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Photography Question 

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Snapshot of mirror


 
 
I need to take snapshots of mirror (for catalog). The problem is that mirror image should not have extraneous reflections (the photographer, furniture, objects etc., that is usually reflected in a mirror), and should looks naturally at the same time. I try to take snapshot under some angle to avoid my own reflection, but how about other reflections? Any ideas? (The image will be processed in a digital format)


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August 08, 2000

 

Romen Vargas 		  What I would do in this situation is move the mirror somewhere where there are just plain walls and shoot there so the mirror reflects the image of the plain wall. However, you will get the perspective problem where the mirror won't be shot front on.
OR
You can shoot the mirror front on and just edit the reflection of yourself out using some graphic program like Photoshop.
I'm no expert...but that's what I'd do in your situation


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August 09, 2000

 

John A. Lind 		 
 
  Example: 35mm f/2.8 Shift lens
Example: 35mm f/2.8 Shift lens
Shifted upward to rid street clutter

John A. Lind

  
  Example: 35mm f/2.8 Shift lens
Example: 35mm f/2.8 Shift lens
Shifted downward to include more foreground canal

John A. Lind

  
 
This is a tall order and technically difficult. I would do as Romen suggested and move the mirror to a studio if at all possible. That is where nearly all catalog photos are done . . . in an uncluttered place where position, backdrop and lighting can be absolutely and completely controlled.

The problem here is, as you mention, the mirror reflection. For this I would be setting up a neutral backdrop behind the mirror, and another directly across from it.

I would use a shift lens, moving just enough off center to keep the tripod, camera and me out of the mirror, aim perpendicular to the mirror and shift horizontally to center it in the frame. The downside is shift lenses are very expensive and specialized for situations like this and architectural work (to keep parallel lines from converging, especially vertical ones).

If you don't have one and cannot justify the expense, you might be able to rent one for a day from a large camera store. If you do that and never have used one, get some instruction on its use. They are (with the exception of a newer Canon PC shift) manual stop-down and require a sequence of steps in focusing, stopping down and setting exposure manually.

Yet another alternative to a shift lens is to shoot slightly off center letting the horizontal lines converge, hi-res scan, and manipulate in Photoshop to warp it back square again . . . to get a "digital" equivalent of what a shift lens would do for you.


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August 12, 2000

 
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