Photographing Granite

I've been hired to shoot some kitchens for a local remodeling firm. They want to focus on their granite installations. Granite is a tricky, reflective surface. I'm wondering if anyone has specific experience with it and could give some advice that could make for better pictures and a smoother shoot.

Also, I'm a portrait guy. I was hired because they loved my portrait work and think I'll be able to do the kitchen things well. I'm used to charging buy the hour/event. When I spoke to the person who hired me, she was taken back with the hourly quote. I later realized that this is probably because in this industry they don't charge by the hour.

Would it be wiser to charge by the photo, since they'll need full licensing of it anyway? I would like to make things as easy as possible for the client. So, more information about the best way to charge them would really be helpful too.

Thanks!

 

Walk in the park. First, huge soft diffused light (which is obvious) and angle it in a direction so that it doesn't reflect into the lens (which is also obvious).

Smaller apertures of F/8-F/13 or the sweet spot of your lens are the apertures you want. Use a tripod.

The rest sorts itself out.

 

the only though i have is that kitchens often have windows so be prepared to shade them or whatever to manage reflections from them. perhaps shoot after dark so you control all the light?

jerry

 

One of my biggest clients is a granite and stone finisher. Basically shot the whole deal with foamcore and tungsten lights. It is not as tricky as it seems. I was working with an art director as well and that really helped. I charged a day rate. Per shot can get a little intimidating for commercial clients.

Love & Bass

 

This is a shot in the dark, but you may want to try a polarizer to see if it will help cut the reflections a bit.

 

Thanks for the tips. I think that's mostly stuff I'd come up with under some critical thought. But being that it's not my expertise, there's something reassuring in hearing people say it, you know? Anyway, hopefully it goes well. They have a lot of kitchens to photograph, provided this one goes well.

 

If you have the time, buy and read Light: Science and Magic.

Everything you'll need to know is in there, that or you'll have enough information to surmise the requirements of any other lighting needs.

 

Have the coffee pot filled and ready.. LSM is good, but it is also the driest read I have ever done in my life!

 

LOL Yea, what he said!!

 

Thanks for the tips folks. The shoot was today and it went great. I and the client are very happy with the results. So, I thought I would share a few of them:

 

Nice! Congrats on a happy customer.