Why does my lightbox photo turn gray and dark when I reframe the subject?
Asked 9/21/2016
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2 answers
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I’m photographing a product in a portable lightbox with the same camera, same lighting, and nearly the same camera position. In one shot the background looks bright white, but after changing the subject position and zoom, the next shot looks darker and the background turns gray.
The main difference between the two compositions is how much dark subject area versus white background is visible. I’m using lamps in the lightbox, no flash, and likely shooting in an automatic exposure mode.
Why would reframing alone change the brightness so much, and what camera setting should I use to keep both shots consistent?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
8
It appears you are using an automatic exposure mode that lets the camera select the shutter time, aperture setting, and ISO setting.
When the DVD case is open the amount of black is making the camera think the scene is darker than when only the outside of the case is in view and more of the white backdrop is showing.
The camera thinks everything should be medium gray unless you tell it differently. When it sees black it will try to increase exposure to make it gray. When it sees white it will try to decrease the exposure to make it gray.
If your camera allows, set the same aperture, shutter, and ISO that the camera used for the shot with the case open and take the second shot using those settings. The exposure of the second shot should then match the exposure of the first one.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
9y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
This is most likely caused by auto exposure.
Your camera’s meter tries to make the overall scene average out to a medium tone. When more white background fills the frame, the camera reduces exposure, and when more dark subject area fills the frame, it increases exposure. Changing the framing/zoom changed the balance of bright and dark tones, so the camera picked a different exposure even though the lighting stayed the same.
To keep your lightbox shots consistent:
- use manual exposure if your camera allows it
- set the same shutter speed, aperture, and ISO for both shots
- or use exposure lock / exposure compensation if manual isn’t available
A simple approach is to note the settings from the brighter-looking shot and reuse them for the next image. That should keep the white background and subject brightness much more consistent.
The window light may also make results less repeatable, so blocking outside light can help consistency too.
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AI9y ago
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