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Category: Photographic Field Techniques

Photography Question 

Maryana Zagorodny
 

Indoor Pictures of Dark Clothing


Hi! I take pictures of clothing on a live model. I currently do this outside on a white paper background, but this really limits what I can do to cloudy days. How can I soot pictures of clothing inside? My current problem is that dark items, such as a dress, lose the details if I use flash, which I have to if I am inside. I take pictures next to a window and use a flash but the dark details get lost. I use a Sony Cybershot DSCN1 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom and white seamless paper. Any help would sincerely be appreciated! Thank you!


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May 01, 2008

 
- Gregory LaGrange

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  Sounds like you're trying your flash straight on. You'll need to find a way to light at an angle if you want to show texture. A cloudy day will look different than direct sunlight, but it will still give more detail in the clothes than a straight-on flash. Or with your current set-up, lessen the power of your flash so that the main exposure is coming from the window.


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May 01, 2008

 

W.
  Reflector panels can be foamcore boards from Home Depot, or, better, D-I-Y reflectors: some spray-glue, aluminum household foil, any panel, and an iron is all you need. Have fun!


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May 01, 2008

 

Maryana Zagorodny
  thanks for the great tips. cant wait to try! Will let you know how it goes!


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May 01, 2008

 

John H. Siskin
  Hi Maryana,
You might want to check out this article about using one light: www.betterphoto.com/article.php?id=129. Lighting, really controlling light, is one of the most important skills a photographer can have. BetterPhoto has some good lighting classes!
Thanks.


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May 02, 2008

 

W.
  On those D-I-Y reflector panels: Don't forget to crumple up the aluminum foil good, then stretch it out carefully, so as not to tear it, before you apply it, shiny side up, to the spray-glued panel. Then iron it flat without heat.


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May 02, 2008

 
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