How to Photograph Arrowheads

It's important to use a macro lens when photographing small objects close-up.

Photographing arrowheads is a lot like most other tabletop photography projects, but with a few caveats. The flat, reflective nature of many arrowheads requires some special adjustments, particularly involving your copy stand (which is a tripod built for tabletop photography) and how you set your light. Overall, the most important things to consider when photographing arrowheads are focus and exposure.

Things You'll Need

• Camera with macro lens
• Small copy stand
• Backdrop paper
• Gooseneck halogen lamps

Instructions

1. Secure the camera to the copy stand. Attach the camera from the tripod screw to the mount in the copy stand.

2. Place some backdrop paper over the copy stand's tabletop. For dark arrowheads, it is best to use a white or light-colored paper, and for light arrowheads, dark or black paper work best.

3. Lightly polish the arrowhead or remove any fingerprints or smudges on the arrowhead surface.

4. Center the arrowhead on the copy stand table.

5. Position your lights. Lighting placement is very subjective; however, a good place to start is to place the lights 30 to 45 degrees out from the camera body. Turn the lights on.

6. Focus the camera on the arrowhead and set your frame. Set your aperture and shutter speed to properly expose the shot.

7. Take your shot.

Tips & Warnings

• When using heavier single lens reflex (SLR) cameras on a copy stand, consider setting the shot timer to avoid blurring the shot when pressing the shutter button.

• Bracket the camera's f-stop to experiment while trying for the best exposure.

• Shooting with low-speed, or low ISO, film will give you the cleanest, most grain-free images.

References

• Tabletop Studio: Coin Photography Techniques
• Brown Cooper: My Approach to Coin Photography