Photographing on white background

P

PDUK1

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Name
Peter
Edit My Images
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Hi All

I'm new to this forum and wonder if someone can help me. I have read lots on the net about how to photograph whilst keeping a white background white. I am trying to do some "product photography", and afraid to say without much success.

I have invested in one of those product tables with three lights plus under table lighting (not cheap!) but my images are still coming out with a grey background and a washed out product. I am using a grey card to capture my exposure, keeping the settings and entering in these in manual mode.

I am using a Nikon dSLR, I put all my lights on and turn off the main light, I take a metering of the grey card. I'm not that proficient with Photoshop but am a true beleiver to get it right within the camera and spend as little time as possible in finishing off in photoshop

Can any offer me advice?

Kind regards and thanks in advance.

Peter
 
Can you post an image or two, don't be shy.
 
Hi Peter

Welcome to the forum :)

What settings are you using on your camera? Are you using a light meter at all to determine how much light is being seen near the product at all?

Thanks in advance,

Lee
 
swag72 said:
If you want a nice white background, it is usual to over expose by 1 or 2 stops
Click to expand...

Not always the case (as a rule of thumb it is ok however!). It depends on the distance from the subject to the background too. If the product is 5cm away then over exposing by 2 stops could blow the scene for example...

It sounds like the scene isn't being metered therefore guessing exposures.
 
are you metering the background...or the subject...

the subject metering is most important...so if it isnt white...then you are ok..

sounds like you may need to use spot metering or take your readings of areas on the subject which you wish to have exposed correctly

?
 
Hi All

Thanks for a fast repsonse.

Here goes:

Using the grey card this is what my camera says in auto mode: F16, shutter speed 16, ISO 50

I put my camera to manual mode and apply the following:

ISO 50
F16
Shutter 20
Compenation +1

sample.JPG


This is the kit I am using: http://www.techlamps.co.uk/mini-photo-studios-c-82/mdsk-1-mini-digital-studio-kit-1-p-278

Kind regards

Peter
 
Stick your camera into manual mode, set it to F8 and shutter speed 1/125 ISO100 and see what happens as a starter. Sounds like you don't have a light meter there. Is it FLASH or continuous lighting you are using?
 
Hi There

Continous lighting, I done spot metering via camera.

Kind regards

Peter
 
That's underexposed. Whatever settings you are using, you need to increase exposure by a stop or two.

p.s. your image is way too big and contravenes the forum rules with regards to image size.
 
Just saw the link - try reducing your aperture (ie f8) to allow more light to the sensor.
 
OK don't want to get barred before I start. I've since reduced images size.

Kind regards

Peter
 
I've just had a quick go in PS, and an increase in exposure of 2 stops gave a white background with just a small amount of vignetting in the corners, which is easy enough to paint out.
 
Hi There

I have made the adjustments with ISO 100, 1/125 f8? and no compensation. everythig looks dark and grey

Setup:
setup.jpg

Latest image:
sample1.JPG


Its been like this all day making different adjustments?

Is there a good book that focuses on Product Photography?

Kind Regards

Peter
 
PDUK1 said:
Hi There

I have made the adjustments with ISO 100, 1/125 f8? and no compensation. everythig looks dark and grey
Click to expand...

Hi Peter

Sorry, I quoted the above for flash. I'll send you a PM :)
 
I can't send you a PM - you've disabled it!
 
O OK I'll find out how to enable it. I have only registered this afternoon. I didn't know I disabled or enabled anything? lol :)

Kind regards

Peter
 
PDUK1 said:
O OK I'll find out how to enable it. I have only registered this afternoon. I didn't know I disabled or enabled anything? lol :)

Kind regards

Peter
Click to expand...

I think you need to have been here a certain amount of time or have a certain post count or own a llama to use PM. I'm sure the FAQ will know.
 
lighting is very concentrated...and not even over the whole frame
the circular rings..?? is that from the camera

a light box illumination i think would be better...diffused lighting
 
Hi There

I have ordered a lighting tent, hopefully will be here in a couple of days which has two Triple Bulb 5000k Daylight Fluorescent Lights on stands with defusers.

I'm not sure where the circular rings are coming from but I have setup the lighting quite close due to space so can understand the intensity! I have since raised the top light. My kit is at work and Ive just finished. One of the images shows my setup.

Kind regards

Peter
 
i am sure you will get there...i am no expert but find soft diffused lighting suits what i am doing...which is just amateur stuff..
your rig looks pretty awe inspiring as it is...does it get hot
 
Hi MrCrow

it may look good but its a shame i don't know how to use it! lol

Does it get hot? no it really does stay cool. Ive had it on most of the day today except when I went to lunch.

kind Regards

Peter
 
Check the settings on the picture you posted of your setup and try those settings for starters.

Lower your shutter speed, or increase your ISO or lower the f stop. (preferably shutter speed route). Or use the exposure compensation. It should be a simple matter of intentionally trying to get the subject too bright.

But none the less, a little PP is ok too. You said you want to minimize the photoshop part, but not take it out completely ;) A quick levels or curves adjustment should hit the spot.
 
Exposure compensation probably won't work if he's using manual mode. Interesting that the shot of the setup shows a white background.

Keeping the ISO and shutter the same, try opening your aperture to f/5.6 or even f/4 and see how they come out.
 
Hi All

I do beleive Im getting closer now!

I have removed my UV filter which I use to protect my lens. I have also moved the lighting studio to the middle of the room and have extended the arms on the lights so as to reduce the light concentration.

These are my new settings:
50mm F1.4D
1ev under 200
1/8s - F14
+1.3ev
Colour temp = 5000k

I think it still could be alot crisper?

tie.jpg


Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance

Kind regards

Peter
 
Did you review the link I posted? The Nikon 50mm f1.4 flares badly against white backdrops, which will be costing you contrast/clarity. Not as badly as the f1.8 flavour, but still bad enough to warrant not using it for such shots.

Elevate the tie from the backdrop, use a loo roll, blutack, anything you have to, just get it off the background. That will allow you to try and light the backdrop independently from the tie, meaning you can blast the background with much more light than the tie to make it appear pure white. Distance between subject and backdrop is quite important.

Don't forget, though, that flare is still gonna get you.
 
Hi Denyerec

Thank you for that. Im sorry didn't get to read you posting ( i do apologise). Will give your suggestion a go!

Looks like Im gonna have to get another lens! perhaps I would better of with a Macro! 1:1

Kind Regards

Peter
 
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