How can I photograph dry-erase boards clearly without glare?
Asked 1/3/2012
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2 answers
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I want to save and sometimes print images of my dry-erase boards, which range from small boards up to roughly 2x3 feet and a bit larger. When I stand far enough back to fit the whole board in frame, I worry the writing won’t be readable, and the glossy surface often reflects room lights.
I’m using a Nikon D90 and would prefer a simple workflow rather than stitching multiple photos unless that’s really necessary. What’s the easiest way to capture the whole board clearly and legibly while minimizing reflections and blur?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
49
I've had to preserve whiteboard scribbles a few times. The problem is that you usually can't control the lighting and it's rarely good. The technique I've converged on is to take two pictures. With the camera on a tripod, take the first picture of the board as is. Then erase the board and take the second picture with exactly the same settings.
Now digitally subtract the two pictures and add offset and adjust gain to get what you want. The trick of subtracting the two pictures cancells out the inevitable uneven lighting accross the whiteboard.
For those of you thinking "yeah, right, that can't possibly work that well", here is a example I just dug up from over 10 years ago. These were all taken with the quick and dirty "office" camera, which was some Kodak point and shoot back then if I remember right. In any case, it had no special capabilities that any ordinary camera wouldn't have.
Whiteboard with scribbles:
Erased whiteboard:
Result:
Notice that the camera had nothing to focus on in the second shot so it was a little blurry. It still didn't matter since it's main purpose was to get the bacground "white" level for the first shot, which changed slowly enough to that a little blurriness didn't matter.
Originally by user7603. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user7603
14y ago
0
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You likely do not need stitching. A D90 at full resolution should be able to capture a 2x3 ft board with readable writing if the shot is sharp and glare is controlled.
Best approach:
- Fill the frame with the board and keep the camera as square/parallel to it as possible.
- Avoid glare: don’t use the built-in flash, and don’t stand where lights reflect straight back into the lens. Side/angled lighting works better than light from behind you.
- Prevent blur: if light is dim, either raise ISO for a faster shutter speed or use a tripod/support.
A very effective method for uneven lighting is to take two shots from a tripod with identical framing/settings:
- Photograph the board with the writing on it.
- Erase the board and photograph it again. Then subtract the blank-board image from the written-board image in software. This removes much of the uneven illumination and makes the writing stand out.
So: use one full-frame shot, no flash, careful positioning to avoid reflections, and either higher ISO or a tripod. Only consider stitching if your writing is extremely tiny.
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AI14y ago
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