Use the DIY Macro Studio to Copy 2-D Art
Ever have to shoot copy photos of 2-D artwork? For the bigger stuff, we posted an example a while back on photographing a large quilt. Painter Bill Sharp, who has a neat blog visually chronicling his work, has adapted the DIY Macro Studio for use as a 2-D art copying station. Duh. I don't know why I never thought of that.
He gets soft, even light coming from both sides, with a reflection-free zone in front of the painting. The symmetrical lighting also makes for smooth lighting levels across the artwork. Nice. He also (wisely) moves the light splashes a little forward to avoid hotspots at the left and right edges of the artwork.
He is using hot lights, which are perfectly serviceable in this setting. But I would suggest using flash for consistency of exposure and color temperature.
Sharp then uses the digital files of his oil paintings, watercolors and sketches to illustrate his blog.
:: Bill Sharp's Sketch Blog ::
:: His Post on 2-D Copy Work ::
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Posted at 12:00 AM.
2 Comments:
I think users would get a lot more use out of learning the cross polarization technique. B&H and others sell polarizing sheets in the $40 dollar range. Cut the sheet to two 8"x8" approx pieces and attach over the front of standard studio heads with reflectors with the sheets oriented the same. Use a polarizer on your lens and you have perfect copying light for anything flat, glass, glossy, etc. It's night and day how drasctically better it works.
And to make it even more appropriate for the strobists out there, the PL sheet can be cut to even smaller pieces, maintain equal orientation and use on your choice of off camera speed lights with a PL filter on the camera lens.
Really like Bill's wooden frames for the diffusion sheets - this allows for a bit more flexibility in light position and / or subject choice with the DIY macro box.
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