 BetterPhoto Member |
Taking pictues of scrapbook pages I need to make a photo copy of an 8 1/2 X 11 scrapbook page. The picture of the image has to be about a 3 X 5. I tried to use window sunlight, a light background, and used flash. The pictures did not come out. The photo copy of the scrapbook page came out with a huge amount of glare on it. Should I have not used flash? Should I resort to taking them outside? How can the photo copy end up a 3 x 5? Please let me know a.s.a.p as I am entering a contest and the deadline is in a couple of days. Thanks, Lisa
|
|
|
|
||
|
Jeff S. Kennedy |
To really do it right you will have to have 2 flashes. The flashes should be placed at 45deg angles to the page and at an equal distance to ensure even lighting. The page must be flat and parallel to the film plane of your camera. Its a basic copystand set up. For more detail find a basic photography book and it should detail the layout for you.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Jeff S. Kennedy |
If you are unable to get two flashes of equal strength you can use tungsten lights (shop lights with reflectors will work) with tungsten film. Place the tungstens the same as you would have the flashes.
|
|
|
|
||
|
John A. Lind |
Lisa, You haven't mentioned if the page is glossy (shiny; highly reflective) or not. If it is, it makes copy work more difficult. Jeff has given you some good ideas. Some additional ideas if you haven't already tried them: 1. Try "open shade" on the shady side of a building. Not as much light but much more diffused and can reduce the glare. If you're in the Northern Hemisphere and north of the tropics (North America, Europe, etc.) you can find open shade on the north side of a building throughout the day. Southern Hemisphere south of the tropics (Australia, New Zealand, etc.) would be on the south side of a building. 2. If you try to use daylight again and cannot avoid direct sunlight, ensure the page is oriented to about a 45 degree angle from the Sun position. 3. In addition to what Jeff mentions about the film plane being parallel to the page, also ensure the page is as absolutely flat as you can make it. If you see even a hint of glare by looking just barely over the top of the camera at the page, or through the camera viewfinder, it will be more prominent in the photograph. Cannot explain this . . . it's the same as flare. Glare and flare always seem to be less prominent in the viewfinder than in the print or on the slide . . . but a hint of it _is_ there if you look for it. 4. Align the page and lighting so that it eliminates the flare. Then align the camera to the paget. 5. If you try Tungsten lighting indoors as Jeff suggests, use higher powered light bulbs or floodlights with Tungsten balanced film. 100 Watts is OK, and 150 Watts to 300 Watts is even better, _if_ the lamp and socket are rated for it. Bulbs this powerful _will_ be hot!!! Be safe _including_ checking the lamp and its socket for the maximum rated wattage for it. Melted plastic sockets and scorched/smoldering lamp shades are _not_ something you want to happen. The more powerful bulbs are closer to the color temperature of Tungsten photo lights. Tungsten films: These are all professional films. You will find them at larger camera stores that stock professional films (look for a refrigerator with sliding glass doors). -- John
|
|
|
|
||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||