| This is the set up for the photo shown below. The camera is mounted on the tripod with the articulating center post; this configuration is not very stable, so the use of the timer, wireless remote, or the release cable is essential for a sharp photo. To the right is the AC slave strobe aimed at a piece of white poster board. Poster board in this case takes the place of an umbrella to bounce the light; umbrellas quickly get dirty when taking construction photos; poster board on the other hand is inexpensive and can be thrown out when soiled. The strobe placed as shown, probably comes too straight on, but it is somewhat angled off to the side of the camera, providing some shadows to highlight the shoulders on the dovetails. In the ceiling mounted pull chain fixture, is the 85 watt fluorescent lamp (see upper left of photo). Had the subject been a lower relief piece, I would have mounted the lamp in a light stand and had its light coming in at a lower angle. For the actual photo, all other lights were turned off and the window blind was opened. When it is dark out, I place a 500 watt tungsten lamp outside the window and cover the window with white paper, this adequately replicates natural light, because it results in the window being overexposed (blown out). |
