Photographing Artwork on Aluminum

[jdylan423]

I am trying to photograph my artwork that is 32" x 48" and is on Aluminum Sheets. Reflections and hot spots are a big issue. I would love some ideas on proper lighting setups in order to make this work so lighting it even without hotspots. Thanks

 

[dxqcanada1]

What are you currently using for lighting ?

Got a sample image ?

 

[jdylan423]

I have softboxes which I haven't tried yet. I can also bring outside. That is all i have.

 

[bazooka]

It kind of depends on how scrunched up/wrinkled it is. Sample images would be nice.

 

[KmH]

You will need to be familiar with the 'family of angles' that lighting produces.

An often recommend resource is Light Science and Magic, Fourth Edition: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting

It's a lot like shooting pool.

 

[jdylan423]

I will be shooting it with my nikon d7000 with a 50mm lens. The piece is on aluminum composite sheet metal so it is flat. Here is a link to the image taken with my cell.

 

[dxqcanada1]

Ok, point out the reflections (as we cannot see your actual artwork).

 

[unpopular]

Ok. There is a book published by Focal Press and written by Fil Hunter et. al. called "Light Science and Magic" that covers this exact topic. I need to buy this book myself. I looked through it at the Library, and is is THE BOOK TO HAVE.

So stop reading now, and buy it. Here is the link:

Focal Press: Light Science and Magic 4/e, Fourth Edition - Book

Basically what the issue is that the lights bounce off the artwork and directly into the camera. A soft box will help, but contrast will remain a problem. What you need to do is move the angle of the light lower such that the specular reflections do not bounce into the FOV of the lens, though the diffuse reflections remain to illuminate the frame.

The book I recommended has a tutorial on this exact scenario or photographing highly specular flat subjects "straight on".