say that the result I do not mind, considering the tools I used.
This is a brief explanation of how I got this picture. Although an image of impact (at least for me) the equipment used is just a little.
For this picture should be:
- An iPod Mini (or any object you like to photograph)
- A table (above all to support us):)
- camera with telephoto lens (I used the Sigma 70 -200 to 160mm). This is to crush a bit 'perspective, as well as to blur the background more
- Tripod (key using a table lamp)
- sheet of paper with glossy finish, size about 50x70 cm, has the function of covering the floor support and the background, attached to a support (I I used the wall and a piece of tape!)
- Some sheets of copy paper, will serve as reflectors
- A light source (I used a table lamp with a 40W incandescent bulb)
turn on the light that will be used to illuminate the subject (all the others are off, the curtains closed, windows boarded up ... well, not this, but there should be no other source of light to illuminate the subject: you may see blue highlights on the subject or the background) and make a measurement of the white balance (on the Nikon menu, select White Balance, PRE, Size, and take a picture of the background lights).
Place the object in a pleasant way and we choose the most suitable composition. The long focal lens is also used to be able to use a little more background: the goal is more long, the lower portion of the background which will appear in the image.
The pattern of light in this photo includes a single light that, contrary to what one might think, illuminating the background. The light hits the background in fact, spreads and back, creating a shadow divergent directed towards the observer. This gives a better sense of depth. In the case also sheds light on the top of the iPod, which is polished and then will be very clear.
To illuminate the front there are two reflectors, one on each side, made by folding two sheets of copy paper.
panels create two vertical reflections that extend along the entire height of the iPod, emphasizing the roundness of the side edges. Illuminate the rest of the front face, in particular the ring that lets you select the songs.
The screen is a problem. Taking pictures off an iPod does not sense, have you ever seen an advertisement for a music player off? With the backlight off is too dark and not read the inscriptions. When you turn the backlight that is almost blinding (remember that the room is pretty dark ...) and, at least in the iPod Mini, you can adjust the intensity.
Here the procedure is divided in two possible ways: if the lamp is powerful enough that we're using can counter the strong illumination of the screen, and we have a balanced picture. If the lamp is not strong enough (like mine) have to make a single click the screen and overlay it with the original Photoshop.
In my case the lamp was slightly too little power, I had to do a screen shot of dodging a stop.
At this point the phase of shooting is almost over: we focus on the front face, chiudamo the aperture (f8 or more) and find the correct exposure by doing some test shots.
with any image editor open the base image, we make the normal adjustments of contrast, color and remove any dust from the sensor (in addition to the inevitable scratches that has an ipod after 4 years of use ...). Now superimpose the screen display correctly using layer masks.
Sharpen with a little 'to sharpen, and the picture is over!
