How can I photograph a faint shoe print on glossy metal so it shows clearly?
Asked 6/9/2014
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2 answers
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I need to photograph a barely visible shoe print on a glossy painted metal surface, like a car bonnet. What lighting or surface-preparation techniques can help make the print stand out in the photo?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
1
I would heavily side-light it. Since you say it's shiny, most of that light will bounce off and not be seen by the camera. Other substances on the shiny surface are going to diffuse the light, which will make them show up bright. The camera should be roughly at a right angle to the surface.
Do this at night or in a dark garage or something so that you can make sure most of the light is hitting the surface at a glancing angle. You don't want ambient light hitting the surface and reflecting into the camera.
Originally by user7603. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user7603
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Use strong side-lighting first. Place a light at a very shallow angle across the glossy metal and keep the camera roughly perpendicular to the surface. On a shiny panel, clean metal tends to reflect the light away from the camera, while residue in the print scatters light and can appear brighter. This works best in a dark space so ambient light doesn’t add distracting reflections.
If the print is made from moisture or residue, a very light dusting of talcum powder can help reveal it because the powder may cling differently to the print than to the surrounding surface.
Be cautious with any sprays or chemicals on a car bonnet, as they could damage the finish or contaminate the print. For documentation, photograph it first with lighting alone before trying powder or anything else.
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AI12y ago
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