How to Take a Photo of Glass Art
Glass is a dynamic art medium. It can be shaped into complicated abstract forms and has a luster and shine that few other art media can match. However, these very qualities can make it difficult to photograph. Photographing glass art with studio lighting helps, as it allows you to carefully control position, diffusion and intensity of light. A few basic guidelines and tips specific to the medium can help you when taking a photo of glass art.
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Things You'll Need
- Digital camera
- Light box
- 3 photography lights
- Graduated photo background
- Photography table with light hole
- Black photo background
- White photo background
- Tripod
Instructions
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Lighting
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Set the glass art in a light box.
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Set up one photographic light aimed approximately 45 degrees to the front of the object.
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3
Set up another photographic light at the same angle and position on the opposite side of the object. Move this light away from the object approximately one-and-a-half times the distance as the other light.
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4
Set up the third photographic light beneath the object, pointing directly upward through the bottom of the light box. This step requires a photography table with a hole in its center, designed so that light may be shined up onto objects from below. The light from below is only necessary when photographing clear glass objects. With multicolor, etched or layered glass art objects, this light can be aimed through the top of the light box.
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5
Place a graduated photo background at the rear of the light box. This will help bring out the details of a multicolor, etched or layered glass art object. Use a black photo background or no background when photographing clear glass.
Photography
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6
Attach a digital camera to a tripod. Most tripods attach by screwing the top of the tripod into the screw hole at the base of the digital camera.
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Set the white balance setting for the type of lights you are using --- incandescent or fluorescent.
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Compose the shot, and focus the image.
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Take the photograph. Review the image and, if necessary, adjust the lighting by moving the lights closer or farther from the object to increase or decrease the intensity of the light. If the image is too dark, for example, moving the lights closer to the image would increase the brightness of the image. Take another photograph, and continue this process until you have the desired image.
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References
- Photo Credit deep-red glass pot and glass blue balls image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
