photographing subjects with mirrors

[vfilby]

OK, my editor wants a picture of some one holding a product with the product in the foreground (not the reflection) and a reflection of a person holding the product in the mirror. The problem I have is that when set the frame so that the product occupies most of it then the reflection seems to be foreign. However when you zoom out to capture more of the reflection, so that it looks correct, the product occupies a small amount of the frame and is not the centre of attention.

Does this make any sense?

[Jon]

Bounce it off a couple of other mirrors from in front at 45 deg.angles.

[vfilby]

Just to clarify: I understand what the editor wants. I just am having trouble making it work.

Could you explain just a bit more Jon. I am alittle dense.

Thanks,

[robertwgross]

Explain what you mean by foreign.

You might be having an focus problem, but we don't know what kind of camera is involved.

Think of it this way. Suppose the camera-to-subject distance is three feet. Then suppose the mirror is three feet behind the subject. Your camera might get an autofocus lock on the subject at three feet. However, it might get an autofocus lock at nine feet, because the back of the subject is that distance when reflected off the mirror. Depending on how you frame it, the camera might be struggling between one or the other focus lock points.

---Bob Gross---

[Jon]

Try positioning two mirrors at right angles to each other and in front of the subject (leaving a gap for the lens to see through, obviously). Set up the third mirror, that you're going to photograph the reflection in, by or behind the "live" subject so you see the (smaller) reflection in it. You're bouncing the image off mirror 1 (in front) over to mirror 2 (also in front), then onto mirror 3 (in back, in the picture). The increased light path for the reflection over a direct reflection will mean a smaller reflected image. You might have to play around with the various angles of the mirrors to get exactly what you needbut this should get you going.

[vfilby]

Alright, here is the requested detail. The photo is of a pill bottle so I am framing the pill bottle tightly. I want the pill bottle to be the main focus so it is the largest object in the frame. Because of this I am working very close to the mirror. The editor wants the hand and bottle in the foreground (unreflected) and he wants a reflection of a person holding the bottle in the mirror. The bottle is about a foot from the mirror and I am about another 1-2 feet from the bottle.

Now if I frame the bottle tightly I don't get enough of the reflection to clearly show it is a mirror, and the reflection just looks like it doesn't fit with the photo. Like it has been added. If I zoom out (step back) then I get more of the mirror but the bottle is no longer the main focus.

Now here come the BIG problem. If the person is looking at the reflection of the bottle then it doesn't quite look right. But if I position their head so that they are looking at the actual bottle it looks worse. I had to include more of the reflection _or_ the preson in front of the mirror to show that it is indeed a mirror.

Equipment: 300D, 50mm mkII, manual focus 550EX equivalent bounced backwards with a diffuser to add light but not create severe specular reflections.

I took about 20 shots earlier this afternoon and about 3 looked pretty good, but not quite what the editor wanted so we'll see what he says. I'll see if I can post an example.

Vince

[Big_B]

I think you would get much more useful responses if you could post some examples.

BB

[vfilby]

Try positioning two mirrors at right angles to each other and in front of the subject (leaving a gap for the lens to see through, obviously). Set up the third mirror, that you're going to photograph the reflection in, by or behind the "live" subject so you see the (smaller) reflection in it. You're bouncing the image off mirror 1 (in front) over to mirror 2 (also in front), then onto mirror 3 (in back, in the picture). The increased light path for the reflection over a direct reflection will mean a smaller reflected image. You might have to play around with the various angles of the mirrors to get exactly what you needbut this should get you going.

Thanks Jon. I will be unable to use this now, but I understand and I will keep it in mind for future projects.

Thanks,

[PacAce]

Have you considered using a wider angle lens. It seems like the 50mm lens isn't wide enough for your purpose.

[vfilby]

Have you considered using a wider angle lens. It seems like the 50mm lens isn't wide enough for your purpose.

Yes I have, but I don't want the subject of the photo (a pill bottle) to get lost, I want it to be prominent. Also the only wide lens I have is the 18-55 efs which isn't the sharpest lens.

I think I may have photos that work but I am not sure if I can post them. I'll find out soon.

Cheers,

[Scottes]

If possible, use color/lightness to bring attention to the pill bottle. If it's the brightest thing in the picture the eye will be drawn to it naturally. Use of leading lines may also help. You aren't limited to using only size to draw attention to a subject.

Unless, of course, the editor guy demands it. :(

[vfilby]

If possible, use color/lightness to bring attention to the pill bottle. If it's the brightest thing in the picture the eye will be drawn to it naturally. Use of leading lines may also help. You aren't limited to using only size to draw attention to a subject.

Unless, of course, the editor guy demands it. :(

Point well taken. If I have to redo some of the pictures, I will keep that in mind. I presumed that the lettering on the bottle needed to be shown clearly, but that might not be the case.

Cheers,

[iwatkins]

I would also attempt the shot with a very wide angle lens and get in very close to the bottle. Will require tripod mounting and using a large depth of field to get the person in focus as well, but should work.

Cheers

Ian

[Radtech1]

I don't know of the architecure of your studo will allow this, but step futher back - several feet - and use a longer lens. Get that 75-300 working for you.

Rad