Shooting Catalog Product Indoors

[ViciousSummer]

I'm trying to set up a mini-studio in my office for shooting product (mostly fashion accessories such as belt buckles, belts, etc). I bought a light tent and shot a few photos using that, but when I was shooting the belt buckles, the silver color came out gold. Any tips on how to avoid this? Should I not be using a light tent or should my lighting be brighter? Help!!

 

[Don Simon]

This isn't really my area of expertise (... I don't have an area of expertise) but what sort of equipment are you using? Are you shooting film or digital? I'd imagine it's not the brightness of the light causing this but the type of light.

 

[ViciousSummer]

I'm shooting digital using a Sony Cybershot 5.1MP

 

[PachelbelsCanon350D]

That's the same camera we'd use to do temporary product shots at my old job, so I know the one!

We could get decent shots even in low light, but it helped us to use the light tent plus 2-3 lamps, each having a 100 watt bulb. Really cheap, just shop lamps and Phillips lightbulbs. But they are those "natural light" ones that, when off, they look blue. They are supposed to imitate clean sunlight.

Also, check the white balance settings on your camera. It sounds like you're using tungsten-yellowish bulbs and not telling your camera to compensate for it.

 

[ViciousSummer]

Thanks so much for the tips! I was using 60watt bulbs, so I went out a purchased some 100W, thinking that could be the problem. The bulbs I got have a purplish tint to them, so hopefully those are the ones you're talking about. I'm off to take some test shots! :mrgreen:

 

[ViciousSummer]

...Also, check the white balance settings on your camera. It sounds like you're using tungsten-yellowish bulbs and not telling your camera to compensate for it.

Well, I sure did learn a alot about white balance yesterday! (Yes, I am that much of a noobie!) Adjusting the white balance definately helped to make the silver in my products silver instead of gold. My shots came out kind of dark, but photoshop is awesome, so all is well. Here are a couple of the end products:

Not perfect, but they will do until I learn more about this thing you all call photography ...

 

[Christie Photo]

For some shots, you might consider a bit of dulling spray. It's harmless on metals and wipes right off.

http://store.yahoo.com/cinemasupplies/kryldulspray.html

Have a bunch of fun!

Pete

 

[ViciousSummer]

Interesting! Who would of thought: "Dulling Spray"...haha. Have you ever used it? What would be a good use for it?

 

[Christie Photo]

Have you ever used it? What would be a good use for it?

Oh, yeah... all the time. I would use it on a piece like in your second view. See where the light is causing the specular highlights?... the ones where they're completely white?

They spray will scatter the light, making that area look more like the rest of the.... skull. (There's a sentence I never would have guessed I'd ever say)

Pete