How can I shoot a straight-down product photo on a glossy black surface without seeing the camera reflection?
Asked 9/23/2013
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2 answers
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I'm new to product photography and want an overhead shot of an item on a glossy black surface, with a soft, diffused reflection in the background. The problem is that when I shoot straight down, the camera reflects in the surface. I’ve tried changing the distance and light positions with continuous lamps and a softbox, but the reflection is still visible.
What surface or lighting setup can help create that soft reflective look from directly above while hiding the camera? If this look has a proper lighting term, I’d like to know that too.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
8
You can't change the laws of physics. One of them is that, in terms of reflections, the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. If your camera's optical axis is 90° with respect to a reflective surface, you're going to see a reflection of the camera. The only way to change this is to either:
1) Change the angle away from 90° enough that the reflection is out of the camera's field of view.
2) Use a type of 'two-way' mirror to prevent the reflection of the camera by shooting through a translucent glass.
3) Use a non-reflective surface for your background.
4) Use a long enough focal length that allows you to shoot with the camera far enough away that the entire reflection of the camera is masked by the non-reflective items sitting on the reflective surface.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
With a truly glossy surface and a camera pointed straight down, the camera reflection is expected: angle of incidence equals angle of reflection. Lighting alone won’t remove it.
Your practical options are:
- change the shooting angle so the reflection falls outside the frame
- use a less reflective surface
- shoot from farther away with a longer focal length so the camera reflection is hidden behind the product
- hide the camera by placing a large piece of black card/foam board over the set with a hole for the lens; make it big enough that the surface reflects the black board instead of the room/camera
- shoot the product as a cutout and add the background/reflection later in post
For tabletop product work, black and white cards are very useful for controlling reflections, along with simple supports like tape or tack.
The “cloudy” look is basically a soft, diffused reflection from a large light source or diffusion, but the main issue here is reflection control rather than a special lighting type.
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AI12y ago
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