Table top Photography  by Valerie Interligi       Digital Photography      Home

MYLAR TABLETOP PHOTOGRAPHY

Materials needed:

  Display Board- to drape material or hang colored backgrounds

 Mylar (on a roll)- so you can roll it out on the table to accomodate the length you need

Natural Daylight or Portable lights

  Reflector

 Objects to shoot- flowers or any object that's small enough that you can see the reflection in the frame as well (Whatever the height is, will be doubled with the reflection)

 Camera and Tripod

***Ebox  studio set up with 2 lights (for night time)

 I usually make my set up on my dining room table, which gives me enough length to roll out the mylar at least 2 ft. When shooting in the daytime, I set up the display board & mylar on about a 45 degree angle to the window, so the object will be slightly sidelit. I play with a reflector to fill in shadows before shooting and do test shots. With digital cameras, you can see the shot and change anything and everything to make it look right.

   The camera is set up on a tripod facing the set up and you keep playing with anything and everything until you like the results. You have to see the object clearly and see the background reflecting in the mylar as well as behind the subject. Move your camera angle to see that.

   Now that you got that much ready,  you have to squish the mylar to make waves in the  reflection. Move it a little, and check through the viewfinder and keep adjusting until it looks interesting. It Takes a little time and practice, so don't get frustrated, stay with it.

   Remember to check your focus and exposure. I set the aperture at 22-27 and set the shutter speed to the center of the exposure level indicator on the camera. That way I get a great depth of field and everything will be in focus.

   The joy of Digital-you see what's wrong immediately and can fix it for the next shot.

   For film cameras- bracket and use a few different exposures.

*** When shooting at night, I use an EBOX set up which has screens and 2 sidelights that have filters over them so you don't have to change the white balance and the lights filter through the screens for soft light. A very inexpensive little setup.

Whichever way I shoot Mylar or tabletop. I always use reflectors and shoot many many shots. Once in the computer, I can magnify and decide which ones are the best. You can only see so much through the viewfinder and they always look different on the screen.

*I prefer shooting in the daytime, you have more latitude.

Last but not least, It's Photoshop Time!! You can clean up dust, enhance, or do whatever you want to achieve your final photograph!

                                     Have fun and Enjoy!!!