Metal flake

[cameraman51]

Does anyone have any techniques they can reccommend for shooting metal flake finishes in the studio. In my case it's a bicycle so there aren't large flat surfaces obviously just a bunch of tubes. Thanks.

[rigshots]

I'm not sure what you mean by 'metal flake' and assume you mean a metallic paint. Metallic colours 'pop' when lit with direct light. Even though you might be shooting in a studio with lots of soft or indirect light the metallic needs some direct light reflecting into the lens to make the colour 'pop'.

This bike is a metallic colour which looked a drab mustard colour in the overcast conditions in which it was shot (very similar to the soft light in a studio). There was no sense of the bright gold you see here. It really needed direct sun or bright light to make the metallic 'pop'.

http://www.rigshots.com.au/images/light101/l_155_400.jpg


There's more info about the above image here (http://www.rigshots.com.au/cl_099.htm) and a description of how to light these kinds of cars (or bikes) here (http://www.rigshots.com.au/howto3.htm#Specular_highlights).

JJ

[PhotosGuy]

in the studio. Do you have a big flat, or white wall? Put the light on it/them so they reflect in the bike. Like the sky is reflecting in these:
Post #4:
'65 Mustang "Best of Show"! (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=146399)

Some shots of Jim's '68 AMX (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=393917)

[cameraman51]

The reflection from large panels or softboxes may provide a gradated effect on the surface but, as rig shots points out, you need hard light to pop the flake. I saw an example of a fellow painting his BMW with flash that looks like it might do the trick. Next time it comes up I'll try that first and let y'all know how it works. Thanks for posting!