Topic: Photographing clear and translucent glass on a light table

[dirk.]

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!

[dirk.]

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[Paul S.]

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.

[Anne]

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?

[flying free]

Perfect photos that show off all the details.  Very envious.
m

[dirk.]

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.

[Paul S.]

oh no!!!    and I've just been out and bought an expensively large sheet of 2mm  !!  .............                 hope to let you see some results when it's made Dirk.

[Paul S.]

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.

[dirk.]

Great! Please let us know about the outcome. 

Or was it 4mm?? Mmmh, need to measure again.... 

[Anne Tique]

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  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.