Shooting paint with metal flakes...

[DLo42]

I am trying to shoot guitars that have metal flakes in the paint. When you look at the guitar with light hitting the metal flakes, it really pops. But when you try and use a camera with flashes it doesn't have the same effect and I cant capture it right. Any suggestions?

 

[joealcantar]

If it looks good in natural light etc. try lighting it with a reflector to see how it looks.
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Shoot well, Joe

 

[OrionsByte]

Research "family of angles." Basically you'll want even lighting that fills the family of angles created between the lens' field of view and the surface area you want to light. Probably the easiest way to do that would be to use the flash to light a wall, position the guitar at a 45 degree angle to the wall, and then shoot at a 90 degree angle to the wall. That may not give you the composition you were going for, but it will give you a starting point.

If that doesn't give you the look you want, do the opposite and light the guitar OUTSIDE that family of angles. So for instance, use the flash to light a wall, position the guitar at a 45 degree angle again, but then shoot the guitar with the lit wall behind you.

 

[KmH]

A good source for lighting info is: Light: Science and Magic, An Introduction To Photographic Lighting, Fourth Edition

It covers the "family of angles" and other information on how to light various subjects.