Glass Art Forums » Glass Art Photography

**I photograph my own glass** Posted: 1/12/2005 2:35:47 AM

I have set up a photography studio in my unfinished basement. Since this is an unused space, I was able to devote a whole corner to my picture taking!

The first thing I did was buy 5 king-sized white sheets from a national discount store. I 'made' a room with these sheets (4 sides and a ceiling) by stapling them to the rafters. I bought 2 heavy-duty worklights from a home improvement store - and I have a studio! Not only do I have a photo studio in the basement, but I have a glass studio in the garage.

I use an olympus 8 mp digital camera with a super macro function. I love this camera! It really gets in close, and this studio setup eliminates the light-glare I was geting. If anyone is interest, I would post photos......

Posted: 1/18/2005 6:08:04 PM

what kind of an olympus camera do you have? I am thinking of buying the E300 but i want to have some info about it. I use olympus cameras for more then 20 years now and I don't want to change but I don't know too many people using olympus SLR digital cameras only pocket ones. I own OM-4 a 35mm film and a broken camedia c-730.I thought of going back to film but now it seems a bit costly (you have to buy the films as well as the printing cost) plus seeing the results on the spot is an advantage one cannot do without once one get used to it.
so anyone who is using an SLR digital olympus, I'll be very happy to here about it. thanks, galia

Posted: 1/18/2005 11:55:30 PM

I currently use an Oly 8080. It provides all the options I need in my photography, including a super-macro function. Up until about 5 months ago, I was using an Oly 3030. I investigated getting a DSLR, but the price is still too high for the functionality. My next camera will be a DSLR - in about 4 to 5 years.

If you want to see some of my photography, goto
http://pksmart.com.

Photography is a hobby of mine and I am a firm believer in digital manipulation (as you will see).

Posted: 1/19/2005 5:57:33 AM

Pamela, I LOVE your photography! it is absolutely fabulous :!: Do you manipulate the content of the photos or just their attributes (color, brithness, contrust, sharpness etc.). The camera that you are using, does it let you manipulate the depth of field?
Up until a few years ago I was also a photogrpher hobbiest but the price of development and my lack of money (started to buy glass instead) made me give it up until my sister got a digital camedia c730 camera and I started again. however I was always very conscious that the quality of my pictures was not what i was used to. (And of course I blame it on the camera :wink: . I think non SLR just dont give you enough contol over the end product which using OM-4 for many years made me used to be.
your pics though are brilliant.
galia

Posted: 1/19/2005 11:55:05 PM

What I love about digital photography is that you can take hundreds of pics without the cost of printing. I have taken 20 or so snaps of one glass item just to find the perfect picture - less money on printing, more money for glass!

My oly cameras have several modes. You can use 'program' mode and use it just like a point and shoot. Or you can go manual and adjust f-stop (depth-of-field), shutter speed, white balance, focus, well-you name it and you can control it.

As a hobby, I manipulate every aspect of my pictures. I delete unwanted elements, or add elements (like eyes!) I have been using photoshop for a few years now and can't live without it.

Taking pics of glass has been very challenging for me. I have tried many setups to eliminate glare, yet try to show how beautiful glass is. I am still learning.

Posted: 1/20/2005 2:18:54 PM

Hi Pamela,
I looked at the specs of your camera and does look like a great buy, however it is just as expensive as the E300 which is a DSLR so I don't understand the advantages, do you have any idea? I was thinking of buying the E300. And one more question, a short depth of field is only achieved with a combination of low f AND narrow angle lens. The 8080 goes until the quivalent of 140mm of 35mm camera. Is it narrow enough to give a blare background?
thanks , galia

Posted: 1/31/2005 1:51:54 PM

After looking at the e300 - I think it is a great camera! I wish I would have waited for this camera. You are lucky that this one is available. It even comes with a lens!

Oh well, I know when I'm ready for a new one that there will be lots to choose from. Technology on these things are advancing rapidly.

Let me know how you like it.

**tons of glare** Posted: 3/7/2005 11:22:49 PM

hi. I have a little nikon coolpix and when i take pics i get a mean glare and I cant get in on the dateil. any thoughts suggestions etc..??? thanks jay

Posted: 3/8/2005 12:00:02 AM

You need to get a tripod and use a macro mode if you have it. Filter the light with a white sheet to eliminate the glare-just drape it over the light. If you can't find a white sheet, try taping a piece of white paper in a sun-filled window and put the object directly in front of it. Don't use flash either. If you dont have a tripod, then steady the camera against something like a chair or table. Get as close as you can. Details are hard to capture unless you manually focus, but most cameras do a pretty good job in automatic mode. Practice - it only costs time with a digital camera!

Posted: 3/8/2005 7:41:39 PM

Hi Cortez,
I don't know your camera but I think the most importent issue in taking pictures in general and glass in particular is lighting. Try to put the camera with it's back to a dark area (so that nothing will be reflected in the glass like your image while taking the picture) and try to put the light you use shine on a white backgroung that will reflect it back to your item rather than light it directly. Usually pictures taken using bounced light are much softer than ones taken with a direct light on the object.
hope that helps, and like the advise you already got, Practice does make perfect! galia

Posted: 3/23/2005 1:34:23 PM

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I photograph my own glass

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