A Question about Digital Cameras: Can anyone help me?

[Tirithel]

Hey all...I (duh!) have a question about using my digital camera to get some of my work onto my computer.

Some time ago, I remember an art teacher at my school saying there was some trick to photographing framed pieces so that reflections and glares won't show up in the picture (because of the glass). Now, I have tried and tried different angles and lighting opts and not using flash and whatever and I ALWAYS end up with glare or with my own sadly stupid looking reflection detracting from my otherwise beautiful work. ;) I'd just take it out of the frame, but sadly, that would involve picking out a lot of nails and prolly breaking the frame and that would really suck for me...

So, am I nuts thinking this can be done or what? :grin:

[Caillach]

I'm sorry but I have no idea... I don't know all that much about photography I'm afraid. :(

[Ivyetta]

Hi Tirithel, :)..... Well, you know the BEST thing would be to take it out of the frame... but if not, what you'll want to do is; not use any flash, use natural daylight, and then you'll have to angle the piece slightly away from the light source so that you don't get glare... then you'll have to angle yourself slightly away from the piece so that your reflection is not captured. You can try different angles... sometimes it's good to prop your piece onto a short table or maybe the floor and then take the photo from above....
I'm not sure if these are the tricks that your art teacher was talking about, but they are some tricks, :).... Play around with the angles some.... but definitly don't use a flash and use natural light....

Well.... hope this helps! :)

[Laurelin]

Its a pity you have (I'm assuming) regular glass in your picture frame. Some come with a glass that doesn't get light glare. Anyway, I agree with Ivyetta. Additionally, you might try some of the other settings on the camera itself (f-stop, etc.) if its capable of that. Good luck! ;)

[Primula]

Play around with the angles some.... but definitly don't use a flash and use natural light.... Yep, take it outside, not in the harsh light of high noon though. A brighter overcast day is good.

[Tirithel]

Well thanks guys...I was beginning to think no one had any clue what I was talking about and that I was gonna have to try and pry all those nails out...*shudder*

ANywhosa, THANKS! I'll give those a try and let you know how they turn out. :)

[Laurelin]

So did you have any luck Tirithel??

[Tirithel]

Haven't been able to try it yet...I just got through moving and starting a new job and school not to mention that particular painting is still wrapped in bubble wrap. But I'm getting there. :)

[Daylily]

Hi,
i've had the same problems with glare. A few of things have worked for me (besides a prof. photographer :blush: ). If you have a place to hang the work -you can place a clamp light on each of the four sides about 6 - 8 inches from the sides of the artwork. The light bulbs have to be the same strength i.e. 100 watts, 75 watts etc. Make sure that they are all pointed directly across the center of the work toward each other, the right facing left and top facing bottom. This creates what is called "dead light" thoughout the artwork. The term dead light means that there should be no cast shadows or reflective glare because the opposing light "kills" shadow and glare. If it's a large work you may have to increase the number of lamps.

Another thing i've had success with is laying the artwork on the ground in the shade, stand directly over the top and take the photo. True, this method will produce a photo that is a bit more blue or cyan than the original, but if you use Photoshop you can correct this. ;)

Last but not least, if you don't have a camera that has light filters, you can place a pair of UV protective sunglasses over the lens! This works great for photgraphing sunsets and clouds.

[Laurelin]

Wow, those are great tips!! :thumbs: Thanks Daylily. ;)

[Tirithel]

Holy scnikes you're not kidding around!!! Thanks, man! I love the one with the sunglasses...pure genius. I'm always trying to take pics of sunsets and cloud colors and stuff but they never turn out. Thanks again! :grin:

[Daylily]

Yeah, clouds & skies are so amazing! Do you ever think about how the sky is a huge painting that God changes all the time? I must have a hundred pics but it's never enough! Paintings are just poor copies.

[Vixen]

Here is another. I always try daylight first but in the shade. There is enough ambient light to show off your picture but not 'blind' it, especially witha person. And always off at an angle.
Use the manual on your camera for suggestions and use the manual for Photoshop.