OBJECTS You may encounter a number of challenges when lighting your work for photography. Shape, size, materials, style, and finish can affect how the light plays with your work. We have had the opportunity to photograph a wide variety of workpieces throughout the years. Here are some guidelines for troubleshooting the most common objects you may be photographing.
FLAT Flat objects are fairly easy to light evenly. Move the diffused light or your reflector so that the white is reflected from your piece. This is a great place to start if you are having trouble lighting your work. Reminder: the flat object will not be reflecting light if it is parallel to the camera lens.
Flat Object Studies
Flat Object To light this setup, a packing foam diffuser is hung from the light and a piece of glossy card stock serves as a reflector.
SERGEJ MANAENKO
Pay close attention to what your work is reflecting—it is sometimes surprising the things it picks up! In this example, you can see the green of my t-shirt, the edges of the cardstock used as a reflector, and the “oops!” I scrawled on the cardstock for this example.
The reflectivity of your piece can also be helpful at times. Move your hand or a brightly colored object around the work until you see it reflected in a poorly lit area on your work. Place a light or reflector where your hand was to illuminate the dark space.
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