Bad reflection on flash shot

[r2160]

Hi all

Been trying to take some product shots for myself. The shots themselves arent too bad I guess but I get quite bad reflection from the flash (SB800).

The flash is mounted on the camera.

Is the solution the remote use of the flash. ie taking it off the camera and putting it on a different angle.

What would you all suggest?

thanks
Glenn

[Mal]

Glenn any chance of posting one of the images you are talking about? This will give other members an idea of your problem and a good way to fix it.

[leek]

A few suggestions - use one or all of them together:
- Use a Lightsphere PJ
- Use the SB-800 in remote mode off to the side
- Get yourself a light-tent BTW - long time no see Glenn...

[r2160]

Hi leek

I have been very busy, really missing the mini meets. I have learnt so much from everybody but I have started a new business and it has kept me very busy. These shots are for my website.

http://www.pixspot.com/displayimage.php ... at=0&pos=0

See if this link works.

Thanks
Glenn

[marcotrov]

Ditto with Leek. You could also add to the list, bounce the SB800 off white/gold/silver etc card/reflector either tilt head up to the side depending on effect you want. This is probably least expensive of the options.
cheers
marco

[avkomp]

direct flash will do that to you.

you could use a diffuser or bounce the flash, but if you are doing this on an ongoing basis, you should look at a light tent arrangement

I made a povo-model out of some conduit I had here as per this article:

http://www.pbase.com/otfchallenge/light_box
see also this url showing the contraption in use
http://www.pbase.com/bowlingranny/soft_box
in the past I have opened my tripod out and wrapped a white sheet around it for a similar effect.


Steve

[christiand]

Hi Steve,

Very nice light tent.

Could you show us an example or two of product shots taken with this light tent ?

Regards,
CD BTW I found and bought a fold up fluro daylight lamp.
Its colour of light is very very close to daylight colour.
Have a look at
http://au.daylightcompany.com/product.plm//26

[avkomp]

Cd: I dont take product shots, I only dick around, but the dicking I did showed me that it worked!

I just saw this article once and stored it away for later use and built one up for something to do once. works well though. no reflections. even lighting

steve

[Matt. K]

Try taking the objects outside and shoot them in the shade. Simple. Works well.

[leek]

Try taking the objects outside and shoot them in the shade. Simple. Works well.

Awww... too easy Matt...
and it doesn't involve buying anything - where's the fun in that

[r2160]

Thanks for the replies guys.

So to go one step further, to make the flash remote, what is the part number of the lead that I require?

Glenn

[Aussie Dave]

You should be able to shoot this indoors, with the room lights on or close by a window. Stick the D70 onto a tripod, set the timer and just use a long enough shutter speed to give good exposure. You don't "need" to use a flash....as the product is not likely to move or run away

NB. if you do use the room lighting, remember to change your WB settings (if not in-camera), afterwards in PP....

[leek]

Thanks for the replies guys.

So to go one step further, to make the flash remote, what is the part number of the lead that I require?

Glenn

Here's the best bit... You don't need a lead

Put your SB-800 in remote mode and switch your on-board flash to Commander mode and the onboard flash will trigger the SB-800 wirelessly...

It's all in the SB-800 manual, but if you can't figure it out or need more detailed instructions, then shout... There's a few threads here that describe the process in more detail - try searching for Commander

[gstark]

Lots of good suggestions here.

One other one that's not yet been made is to perhaps remove the product from its packaging, if you can.

But when shooting these sorts of images, take care and observe your backgrounds; don't make them distracting.

Try to get the light source as even as you can: matt's suggestion of shooting outdoors, in the shade, is very good, but pay attention to your WB settings in that instance.

A light tent is a great accessory, and if you can't afford to buy one (the vendors here still think they can rip off the consumers) look in your local dollar shop for a cheap, large, white transluscent storage container.

Get your neighbourhood bully to punch a small hole - a viewport for your lens - in the side and use some foam core board as the support medium for your subject, and your in business for arund $10. Place your subject on the FCB, invert the storage container over the subject, and shoot through your viewport.

If you're unhappy with the light, a couple of el-cheapo worklights from your local hardware store will give you adequate light, and extra warmth in winter into the bargain.

[Matt. K]

One other trick....If you place a large sheet of black cardboard between the camera and the subject...with a hole cut in it to poke the lens through...then the reflections will be minimised drastically.

[r2160]

Thanks for the replies so far guys.

I am almost there. I have figured out how to set the flash (I think) to remote mode, but I think I have to set the camera to master?

thanks
Glenn

[losfp]

This is how I do it. On the flash, set it to remote (slave).. Channel 3, Group A. Don't ask me why, it just seems to be how to do it!!

On the camera, set the flash mode to Commander iTTL (menu #19 I think?).

Point and shoot.

[r2160]

I must be doing something wrong. When attempting to access menu 19 it is greyed out.

???????????

thanks
Glenn

[losfp]

Luckily for you, I actually have my camera with me at work today! So I just went and had a quick look...

The menu item is greyed out when you have the camera in auto mode, or are using one of the special program modes, like sport, portrait etc.

Use M, A, S or P.

[r2160]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Your a champion. Works like a charm!!! I cant wait to get home and try the setup for real now!

By the way, I even went so far as to price up some solutions last night.

The infrared remote setup for the flash was a stunning $800 #$&*((&%^

The SU4 lead was a mind blowing $209!

Thank god this works!

thanks
Glenn