The following is a direct copy and has been Pasted in for future reference from the Art of Photography coursework PDF Doc. (pasted in Maroon)
4 – 10 photographs
Objects with surfaces that reflect brightly, such as anything of chrome or silver, are a special lighting problem. There are ways of dealing with them that make such a remarkable difference to a photograph that this is a very rewarding exercise to do. You will need some large sheets of tracing paper; the quantity depends on the size of your subject.
First, find an object that is so shiny that you can see your face in it. Choose an object that you can lay flat on the floor and photograph from above. Make sure that it is not too large to fit into the viewfinder frame when the camera is on a tripod (which you will definitely need). Choose a simple background; if you want black, then black velvet is better than black card or paper. Set up the object, camera and a light positioned close to the camera. Through the viewfinder, you should be able to see how unsatisfactory the effect is. Take a photograph for reference.
Roll the tracing paper in the shape of a long cone so that the wide end will sit around the object (but out of view), and so that it tapers upwards to the small end, which should just surround the lens. Ideally, the length of this cone should be exactly the distance from the camera to your subject. Tape or staple it together and trim off the excess with a pair of scissors.
Now see what a difference this makes. Take a second photograph. Experiment, if you like, with a light in different positions and at different distances. Also try changing the angle of the object slightly.
Depending on your choice of object, you may have some difficulty in losing the reflection of the camera lens completely. This is one of the things that makes a rounded shiny surface, like that of a kettle or bowl, so difficult. Even if you turn the object, the reflection will still be there. Almost the only way of solving this last remaining problem is with composition and by placing another object in front of the reflection to hide it.
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Equipment
Nikon D4
24/70 – f2.8 lens
Tripod
Black Velvet Background
Tracing Paper
Method & Approach
In this exercise I first set up the Black Velvet Background then roughly positioned the larger of the chrome items to achieve a rough bearing of size. I then positioned the camera and tripod assembly and proceeded to adjust the necessary tripod height. My next task was to make the conical reflection filter from the recently purchased tracing paper and after obtaining the right upper and lower diameters I then stapled the shape together. Finally I cut the top and bottom edges to achieve a conical shape with parallel ends.
Please see pictures and captions below.
Note – all pictures have been compressed hence there might be a quality reduction when enlarging.
Picture 1 – Kitchen Multi Measure
Picture 2 – Kitchen Multi Measure
Picture 1 – Details
Camera Nikon D4 (camera positioned overhead on a tripod)
Speed 1/45th second
Aperture f4.8
ISO 400
White Balance Setting Daylight (5500°K)
Lens 24/70 f2.8
Focal Length 60 mm
Picture 2 – Details
Camera Nikon D4 (camera positioned overhead on a tripod)
Speed 1/45th second
Aperture f4.8
ISO 400
White Balance Setting Daylight (5500°K)
Lens 24/70 f2.8
Focal Length 60 mm
Comments
The kitchen multi measure shown in pictures one and two are both identical, the only difference is picture one was taken without the conical reflection filter and picture two included the filter. Although the reflections have been removed from picture 2 the effect of using the reflection filter has introduced a slight colour change but not enough to deter the viewer from thinking the surface finish is not of chrome plate.
Picture 3 – Chromed Spanners
Picture 4 – Chromed Spanners
Picture 3 – Details
Camera Nikon D4 (camera positioned overhead on a tripod)
Speed 1/45th second
Aperture f5.6
ISO 400
White Balance Setting Daylight (5500°K)
Lens 24/70 f2.8
Focal Length 60 mm
Picture 4 – Details
Camera Nikon D4 (camera positioned overhead on a tripod)
Speed 1/45th second
Aperture f5.6
ISO 400
White Balance Setting Daylight (5500°K)
Lens 24/70 f2.8
Focal Length 60 mm
Comments
The chromed spanners shown in pictures three and four are both identical, the only difference is picture three was taken without the conical reflection filter and picture four included the filter. Although the reflections have been removed from picture four the effect of using the reflection filter has introduced a slight colour change but not enough to deter the viewer from thinking the surface finish is not of chrome plate.
Picture 5 – Polished Spoons
Picture 6 – Polished Spoons
Picture 5 – Details
Camera Nikon D4 (camera positioned overhead on a tripod)
Speed 1/45th second
Aperture f4.8
ISO 400
White Balance Setting Daylight (5500°K)
Lens 24/70 f2.8
Focal Length 60 mm
Picture 6 – Details
Camera Nikon D4 (camera positioned overhead on a tripod)
Speed 1/45th second
Aperture f4.8
ISO 400
White Balance Setting Daylight (5500°K)
Lens 24/70 f2.8
Focal Length 60 mm
Comments
The polished spoons shown in pictures five and six are both identical, the only difference is picture five was taken without the conical reflection filter and picture six included the filter. Although the reflections have been removed from picture six the effect of using the reflection filter has introduced a slight colour change but not enough to deter the viewer from thinking the surface finish is not highly polished.
Picture 7 – Polished Spoons (edited)
Picture 7 – Details
Camera Nikon D4 (camera positioned overhead on a tripod)
Speed 1/45th second
Aperture f4.8
ISO 400
White Balance Setting Daylight (5500°K)
Lens 24/70 f2.8
Focal Length 60 mm
Comments
Picture seven is a modified version of picture six where I have removed the camera and lens reflection using Photoshop.
What have I learnt from this exercise
I have enjoyed this exercise and with it learnt something new. I have never heard of using tracing paper as a reflection filter before but utilising such a simple cost effective material really works.
Thoughts and Reflection
This will be one of those remedies that sits in the back of my mind for ages as its not the sort of thing you use everyday but should I need a cheap and cost effective device to cater for reflections, this will be my amongst my first thoughts.
stingray493 