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Re: [OM] How to take proper product pics outside (WB?)

Subject: Re: [OM] How to take proper product pics outside (WB?)
From: Chuck Norcutt <chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 04 Oct 2010 17:46:13 -0400
Uh oh!  I forgot the jewelry shots on the flat black Formica background
<http://www.chucknorcutt.com/Jewelry/>

Dr. (sometimes) Flash


On 10/4/2010 5:44 PM, Chuck Norcutt wrote:
> Hold on!  I think you're too quick to move on before fully testing what
> you've got.  I've done a fair amount of jewelry shooting with a light
> tent like this
> <http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/331829-REG/Interfit_INT297_Light_Pod_Medium_Cocoon.html>
>
> Or at least tried to.  I found this type of tent to be too restrictive
> to work in and too limited on camera angle.
>
> I find it much more comfortable and just as effective to work on an open
> table top with flash units and large diffusers much as you're doing now.
>    However, I have never used a light tent like this one
> <http://www.qflash.nl/index.php?item=foto-opnamebox-60x60x60-cm&action=article&group_id=29&aid=107&lang=NL>
> or this one
> <http://www.qflash.nl/index.php?item=opname-tent-75x75x75cm&action=article&group_id=29&aid=237&lang=NL>
>
> If I were to try it I'd go for the largest one possible for the space
> since I find it very frustrating to bump into some edge of the light
> tent and disturb the setup while trying to make adjustments.  But I
> assume you are shooting nearly straight down on your targets so be sure
> you can support the target in a way that gives you a good shot while
> also not putting you into a contorted shooting position.  As I recall
> you're going to be doing lots of this work and you need to be comfortable.
>
> If you were to use umbrellas I'd recommend that you use translucent
> "brolly boxes" which are a cross between umbrellas and soft boxes.  A
> translucent brolly box is like a shoot through umbrella except that what
> would normally be the open side of an umbrella is mostly closed off with
> a reflective panel like this
> <http://cgi.ebay.com/36-Umbrella-Softbox-Soft-Brolly-Box-Translucent-white-/250698705043?pt=Camera_Flash_Accessories&hash=item3a5ecea893>
> or from your chosen supplier Qflash.nl
> <http://www.qflash.nl/index.php?item=paraplu-softbox&action=article&group_id=17&aid=160&lang=NL>
> Unfortunately, Qflash does not specify the size.  I have a couple that
> are only about 60cm across but on ebay you can find them up to about 1.5
> meters.
>
> In your case, I think the brolly box over the regular shoot-through
> umbrella is important because your flash units are rather low power.
> The brolly box catches and reflects most of the light that would
> otherwise escape in a shoot-through configuration.  Brolly boxes are
> also available as reflective rather than translucent but I recommend
> translucent umbrellas since you can get them closer to the subject which
> produces a softer light.
>
> But whatever the light source I still suggest working on an open table
> top if you can.  The following jewelry shots were made on an open table
> in a studio.  I can't recall now if these particular ones were made with
> studio lights and softboxes or window light with a white reflector on
> the other side.  I've done some both ways.  The background is flat black
> Formica (plastic laminate used on kitchen countertops, etc.)  Visit a
> cabinet maker's shop and get scraps of your favorite colors.
>
> And don't spend more money unless you want to or until you've proven
> what you've already got won't work for you... but the brolly boxes will
> make a nice little studio setup for portrait work.  When doing portraits
> with 2 lights typically one light is about 1/2 stop (women, children,
> families) to 1 stop or more (men) brighter than the other.  So put the
> T32 in one of the brollies for the main light and a T20 in the other for
> fill light.
>
> Good luck
>
> Dr. (sometimes) Flash
>
>
>
> On 10/4/2010 4:34 AM, Olaf Greve wrote:
>> Hi again,
>>
>> Alright, a slightly quicker follow-up than I initially expected....
>>
>> In your opinion, what would be better?
>>
>> To go for two of the umbrellas shown on this page (possibly the
>> transparant one, or the "white reflecting" one):
>> http://www.qflash.nl/index.php?item=paraplu&action=page&group_id=18&lang=NL
>>
>> ...or for one of the light tents (if so, which?) shown here:
>> http://www.qflash.nl/index.php?item=product-fotografie&action=page&group_id=29&lang=NL
>>
>> Prices look very decent! For some 30 Euros I should be done.
>>
>> If there is no particular reason to prefer the one over the other, I'm
>> somewhat partial towards the lighttent, as that doesn't require
>> additional stands for the umbrellas. The advantage of the umbrellas,
>> OTOH, would be that they could also be used for taking family pictures
>> in a small home studio set-up...
>>
>> What do you guys think will be best?
>> Also: either way you suggest, can you let me know which specific
>> choice you would make from the various umbrellas and/or light tents?
>>
>> Note: the idea is to get very diffuse light, so there are no catch
>> lights visible on the (highly reflective!) brass items. In that
>> respect my git feeling says that perhaps the umbrellas are the better
>> choice, but maybe this is not so...
>> I'd certainly like to make the right choice, so I welcome any and all
>> suggestions... :P
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Olafo
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