Small Object Still Life

benjikan · 07-05-2009, 04:11 PM

I am re-posting this response to a user for those wanting to try small object still life photography.

Buy a piece of white plexiglass. A 1x1 yard panel will suffice. Set it up on a couple of work table leg stands, one at least 2 feet taller (higher) as the rear support. It will be a mini cyclo curved surface still life set up. Clamp the plexiglass to it. Place a flash below and slightly behind the ring at around 45 degrees. It should be at least 1.5 - 2' below the plexiglss surface. The flash is actually shooting up at you. Now place two small 6" square white hard cardboard reflectors on either side facing down and perpendicular to the angle of the light below to kick the light back in to it. Make a couple of wire supports so they can lean in to the object. Do not meter the light on the plexiglass, but the reflected light hitting the ring. You can also use hot lights for this as well. You can move the reflectors around till you get the highlight's that you like.

Here are some samples and a set up illustration.

Still Life set up.jpg photo - Benjamin Kanarek photos at pbase.com

http://www.pbase.com/benjikan/image/78923696

http://www.benjaminkanarekblog.com/?p=535

mooimeisie · 07-05-2009, 04:28 PM

Thank you for posting this, with links to pictures. It will definately something I will try once summer has past and we're into our 8 months of winter.

07-05-2009, 04:11 PM	#1
benjikan I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Paris, France Posts: 336 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Small Object Still Life I am re-posting this response to a user for those wanting to try small object still life photography. Buy a piece of white plexiglass. A 1x1 yard panel will suffice. Set it up on a couple of work table leg stands, one at least 2 feet taller (higher) as the rear support. It will be a mini cyclo curved surface still life set up. Clamp the plexiglass to it. Place a flash below and slightly behind the ring at around 45 degrees. It should be at least 1.5 - 2' below the plexiglss surface. The flash is actually shooting up at you. Now place two small 6" square white hard cardboard reflectors on either side facing down and perpendicular to the angle of the light below to kick the light back in to it. Make a couple of wire supports so they can lean in to the object. Do not meter the light on the plexiglass, but the reflected light hitting the ring. You can also use hot lights for this as well. You can move the reflectors around till you get the highlight's that you like. Here are some samples and a set up illustration. Still Life set up.jpg photo - Benjamin Kanarek photos at pbase.com http://www.pbase.com/benjikan/image/78923696 http://www.benjaminkanarekblog.com/?p=535 __________________ http://www.benjaminkanarekblog.com/ http://www.benjaminkanarek.com/ http://www.pbase.com/benjikan/publishedworks http://www.pressbook.com/homebook.as...&owner_id=5144 http://www.olaphoto.com Last edited by benjikan; 07-05-2009 at 04:41 PM.

07-05-2009, 04:28 PM	#2
mooimeisie I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 615 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Thank you for posting this, with links to pictures. It will definately something I will try once summer has past and we're into our 8 months of winter. __________________ C&C always welcome and appreciated. Sony A350 and Cannon SD790 P&S My Flickr My Gallery

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