Photographing Stainless Steel

[Lacyt]

I am using a 35mm SLR film camera for this following project, but my question is equally applicable to digital.

I've constructed the correct indoor lighting setup to successfully shoot my 8-inch tall mirror finish stainless steel figurines that I sell on eBay and my website. Bounced light only! I've used a stark white background (box) and did get the detail and highlights I needed. But to achieve the greatest separation of subject to background and bring up the subjects' intricate exquisite details, a dark background definitely seems in order. Dark velvet fabrics appeal.

To achieve the exposure that best features the subjects, should I read both the subject's light and the background's, and use the average of those two for my exposure? Should I use a gray card? Any other ideas?

[stopbath]

Simple way is to use a grey card.

Alternatively you could read the shadows and highlights and use the zone system to get the best exposure.

It's meaningless to 'average' two readings (averaging readings works on 'average' subjects that contain lots of different light values.)

[Conk]

I for one would like to see a link to your web site.

[Lacyt]

I for one would like to see a link to your web site.

At present, I have only two of these figures. My younger brother is making numerous unique designs that he hasn't sent me yet (he's in Kansas; I'm in Texas). All are his own original designs which he makes himself by hand with his plasma welder and then hand polishes them as well.

He will be shipping representation pieces of the full line to me this weekend. I should have them photographed and his new site completed and online very shortly. Once it is up and running, I will definitely post the link to it here!

Thanks for your help!

PC

[Conk]

I'm looking forward to it. I do a lot of stainless fabrication and polishing at work also.