy 1 03-06 17:33
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Critiques [Translate]

Very interesting experiment and very nice results. I like it!

Hello Jens

I like his post
I like glasses of perfumes.
I always seek the most detailed
with beautiful colors and with prominences in some thing in him.
Congratulations for the beautiful look, I adored this green one!
Do I adore perfumes, which is the name of the perfume?
Congratulations !

Sérgio

Did you try with a white background?
I find you lose to much details on the edges of the bottle it being dark green.
I think with a brighter BG, the bottle would be mode defined.
Still a very nice experiment.
Pierre

Hi Jens,
First and foremost, I have to thank you for giving us the link to the useful site (www.gballard.net).

Given the same subject, I think I am chasing into a shot that gives me the result like the one posted as Original Version. I like the clarity of the glass surface, and the backlit that helps to make the subject stands out well. IMHO.

Great note to go with this shot. Thank you very much for sharing.

Regards,
Ramdan.

Great shot Jens... nice detail and colour. Maybe i wouldn't have cropped quite so tightly.

Regards Mark :)

Hi Jens, Thanks for the lesson! This certainly helps with understanding the process. I now see exactly what you mean with the white cutout.

I think this is a terrific result and appreciate your time and effort that went into taking the photo.

I think it's very impressive with it's glow like lighting! The sharp lines on the bottle are amazing.

Again, thank you for the lesson.

Lisa

A "Dior" parfum...my favourite ;) isn't it?

Very interesting result...simple and well done!

Cheers,
Carla

Hello Jens

Firstly many thanks for joining the theme this week and for sharing the details of your experiment here. As I have mentioned in a previous critique of your work I am in no way qualified nor do I have an in depth knowledge of photography so when I critique I kind of shoot from the hip and give my gut feeling.

I think the idea here was excellent and have no doubt I will be trying this style at some stage. I think the main image struggles a little with the lumps and markings on the polystyrne at the top. If you could have used some white card cut to that size the resulting view through the glass would have been cleaner. That way you would stil have been able to shoot against the black cloth. Although I have to agree with others and say that a lighter backdrop might be more condusive to the green glass. So in all honesty here I actually think I prefer the workshop in this instance. Although we cannot see so much the view available is clearer and sharper. I wonder if it would be possible to have lit the workshop image from below/behind in some way to show the glass more?

OK hope all that made sense

TFS regards Helen

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2847 W: 263 N: 5947] (23588)
  • [2008-03-07 5:47]

You're right
Glass is notoriously difficult to photograph. (Gemstones come in a close second.) I tried it out with "Crown Royal" and found the trick. In that case, I focused on the label (which you do not have here) and used a combination of lighting techniques - far from ideal, but a start toward better things.
I tried a similar device for an as yet unposted image. I draped a thread over the glass and focused on that. Then I switched from autofocus to manual, leaving the camera and lens as is. I removed the thread, stepped back and clicked the shutter.
For lighting, I put my flash on a cable and held it behind the subject at about 11:00. That gave me lighting from the back and gave the glass a lovely glow.

Now -- as to yours: I do like the glow of the glass. The magnified texture of the polystyrene is a bit annoying. the backlighting is my way of getting around that.

Re points: I either give 2 or zero (hate to draw attention to myself with 1, because people always look to see who gave only one:D). You made a really strong effort here, included superb notes. It's worth full marks
TFS
silke

Hello Jens,you have started an interesting discussion which has proved to be very informative and useful.I think that I would have used a lighter coloured bg for this lovely dark green bottle, but it was an interesting experiment using the white polystyrene.
The closeness of the bottle in the composition was an excellent idea;I must try this with some of my pieces.
Tfs, regards Jean.

Certainly more definition with the poly Jens and the texture doesn't bother me. Dust motes will always accumulate on glass especially when it has been handled. Quite a few specks and time consuming but the only solution would have been to clone them out. If the photo had been taken using ambient light the shapes at the bottom of the bottle may have been just the same, as it is they appear to be normal shadows. With my point and shoot not something I would even think about so I admire those who come up with shots such as this. Nice job,
David

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