Shooting large slabs of stone

[SHANGHAi]

I work as a graphic designer and had a client come in with "professional photos taken by a friend" of large slabs of stone that he sells. When I took a look at them, I could immediately tell that, well, they needed work. These pictures are going to print at least around 4x6 in a catalogue and I could hardly use any. Examples:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/deceiving/CRW_2001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/deceiving/CRW_2011.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/deceiving/CRW_2038.jpg

So I offered my photography services to reshoot these. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to do so? Taking them outside can lead to harsh lighting conditions... and I'm not sure I want to consider indoors since it will be inside a warehouse with super high ceilings.

Also, some of the stone are really shiny and produce reflections. Should I pick up a polarizer for this shoot or is it not going to help?

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

[TechJ]

How about some white sheets hung above the stones to soften the light and some reflectors to the side & front?

[SHANGHAi]

Hmm... I was hoping there'd be a simpler solution. These things are quite large... I'm really not sure I can reach the top either lol.

[chtgrubbs]

I would shoot them like paintings: A studio strobe unit on each side at 45deg with a polarizer gel over the lights and a polarizer on your lens. This would eliminate any specular highlights from the lighting and brings out the maximum color in the stone.

This is called "cross polarization" and may eliminate all reflections. But if you have reflections of the camera or background in the glossy surface, put the camera on a tripod and drape it with black fabric. Now hang a roll of black seamless paper just behind the camera. Use the self-timer on the camera so you can trip the shutter and get out of the scene. If the shiny surface "sees" nothing but black then there won't be any reflections.

[Mike Panic]

this is what you need to tell the client. im sure that the stone he sells is very spendy... in order to attract a decent clientel he/ she will need to send out a quality catalog w/ high end quality shots. you don't sell a benz's out of a beat up old garage... you have a nice showroom w/ leather couches.

catalog product photography is often never figured into a budget, so its last minute... but its the ONLY thing that a LOT of customers will see. crappy photos means that they prob won't come into the store to see the high quality stone that is really there

that, along w/ a custom white balance to give accurate color represntation is a must.

[PhotosGuy]

2 45-degree lights should work. If you hang a roll of black seamless paper just in front of the camera, you can probably cut a hole in it for the lens. I wouldn't expect a reflection from the lens to show if you can shoot at a slight angle.

[SHANGHAi]

Sounds like I'm going to need a nice, big piece of black cloth or paper. Will probably need to rent stands along with it. How much does this usually cost to rent?

[PhotosGuy]

I'd suggest that you ask at a local camera shop or TV station for a lighting/props supply co.

White 53"x36' Seamless Background Paper (http://www.goemerchant1.com/index.cgi?ST=&Merchant=belgerphotography&PageToView=catalog&Department=127640)

Velour @ B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=1394)

Savage 12' Seamless - #20-140 (Super Black) (http://www.studiodepot.com/store/index.cgi?cmd=view_category&parent=1013&id=1175)

[DocFrankenstein]

I would shoot them like paintings: A studio strobe unit on each side at 45deg with a polarizer gel over the lights and a polarizer on your lens. This would eliminate any specular highlights from the lighting and brings out the maximum color in the stone.

This is called "cross polarization" and may eliminate all reflections.
Do you really need a polarizer on both the lights AND the camera?

Why not just on one of them?

I'd imagine the first thing to do is to turn off the on camera flash.

[PhotosGuy]

Do you really need a polarizer on both the lights AND the camera?
Why not just on one of them? It was used that way for paintings with texture back when. For a flat surface like the stone, I don't think you'd need any polarizer at all as long as you avoided any reflections which shouldn't be too hard to do.