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02/29/2004 05:05:44 PM · #1 |
I have been trying to take a decent pic of this rather pretty egg but no matter what I do I can't seem to get a pure white background. It was placed on white card and I've tried all the auto wb settings to no avail (I've even been lighting it with a 500w work lamp). Any tips would be most apreciated (don't bother about the fact the egg isn't level)
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02/29/2004 05:10:06 PM · #2 |
I think you just need to bring the lamp closer, to make the light on the card brighter. The trouble with that though is that the egg will start to become over-exposed. You could try turning to spot metering if your camera allows it, and meter with then lamp further away, then bring it in closer.
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02/29/2004 05:12:53 PM · #3 |
With a white subject I think you might actually be better choosing a non-white background anyway...
If you do want white, I would suggest a separate light source for the background angled from the side to illuminate the card without interfering with the light you've set up for the egg.
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02/29/2004 05:18:35 PM · #4 |
The basic problem isn't your lighting, or your white balance.
You are under exposing the subject. No matter how much light you throw in there, if you always use the metered exposure, this mostly white subject will come out grey. Look at your camera settings to learn how to do exposure compensation, and add about +1 or +1.5 EV to the metered value.
Meters treat everything as a mid grey - when it is all white, you need to adjust - not add more light.
White balance adjusts the overall tone of the scene - from a cool blueish white through to the orangy lights you have in side a house - it has nothing much to do with getting a good exposure.
Message edited by author 2004-02-29 17:19:19. |
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02/29/2004 05:21:43 PM · #5 |
You could try a light tent with two external flashes placed outside the tent either side of the camera and 90degrees to right and left & and at higher angle ~ experimentation required to get the set up just right.
> O <
^
(Oh, dear my ^ does not want to show in the right position.)
Hope my little attempted graphic shows what I mean the < & > are the lights; the ^ is the camera and the 0 is the tent within which is the egg.
The idea is to create an intense but very diffuse light over & within the whole tent thus ensuring even illumination of the egg.
I hope that makes sense.
As for the tent, they are made commercially, but a good white linen should suffice.
The pro's use, with the appropriate lighting what is called an infinity curve to ensure that the background does not show up in the image.
:~)
PS Sorry just re-read that you only have a 500W worklamp. The tent method should still work but you might need the second lamp.
HTH
Message edited by author 2004-02-29 17:23:38. |
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02/29/2004 05:23:08 PM · #6 |
| I actually think using a black or very dark green would do this picture more justice. It will being out depth in your photo and egg. |
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02/29/2004 05:23:33 PM · #7 |
I would try and black background to make the colours on the egg stand out.
Blimey! we must have posted that at the same time!! Great minds etc...!!
Message edited by author 2004-02-29 17:24:04.
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02/29/2004 05:26:58 PM · #8 |
| Kavey has the best solution. You need to overexpose the background by using some different light sources on it. Then light the egg to bring out the contour and features you want. When you have all your lights in place, spot meter on the background and make sure it's about 2 stops lighter than the egg. Then spot meter on the egg to expose. |
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02/29/2004 05:32:07 PM · #9 |
Something else to try (in manual mode):
- Use custom white balance on the white background
- Spot meter on the background and use exposure compensation of about +1.5
- Check the histogram after taking the picture to see the balance of exposure
- Adjust the exposure compensation if necessary and take another shot
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02/29/2004 05:41:14 PM · #10 |
| Thanks for so many replies and so quickly too. I'll have another try tomorrow and will also try a different coloured background. Maybe I'll wake up tomorrow and find we have an egg challenge ;) |
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02/29/2004 06:28:05 PM · #11 |
| Try shooting the egg ontop of a beer cap or something similar to elevate it so the light reflects underneath. |
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02/29/2004 06:31:03 PM · #12 |
Ditto to what Gordon said.
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02/29/2004 06:42:02 PM · #13 |
select the bg in photoshop and adjust the levels....
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02/29/2004 09:57:55 PM · #14 |
The dimage A1 has a custom white balance button to make this nice and easy.
The button is in front of the Focus switch on the left of the camera (which is labelled AF S C MF). The wb button is labelled with a dot over two triangles - you should be able to find it :) Fill the screen with the background, then hold this button down, and then you can save this white balance to one of three settings.
Message edited by author 2004-02-29 21:59:22.
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02/29/2004 10:23:31 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by hsteg:
select the bg in photoshop and adjust the levels.... |
This is generally what I do, mostly because I'm not that great of a photogrpher yet.
No, but really, it is underexposed. If it had a little bit more exposure, you will realize that it will make a huge difference in how much whiter the background will become.
Message edited by author 2004-02-29 22:24:41.
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