How to photograph a book?

A friend has a book (journal) which has sentimental value and he would like photos of each page (or maybe 2 pages at a time) for the possibility of publishing. What is the proper way to photograph a book?

Stefan

Stefan A wrote in post #11938745
A friend has a book (journal) which has sentimental value and he would like photos of each page (or maybe 2 pages at a time) for the possibility of publishing. What is the proper way to photograph a book?

Stefan

Best procedure is to put your camera on a copy stand, using a macro lens or lens extension ring, with lighting on both sides at 45 degrees. You might also consider cutting a hole just large enough for your lens to fit on in black piece of cardboard large enough to hide your camera, to prevent a reflection of the camera showing up in the image. Best to photograph one page at a time with glass to keep page flat. Under each page you are photographing, place a black sheet of paper to prevent bleed through of any print or photographs. In absence of a copy stand, you can use a tripod, again with lighting on each side at 45 degrees.

Or, use a good quality, fast scanner at a reasonably high resolution. Use color if the pages have color, otherwise gray scale or B&W.

When copying any thing a good trick is to place a piece of black mattboard behind the page you are copying. This will prevent the other side of the page from bleeding through and help you keep the page straight. Your biggest problem will be keeping the binding from causing a shadow on the page. Handle it with care the pages will come out easier than you think. If you photograph you may need to polarize your light sources to prevent glare on the pages. If you use a scanner this won't be an issue.


Sorry i just realized Gizmo coverd this in his post.

I would say the best bet is to copy it using a high quality scanner. Taking a picture of a book like your friend needs is going to take alot of time and patience. Even scanning will take alot of time.

A book is 2D and unless you have a 2D lenes for your camera or better yet a rail camera ....
use the flatbed scanner. A 3D camera will distort flat artwork and thats while
the muesum's and such used a special 2D rail camera in past but now use scanners.
Scanner is faster better and matches 2D to 2D.

Great - thanks for the tips.