I guess photographers need to be flexible. My employer needed some large fabric samples photographed so that they can be used to display on products for viewing on the web. We had 54 samples that arrived in a big box and we had to provide hi-res images at a constant scale. The sample sizes ranges from 24 - 40in in various shapes. After a lot of experimentation, we finally decided it would be easier to mount each sample (after it was ironed) on a 24x36 piece of illustration board with binder clips, position this at a standard location in front of my camera setup. We used two Speedlights for illumination. It ended up taking us a lot longer than planned (don't these things always turn out that way?), but we learned a few good lessons from the experience.
1) don't do these kind of projects unless you can charge by the sample (at least $50 each). Remember this is photography, and after the shoot requires post processing, color balance, sharpening, etc.
2) lighting is critical. It's difficult to get constant/flat illumination from 2 Speedlights, even on the small samples. We managed to pull it off because the lighting was not that critical on most of the samples.
3) to check to see the light falloff, shoot a BLACK background. You will be able to see exactly the light pattern, the hot spots and how the light falls off. This wasn't apparent to me until I shot a dark sample and noticed the gradient, then the black board told all.
It was a good experience but not a good way to spend a weekend.
Question: would you buy a quilt with these patterns?
Yesterday we attended a beautiful wedding service for Dorian's best friend. It was held at Amelia Island on the beach and it was just the perfect setup. Now when you get invited to these things you always wonder, do I bring all my camera gear or is this a job for the G7? Sometimes you want to be able to just enjoy the event, without have to schlunck around 30 lbs worth of gear. I wasn't the official photographer but Dorian told it it would be "nice" if I could take some pictures. Ok, exactly what does that mean, do I take my stuff or not...take your stuff.
We arrive early and it is a perfect cloudy day, soft breeze, and the "real" photographer must have loved it. I was trying to find the best strategic place to sit since I knew I was not going to be wandering around during the ceremony. We found a good spot, 2nd row and I plopped my stuff down. As all the people started coming in and filling up the seats one of the sons came over and asked us to move because there would be some relatives taking the second row. Geesh, no more seats left, glad I came early. So we relocated and I chose to move one row back but towards the far end. As the time approached we could see the wedding party approaching and everyone got up. There goes the view, shooting through 15 layers of bodies just doesn't work.
