The Amazing 1D - Re: Product Shots

[jadams]

Well, this weekend was one of the dreaded weekends. A mail order company usually has me come in and do product shots a few times a year of their fabrics to be used in their catalog or website.

Usually I dread it (I still do it because they're nice people and it's been a consistent thing which helps plan cash flow).

In the past I had to bring the fabrics back to my studio where I had controlled lighting, and I shot them on film. It took forever, and I STILL had to shoot things several times and reshoot others. In case you don't realize, fabric buyers are VERY specific when it comes to color reproduction. One year I thought I'd try digital on a camera that I bought for a family member -- ha! What a joke -- I didn't use a single shot.

Would you believe I shot everything for this season in their warehouse using only available "awful" lighting? I setup my tripod over a card table. I shot one white balance shot using a white card.

I went from color to color, texture to texture, without a single problem. The photos are GREAT! I zoomed in on Photoshop and could actually see the weave in some of the fabrics that I couldn't even see with just my eyes.

I put a few "web quality" samples in my gallery so you can see how great everything went.

http://www.pbase.com/jadams/fabric

Jasper

[darrell]

Digital Rules. I haven't shot film in over a year now, and haven't missed it.

[mrdinh]

its just going to get better from here!!!!

[AdrianvBarrera]

Very nice images.




Adrian

[earl_damron]

jadams wrote:
Would you believe I shot everything for this season in their warehouse using only available "awful" lighting? I setup my tripod over a card table. I shot one white balance shot using a white card.


This question is a little off-topic I suppose.....you mentioned a white card.

When I was first reading about my D60 after getting it, I came across the white card recommendation. I thought it would be a great way to get spot on white balance.

Ever since, I've asked someone in EVERY camera shop I've been in for a white card, and all they do is look at me funny. Since the normal percentage of people who think I actually look funny is normally lower, I figure it's got to be the card.

Is the card actually white, or is "white card" just another name for a gray card. Many have offered me one of those, but I haven't purchased anything yet.

If it is really a white card, where can I get one?

Thanks

[jadams]

Ummm... I used exactly what we're both thinking -- a card that's white. :)

I have a 1D, and from what I've read you should set the White Balance on this camera from a White Card. I don't know about the D60/30 but I've read a lot about people using a 18% Gray Card with this camera.

Can anyone else comment on this? I've just been using a thick piece of plastic with a "pure white matte finish". I've been getting great results, but am I doing it wrong? Should I be using a 18% Gray Card?

I asked for a "white card" from a print shop. I think that the card I'm actually using is a Pantone Reference Card. I can't tell you where to get one since I really don't know what I have. I am friendly with a local shop, so I just went in and said I need something kinda heavy that has a pure white reflective but non-reflective finish. Surprisingly, he seemed to know what I wanted and handed me this.

Though, I have to admit that when I've seen any other photographers shooting digital they always use the 18% Gray Cards. :) I seem to recall Pekka saying that you could use either, but most people use the gray card because it's easier to get a color cast on your white card (especially if it's reflective) and that can fool your white balance settings.

Hopefully someone can direct us both....

Jasper

[earl_damron]

The D60 manual on page 66 describes Custom White Balance Setting and just says "take a picture of a white subject" (as the first instruction).

I guess the main thing I'm concerned about is getting a "true white" card. I hate to take a chance on something I thought was white being a little off. Then, all my photos would be a little off as well....right?

I have this picture in my mind of a true white little plastic card that I can just stick in my camera bag and use whenever I need to. Seems simple right? I guess I'll need to make something, and hope it's true white.

[jadams]

earl_damron wrote:
I have this picture in my mind of a true white little plastic card that I can just stick in my camera bag and use whenever I need to. Seems simple right? I guess I'll need to make something, and hope it's true white.

If that's what you want, try to find a Pantone Reference Card someplace. That's what I have. It's exactly what you described above. And printers use the Pantone Reference cards to make sure that they're printing the "right" colors.

Check out this link for some more information in another thread:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/viewtopic.php?TopicID=7328

Jasper