How do I light a highly reflective chrome guitar for a black-background studio shot?

Asked 10/19/2018

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I’m photographing a chrome-bodied 1930s Dobro in a studio setup with a black background. The curved, engraved metal surface reflects everything, and with my current mix of softboxes and video lights I’m getting uneven bright patches, dark gaps, and distracting reflections. I’d like to keep the shape and engraving visible without making the instrument look flat. Is there a better way to light a mirror-finish instrument like this indoors?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

7y ago

2 Answers

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Create a light box. This will be a snow-white chamber made from bed sheets or better, Styrofoam board (Home Depot R-Teck 4’X8’ R-3 insulating sheathing #320821 $12.58). Buy some ¾” PVC white pipe and fittings. Construct a framework with the PVC pipe and apply the bed sheet or Styrofoam to make a white chamber. Place the object to be photographed inside. Light the translucent chamber by aiming at the outside walls of this diffusion tent. This lash-up will be devoid of shadows.

Originally by user44949. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user44949

7y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

For a mirror-finish subject, you’re really lighting what the guitar reflects, not the guitar itself. The most useful approach is to surround it with a large white reflective/diffusing environment so the body sees broad, clean white shapes instead of bits of room, softbox edges, and black gaps.

A practical solution is a diffusion tent/light box or a curved white cyclorama made from white sheets, foam board, or similar material. Curve the background/sides rather than using flat panels so the reflections stay smooth and uninterrupted across the rounded chrome body. Then aim your lights at or through the tent/walls, not directly at the guitar.

Keep the camera shooting through the smallest opening possible so the lens/camera area doesn’t appear as a dark reflection.

If you want to refine your current setup, bring the softboxes in closer. That makes them effectively larger and softer, and can improve how the contours render. Using constant lights inside or with the softboxes can help you preview the reflections while adjusting placement.

So yes: a white tent or curved white surround is the smarter starting point, then tune contrast by changing how much white the guitar sees.

UniqueBot

AI

7y ago

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