Photographing artwork that is behind glass?

12 years 6 months ago #164514 by Moossmann
Hey guys,

What sort of set up do you recommend when shooting artwork and museum pieces that are behind glass? I'm guessing shooting with any sort of flash is going to be out of the question?

Ethan


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12 years 6 months ago #164555 by Joves
Well with your D80 you will have to bump up your ISO to 800 or better, if I remember right 1000 was tolerable. Most likely you will want to use your 50mm for the extra aperture. Since you will most likely will not be able to take a tripod with you, you might want to make a string stabilizer for your camera. Which is easy you need a short 1/4 bolt and 2 washers, you use the bolt and one washer in the tripod mount and tie the string to it, make the string long enough to go under your foot and tie the other washer to it. When you pull up on it, it will help you remain more stable. Just watch for reflections from lights and try to get where they dont interfere.


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12 years 6 months ago #164563 by Stealthy Ninja
Polarizer to remove reflections.

Tripod to keep it steady (a polarizer also acts as a ND filter, so be aware of that).

50mm is fine (as Joves said).
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12 years 6 months ago #164583 by Justin Black

Moossmann wrote: Hey guys,

What sort of set up do you recommend when shooting artwork and museum pieces that are behind glass? I'm guessing shooting with any sort of flash is going to be out of the question?

Ethan


I'm assuming you are talking about flat art, and that you have control over the lighting. In that case, the best approach is two lights, either strobes or hot lights, positioned at a 45-degree angle (or thereabout) to the surface, with polarizing gels over the lights and a polarizing filter on the camera. That will ensure elimination of reflection and specular highlights.

Lighting 3D art is almost an art in itself.

Justin Black
Visionary Wild – workshops and travel for the passionate photographer
visionarywild.com

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12 years 6 months ago #164604 by MajorMagee
Most museums will throw you out if you even think about using a flash.


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12 years 6 months ago #164643 by Stealthy Ninja

MajorMagee wrote: Most museums will throw you out if you even think about using a flash.


No point, it would just reflect all over the glass.
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12 years 6 months ago - 12 years 6 months ago #164671 by Farestad
If you had the flash off to the right of you pointing the same direction as the camera with the camera up against the glass? You think you would see reflection?

But the glass on art works is right up to the painting... :huh:

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12 years 6 months ago #164778 by Indy 001

Moossmann wrote: Hey guys,

What sort of set up do you recommend when shooting artwork and museum pieces that are behind glass? I'm guessing shooting with any sort of flash is going to be out of the question?

Ethan


Are you speaking about shooting in a museum? or just shooting artwork that would be in a museum, but you can bring into your own studio.

Shooting in a museum, you probably can not use a tripod or flash (plus flash will give a reflection. Try using a Polarizer.

If not shooting in a museum, but shooting in a studio. Place lights around the artwork, do not use your camera flash, place camera on tripod and shoot straight on, and try not to get any of the lights reflecting.


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12 years 6 months ago #164797 by Henry Peach
If you are setting up your own lighting you need to learn about the family of angles to assess how to place light sources so they won't cause reflections. An excellent resource is the book "Lighting, Science and Magic".
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12 years 6 months ago #164922 by icepics
From your post it sounds like you're interested in doing this at a location like a museum or gallery (since you said you thought a flash was out of the question).

If that's the case you'd probably need to check on the policies since museums may not allow photographs to be taken, or have guidelines for camera usage (as they do for food & drinks, bags & backpacks, etc.) They may allow photographs of their collection but not of special or travelling exhibits and typically don't allow a flash or tripods/monopods.

If photographing the artwork is allowed maybe try moving and changing the vantage point to change where reflections hit the glass. It would depend on the lighting and where and how the art is displayed if you could eliminate reflections altogether (if you can figure out a position to shoot from where you aren't getting any reflection) and I'd think a polarizer could be an option.

Sharon
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12 years 6 months ago #165035 by Carlos

Henry Peach wrote: If you are setting up your own lighting you need to learn about the family of angles to assess how to place light sources so they won't cause reflections. An excellent resource is the book "Lighting, Science and Magic".


:goodpost:

(2) Canon 7D, Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM, 50mm f/1.4 USM, 85mm f/1.8 USM, Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 HSM, Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6
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12 years 6 months ago #165154 by Stealthy Ninja

Henry Peach wrote: If you are setting up your own lighting you need to learn about the family of angles to assess how to place light sources so they won't cause reflections. An excellent resource is the book "Lighting, Science and Magic".


Or just move it to the sides... :huh:
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12 years 6 months ago #165207 by Joe Photo Daddy
Fast lens, higher ISO and polarized filter should take care of what you need most of the time.


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