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Author Topic: Photographing clear and translucent glass on a light table  (Read 26730 times)

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Offline dirk.

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Photographing clear and translucent glass on a light table
« on: June 02, 2016, 05:29:05 PM »
On special request. Someone asked how I achieved my photographs of clear glass.
I use a light table, which I built myself. It simply consists of a 2mm translucent white perspex and a wooden frame.
The perspex was bent using a hot-air gun.
Usually I take all my pictures with just a single 150W bulb, placed just behind the bend so the objects are back-lit.
The table works great on clear and translucent glass, but not very well on opaque objects unless you use additional
lighting.
If you use a small angle for the photographs the perspex gives an additional mirror image of the object.
I´m using irfanview  on most pictures to adjust the colours.
Few examples are added - hope you enjoy!
"Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others." - Groucho Marx

...working on it...
https://picasaweb.google.com/108140812446658939096

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Offline dirk.

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Re: Photographing clear and translucent glass on a light table
« Reply #1 on: June 02, 2016, 05:32:23 PM »
.
"Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others." - Groucho Marx

...working on it...
https://picasaweb.google.com/108140812446658939096

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Offline Paul S.

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Re: Photographing clear and translucent glass on a light table
« Reply #2 on: June 02, 2016, 06:01:51 PM »
since it was me that asked the question Dirk, then a big thanks for taking the time to reply. :)

It looks simple enough to construct, so I shall attempt to copy your equipment  -  thanks also for the pictures showing some glass photographed with this method  -  I'm very impressed with the results.

I also use Irfanview, but only for re-sizing  -  for editing the contrast, colour etc., I still use Picasa and seem to get on o.k.

thanks again.

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Offline Anne

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Re: Photographing clear and translucent glass on a light table
« Reply #3 on: June 02, 2016, 07:44:57 PM »
That is so simple yet so effective, Dirk, thanks for showing us. I assume the 2mm perspex is fairly easy to bend to that curve? How does it cope with heavy items, is there any bend in the perspex?
Cheers! Anne, da tekniqual wizzerd
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Offline flying free

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Re: Photographing clear and translucent glass on a light table
« Reply #4 on: June 02, 2016, 08:10:56 PM »
Perfect photos that show off all the details.  Very envious. :)
m

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Offline dirk.

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Re: Photographing clear and translucent glass on a light table
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2016, 04:57:20 AM »
Thank you all!
Measured the perspex again - sorry, it´s 3mm actually.  ::)
You need to make sure it´s the bendable variety of plexiglass. I´ve used the following method to bend it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoozlMBLcW4
Make sure you´re only using one clamp! The perspex expands and it might get rippled otherwise.
The strength of the perspex, the frame and the bend make it stable enough for objects of a few kg and
should be ok most of our photographing purposes.
I´ve chosen to make the bend after a third of the whole plate. This way you can use it flat for bowls etc. or
place it the other way for taller objects.
"Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others." - Groucho Marx

...working on it...
https://picasaweb.google.com/108140812446658939096

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Offline Paul S.

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Re: Photographing clear and translucent glass on a light table
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2016, 07:25:01 AM »
oh no!!!    and I've just been out and bought an expensively large sheet of 2mm  !!  .............     ;) ;) ;D           hope to let you see some results when it's made Dirk. :)

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Offline Paul S.

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Re: Photographing clear and translucent glass on a light table
« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2016, 05:46:12 PM »
have now found a local supplier of acrylic (which is the formable/bendable type)..........     it would appear that the particular acrylic as described by Dirk, in the U.K. is called Opal 050 in 3mm thickness.          Hope it all goes to plan.

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Offline dirk.

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Re: Photographing clear and translucent glass on a light table
« Reply #8 on: June 03, 2016, 07:16:00 PM »
Great! Please let us know about the outcome.  :)

Or was it 4mm?? Mmmh, need to measure again....  ;D
"Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others." - Groucho Marx

...working on it...
https://picasaweb.google.com/108140812446658939096

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Offline Anne Tique

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Re: Photographing clear and translucent glass on a light table
« Reply #9 on: June 04, 2016, 11:14:35 AM »
Excellent results with the table, looks really professional.

Unfortunately my DIY skills are not ... well, they don't exist... but I'm good at improvising.

I got myself a large, A3 I think, sheet of thick paper with a light, satin finish. I've bend it into a 'U' shape to create an 'endless horizon', and slid it in a large box and attached it with tape, to hold it in place.

The box is then put on one side et voilà  ;D my homemade and improvised photo studio.

I direct the light, like Dirk, towards the back from both sides, to create a sort of halo and white LED light, imo, gives the nicest results.

I then crop the images, play around a little with a programme to enhance quality, colour and light, and my pictures are good to go.

Underneath some results, they're all made in the box.

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