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#1
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Clean Objects
Hi
I'm shooting lots of detailed Jewellery for a catalogue with a digital camera, and am trying to get a consistent colour background for all the shots. I can't use too many lights because the items are small. After much experimenting I've come to the conclusion that in order for all the backgrounds to be consistent I have to knockout the backgrounds and insert a standard coloured background using photoshop. My question is which background will give me the cleanest objects and background to remove in photoshop? I've tried white but I end up with lots of shadows to clean up. I'm frightened of black as it may give me lost on black in the jewellery items that I won't be able to easily separate out in photoshop. Perhaps a lightbox is best, but then won't I get white reflective edges that will merge with the background and not give me a clean knockout? What do you suggest? Thanks J |
#2
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Clean Objects
In article , "Jack"
wrote: My question is which background will give me the cleanest objects and background to remove in photoshop? Two things effect how the background can be selected from the objects: the actual color range you select and how it differs from the object, and focus (boundary effect). Of course whatever color you choose is likely to be cast into the objects so you want the background out of focus anyway. I would choose blue. I am sure you will make some test images with different light and backgrounds to be sure. Right? Ask this question in the photoshop group for more info. |
#3
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Clean Objects
On Mon, 26 Apr 2004 11:00:29 +0000 (UTC), "Jack"
wrote: Hi I'm shooting lots of detailed Jewellery for a catalogue with a digital camera, and am trying to get a consistent colour background for all the shots. I can't use too many lights because the items are small. After much experimenting I've come to the conclusion that in order for all the backgrounds to be consistent I have to knockout the backgrounds and insert a standard coloured background using photoshop. My question is which background will give me the cleanest objects and background to remove in photoshop? I've tried white but I end up with lots of shadows to clean up. I'm frightened of black as it may give me lost on black in the jewellery items that I won't be able to easily separate out in photoshop. Perhaps a lightbox is best, but then won't I get white reflective edges that will merge with the background and not give me a clean knockout? What do you suggest? There seems to be a long tradition of using blue backgrounds for exactly the purpose you describe, and it's called bluescreening. There are several chapters about bluescreen techniques in "Photoshop Channel Chops" by David Biedney, Bert Monroy and Nathan Moody. The book may be out of print (my copy is coyright 1998) but probably not too hard to find used. rafe b. http://www.terrapinphoto.com |
#4
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Clean Objects
Thanks but blue doesn't work with objects that may themselves contain blue.
Jewellery may also get a blue colour cast/spill from the background. Thanks J (uk) "Raphael Bustin" wrote in message ... On Mon, 26 Apr 2004 11:00:29 +0000 (UTC), "Jack" wrote: Hi I'm shooting lots of detailed Jewellery for a catalogue with a digital camera, and am trying to get a consistent colour background for all the shots. I can't use too many lights because the items are small. After much experimenting I've come to the conclusion that in order for all the backgrounds to be consistent I have to knockout the backgrounds and insert a standard coloured background using photoshop. My question is which background will give me the cleanest objects and background to remove in photoshop? I've tried white but I end up with lots of shadows to clean up. I'm frightened of black as it may give me lost on black in the jewellery items that I won't be able to easily separate out in photoshop. Perhaps a lightbox is best, but then won't I get white reflective edges that will merge with the background and not give me a clean knockout? What do you suggest? There seems to be a long tradition of using blue backgrounds for exactly the purpose you describe, and it's called bluescreening. There are several chapters about bluescreen techniques in "Photoshop Channel Chops" by David Biedney, Bert Monroy and Nathan Moody. The book may be out of print (my copy is coyright 1998) but probably not too hard to find used. rafe b. http://www.terrapinphoto.com |
#5
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Clean Objects
"Jack" wrote in message
... Hi I'm shooting lots of detailed Jewellery for a catalogue with a digital camera, and am trying to get a consistent colour background for all the shots. I can't use too many lights because the items are small. After much experimenting I've come to the conclusion that in order for all the backgrounds to be consistent I have to knockout the backgrounds and insert a standard coloured background using photoshop. My question is which background will give me the cleanest objects and background to remove in photoshop? I've tried white but I end up with lots of shadows to clean up. I'm frightened of black as it may give me lost on black in the jewellery items that I won't be able to easily separate out in photoshop. Perhaps a lightbox is best, but then won't I get white reflective edges that will merge with the background and not give me a clean knockout? What do you suggest? Thanks J A couple of suggestions. First try not to shoot the objects on the background. Elevate the objects well above the background (I assume you are shooting down toward a table top here). I do this by placing a sheet of very clean glass on blocks placed at the corners. How high you elevate the glass depends on the objects you are shooting, the lens you are using and the aperture selected. I have found that for close-up work three to six inches works pretty well. Next use a background like a bright green (chromakey green for instance, which is made for just this procedure). Place your lights well to the side and shoot across your objects. That will give you good edges and separation from the background. With your objects well above the background and your lights at angles on the sides the background should be very evenly illuminated and will be easy to remove in Photoshop. If necessary you can place a couple of small lights so they hit the background without hitting the glass or jewelry to provide even illumination. If you shoot downward at an angle and the glass is clean it will disappear completely. You shouldn't need special non-reflective glass for this but if you want just use an anti-glare 8x10 or 11x14 sheet of glass from a framing shop. HTH, Sherman http://www.dunnamphoto.com |
#6
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Clean Objects
I like your idea.
It should help rid those shadows (and colour casts) that are a pest to remove. Nice, must try it. Thanks "Sherman" wrote in message ... "Jack" wrote in message ... Hi I'm shooting lots of detailed Jewellery for a catalogue with a digital camera, and am trying to get a consistent colour background for all the shots. I can't use too many lights because the items are small. After much experimenting I've come to the conclusion that in order for all the backgrounds to be consistent I have to knockout the backgrounds and insert a standard coloured background using photoshop. My question is which background will give me the cleanest objects and background to remove in photoshop? I've tried white but I end up with lots of shadows to clean up. I'm frightened of black as it may give me lost on black in the jewellery items that I won't be able to easily separate out in photoshop. Perhaps a lightbox is best, but then won't I get white reflective edges that will merge with the background and not give me a clean knockout? What do you suggest? Thanks J A couple of suggestions. First try not to shoot the objects on the background. Elevate the objects well above the background (I assume you are shooting down toward a table top here). I do this by placing a sheet of very clean glass on blocks placed at the corners. How high you elevate the glass depends on the objects you are shooting, the lens you are using and the aperture selected. I have found that for close-up work three to six inches works pretty well. Next use a background like a bright green (chromakey green for instance, which is made for just this procedure). Place your lights well to the side and shoot across your objects. That will give you good edges and separation from the background. With your objects well above the background and your lights at angles on the sides the background should be very evenly illuminated and will be easy to remove in Photoshop. If necessary you can place a couple of small lights so they hit the background without hitting the glass or jewelry to provide even illumination. If you shoot downward at an angle and the glass is clean it will disappear completely. You shouldn't need special non-reflective glass for this but if you want just use an anti-glare 8x10 or 11x14 sheet of glass from a framing shop. HTH, Sherman http://www.dunnamphoto.com |
#7
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Clean Objects
Hi
I've just tried it and... what should I say... the quality of the items are superb unbelievable clear and separated completely from the background. Wow! Were were you, when I shot my last 200 items? ;-) I can't look at them now, they are so bad. How do I handle droop earrings? They must hang for them to look "real". At the moment I just make a hole in my sheet of paper and stick the earrings in. Any ideas how to "hang" earrings/objects on glass? Thank you for your very valuable time. J uk "Sherman" wrote in message ... "Jack" wrote in message ... Hi I'm shooting lots of detailed Jewellery for a catalogue with a digital camera, and am trying to get a consistent colour background for all the shots. I can't use too many lights because the items are small. After much experimenting I've come to the conclusion that in order for all the backgrounds to be consistent I have to knockout the backgrounds and insert a standard coloured background using photoshop. My question is which background will give me the cleanest objects and background to remove in photoshop? I've tried white but I end up with lots of shadows to clean up. I'm frightened of black as it may give me lost on black in the jewellery items that I won't be able to easily separate out in photoshop. Perhaps a lightbox is best, but then won't I get white reflective edges that will merge with the background and not give me a clean knockout? What do you suggest? Thanks J A couple of suggestions. First try not to shoot the objects on the background. Elevate the objects well above the background (I assume you are shooting down toward a table top here). I do this by placing a sheet of very clean glass on blocks placed at the corners. How high you elevate the glass depends on the objects you are shooting, the lens you are using and the aperture selected. I have found that for close-up work three to six inches works pretty well. Next use a background like a bright green (chromakey green for instance, which is made for just this procedure). Place your lights well to the side and shoot across your objects. That will give you good edges and separation from the background. With your objects well above the background and your lights at angles on the sides the background should be very evenly illuminated and will be easy to remove in Photoshop. If necessary you can place a couple of small lights so they hit the background without hitting the glass or jewelry to provide even illumination. If you shoot downward at an angle and the glass is clean it will disappear completely. You shouldn't need special non-reflective glass for this but if you want just use an anti-glare 8x10 or 11x14 sheet of glass from a framing shop. HTH, Sherman http://www.dunnamphoto.com |
#9
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Clean Objects
That's fine for a few pairs, but not for 400 pieces.
A quick release glue? "Nicholas O. Lindan" wrote in message Stick earrings to glass. Raise glass to vertical. Arrange camera & lights .... -- Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics. psst.. want to buy an f-stop timer? nolindan.com/da/fstop/ "Jack" wrote in message ... Hi I've just tried it and... what should I say... the quality of the items are superb unbelievable clear and separated completely from the background. Wow! Were were you, when I shot my last 200 items? ;-) I can't look at them now, they are so bad. How do I handle droop earrings? They must hang for them to look "real". At the moment I just make a hole in my sheet of paper and stick the earrings in. Any ideas how to "hang" earrings/objects on glass? Thank you for your very valuable time. J uk |
#10
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Clean Objects
Cut earlobe off mistress...
Seriously. Why not glue a few tiny hooks - something a jeweler could cook up -- and crazy-glue the hooks to the glass. You can suspend them with fishing line and then remove the line with photoshop -- but as you said -- 400 times just isn't practical. If you have 400 pics to take then you need to build a semipermanent jig (or jigs) for this: one for pierced ears, one for clip-ons .... -- Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics. psst.. want to buy an f-stop timer? nolindan.com/da/fstop/ "Jack" wrote in message ... That's fine for a few pairs, but not for 400 pieces. A quick release glue? "Nicholas O. Lindan" wrote in message Stick earrings to glass. Raise glass to vertical. Arrange camera & lights .... -- Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics. psst.. want to buy an f-stop timer? nolindan.com/da/fstop/ "Jack" wrote in message ... Hi I've just tried it and... what should I say... the quality of the items are superb unbelievable clear and separated completely from the background. Wow! Were were you, when I shot my last 200 items? ;-) I can't look at them now, they are so bad. How do I handle droop earrings? They must hang for them to look "real". At the moment I just make a hole in my sheet of paper and stick the earrings in. Any ideas how to "hang" earrings/objects on glass? Thank you for your very valuable time. J uk |
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