What set-up to achieve this look?

[lbrown29]

Hi Guys.

I'm looking to recreate a similar look to the images attached below and wondering what set-up and materials I would need to achieve this seamless backdrop and reflective surface combo?

Any help on this would be great!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Hi Guys.

I'm looking to recreate a similar look to the images attached below and wondering what set-up and materials I would need to achieve this seamless backdrop and reflective surface combo?

Any help on this would be great!

Welcome to Photrio!

A light box could give that look.

 

[Saganich]

I see friends of mine doing this for online books and trinket sales and they have a light box cube with curved white surface and built in LED's. Search 'light box for product photography' but the actual camera end can be complicated, for example at major auction houses these seemingly simple set-ups are done with digital 4x5's or larger.

 

[reddesert]

If you look at this page:
https://www.replicasurfaces.com/blo...rfect-white-background-in-product-photography
about 2/3 of the way down under "Fabric backdrops" there is a pretty similar photo showing the use of a mildly reflective white table surface and a white backdrop. They are actually using it to illustrate the problems with wrinkles in a fabric backdrop, but it's part of the way there. You should also read the next section of that page about paper backdrops and "sweeps".

Your challenge is how to blur the transition from the reflective table surface to the matte white sweep background. This is probably done with some combination of lighting, selective focus, and Photoshop, but I am not a product photo expert and can't tell you the exact method.

 

[koraks]

digital 4x5's or larger.

Heck no. Digital 4x5 or bigger never was a thing. Medium format (around 645 usually) and more commonly full frame 35mm, yes. Beyond that point there's just very little utility so nobody in their right mind goes there.

Your challenge is how to blur the transition from the reflective table surface to the matte white sweep background.

Curved plexiglass probably.

The rest is a matter of relatively big, diffuse light. Relatively big with small objects is of course not too difficult to pull off.

 

[lbrown29]

If you look at this page:
https://www.replicasurfaces.com/blo...rfect-white-background-in-product-photography
about 2/3 of the way down under "Fabric backdrops" there is a pretty similar photo showing the use of a mildly reflective white table surface and a white backdrop. They are actually using it to illustrate the problems with wrinkles in a fabric backdrop, but it's part of the way there. You should also read the next section of that page about paper backdrops and "sweeps".

Your challenge is how to blur the transition from the reflective table surface to the matte white sweep background. This is probably done with some combination of lighting, selective focus, and Photoshop, but I am not a product photo expert and can't tell you the exact method.

Thanks - that's definitely pointed me in the right direction!

 

[loccdor]

Something like this. I've used the black version to make masks for light sources. You can buy the opaque version or just put a white cloth/paper underneath it. 7.5 mil is flexible without being thin enough to ripple, and can be cut with a utility knife or scissors.

https://www.amazon.com/BANLTRE-Translucent-Silhouette-Template-Material/dp/B0CBV255S2

 

[Saganich]

Heck no. Digital 4x5 or bigger never was a thing. Medium format (around 645 usually) and more commonly full frame 35mm, yes. Beyond that point there's just very little utility so nobody in their right mind goes there.



Curved plexiglass probably.

The rest is a matter of relatively big, diffuse light. Relatively big with small objects is of course not too difficult to pull off.

Well I met a nice Sotheby's photographer a few years back (I work on the same block) and unless it was a tall tale she said their catalogues are done on digital 4x5 studio cameras.

 

[Lachlan Young]

Curved plexiglass probably

Slab of suitable colour or milky translucent acrylic, white backdrop (or whatever other colours you need), retouching as needed. With the right perspective and lighting, it's pretty straightforward.

said their catalogues are done on digital 4x5 studio cameras

More likely 4x5 technical cameras with (tethered) digital backs which in non-scan form are approx 6x4.5 max imaging area. Hardly new or unique technology at this distance. It's all about speed and 'good enough' quality in a quasi-assembly-line methodology.

 

[koraks]

unless it was a tall tale

There was likely miscommunication involved. As said above, a native 4x5 system with a (much smaller, effectively medium format) digital back was a likely combination.
Have you tried to find a 4x5 digital camera? You'll understand.

 

[OAPOli]

I've vaguely aware of some medical imaging sensors converted for photography. Monochrome, about 8x10 in size, huge ~100 micron pixels (5MP but native ISO~6400). Probably some one offs out there.

 

[foc]

Here are a few websites that might help.

http://tabletopstudio.com/HowTo_page.html

https://www.kernowcraft.com/blog/ha...s/the-ultimate-guide-to-jewellery-photography

https://blog.storeya.com/2018/10/product-photography-white-background/

 

[lbrown29]

Here are a few websites that might help.

http://tabletopstudio.com/HowTo_page.html

https://www.kernowcraft.com/blog/ha...s/the-ultimate-guide-to-jewellery-photography

https://blog.storeya.com/2018/10/product-photography-white-background/

Thanks - appreciate it

 

[lbrown29]

Something like this. I've used the black version to make masks for light sources. You can buy the opaque version or just put a white cloth/paper underneath it. 7.5 mil is flexible without being thin enough to ripple, and can be cut with a utility knife or scissors.

https://www.amazon.com/BANLTRE-Translucent-Silhouette-Template-Material/dp/B0CBV255S2

Looking into buying something like that - thanks for your help

 

[Mal Paso]

There was likely miscommunication involved. As said above, a native 4x5 system with a (much smaller, effectively medium format) digital back was a likely combination.
Have you tried to find a 4x5 digital camera? You'll understand.

Digital 4x5 was a thing that lasted about as long as a phart in a windstorm. Scanning backs captured a 4x5 image one row of pixels at a time but the subject couldn't move. As sensor resolution increased scanning backs went the way of the dodo bird. Current high end 24x36mm sensors approach the resolution of 4x5 film ending any technical advance of 4x5.

 

[koraks]

Exactly.

 

[cliveh]

All three images are taken with the objects on a lightbox, with perhaps grey plexiglass on top. The first image is also back lit (the only way to photograph glass to make it look like glass). the other images are also lit from above with a soft box.