How do I shoot a boat propeller?

04/09/2008 01:14:39 AM · #1

I have an assignment to shoot a 5-blade boat propeller, but the reflections are killing me! It's not so much the room reflections, but the lights are reflecting like crazy. What should I do??

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-135mm f/3.5-4.5

04/09/2008 01:19:05 AM · #2

Go an art supply store and get a can of matte spray. That will help quite a bit. Those are a real pain to shoot, aren't they?

R.

C_Steve_G

Apple iPhone 12

04/09/2008 01:20:38 AM · #3

Then, when you call it a screw, ya won't be a land lubber anymore, har, har. mate.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

04/09/2008 01:25:46 AM · #4

Light tent? White umbrella with a little hole near the center for your lens? Overcast day outside? Is it on the boat, or in the water?
Shiny things are tough to get without highlights and reflections. The more even the light, the better. Polarizer may help a little too, since it is metal.
It's that darn fifth blade that causes all the trouble.

rstosky

Nikon D300

04/09/2008 01:28:49 AM · #5

Can you put the propeller into a light tent? (I'm assuming it is chrome or polished aluminum and its curved surfaces are reflecting your lights)

04/09/2008 01:30:34 AM · #6

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

Polarizer is almost useless on metal.

R.

04/09/2008 01:31:25 AM · #7

Originally posted by rstosky:

Can you put the propeller into a light tent? (I'm assuming it is chrome or polished aluminum and its curved surfaces are reflecting your lights)

Or brass, polished brass. For big screws, that's the most common.

R.

04/09/2008 01:31:42 AM · #8

Originally posted by C_Steve_G:

Then, when you call it a screw, ya won't be a land lubber anymore, har, har. mate.

Or a "wheel" :-)

R.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/09/2008 02:18:08 AM · #9

Ok, so I've tried a light tent, polarizer, etc, and it's still insane. The way this prop is made and how it's so smooth is killing me. Here's what it looks like -

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

04/09/2008 02:19:15 AM · #10

Melt it down and cast it into a Hammer mold. Hammers are easier to photograph.

04/09/2008 02:20:55 AM · #11

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Melt it down and cast it into a Hammer mold. Hammers are easier to photograph.

I would but I don't have the wooden hammer handle. Any other suggestions??

04/09/2008 02:37:17 AM · #12

I like the lightning bolt down the side of the hub in the photo.
Maybe you can find some way to take advantage of the shiny effect.
I like BM's suggestion about the flat paint best so far.

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

04/09/2008 02:37:59 AM · #13

Oops, double post.

Message edited by author 2008-04-09 02:38:21.

sanjivdada

Nikon D800

04/09/2008 03:43:35 AM · #14

Originally posted by Tom:

Ok, so I've tried a light tent, polarizer, etc, and it's still insane. The way this prop is made and how it's so smooth is killing me. Here's what it looks like -

Tom as per your pic propeller is catching reflection of base & background.Steel or any other reflective metal will catch reflections of surroundings.I have one suggestion shoot it on white background .I think tent will solve this problem if u shoot on white background.For giving dimension u can use black paper to create outlines of product. If U dont have Tent then use Gateway sheet for that.

04/09/2008 03:04:40 PM · #15

How's this work for everyone? It's lit using 2 off-camera flashes. One is in the back left (behind the prop) and the other is in the front right. It's covered with a white foam board, has white foam on either side, and a black sheet in the back.

It's going in a magazine so it needs to be perfect :)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

04/09/2008 11:54:02 PM · #16

That's much better than the first pic. It's very dark though.
That's a hard to photograph item because of all the curves and burnished surfaces from the polishing operation. It becomes sort of a group of mirrors.

Have you thought about using a shadow box and adding just enough front light to get a good effect? My brother and I used to photograph electronic parts that way for a local manufacturer. A light table and tent type shot might work too.

Message edited by author 2008-04-10 00:04:24.

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/10/2008 12:21:37 AM · #17

I would be tempted to shoot it on a black base and background outside on a cloudy day and in black and white, that way you still have the inital feel of the posted pics and you will have some nice reflections to show off the curves of the blades...

Just my opinion...

-dave

jmlelii

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

04/10/2008 12:26:53 AM · #18

I think you need to go about this the same way as you would photographing a car in the studio. You need to get the lights as far away as possible. I have a friend who does some car ad's that does a lot of the shooting in the studio, and he's always got his lighting 20-30 feet away from the vehicle (except for the overhead 20x30 foot softbox). Might try it that way? Of course, you would want to proportion it relative to the size of the propeller.

Mick

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

04/10/2008 03:36:09 AM · #19

Shoot it without any light. That way you won't have all those pesky reflections.

Alternatively, take it to Iceland and shoot it in a bleak landscape with a cloudy sky. Then burn the hell out of the clouds in Photoshop to make it look more dramatic. Then you don't have to worry about the blown highlights.

LalliSig

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

04/10/2008 06:09:22 AM · #20

If I were shooting a boat propeller, I would use a torpedo!

:P

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

04/10/2008 11:28:40 AM · #21

I wish I could shoot it in Iceland! I would just plop it infront of one of their waterfalls, and have the most perfect picture ever.

But I think I've got it, and I've handed it off to the magazine so in June or something you guys need to check out Powerboat Magazine. I'll let you know when and give you the heads up

jmlelii

Nikon D850

04/10/2008 04:34:12 PM · #22

Originally posted by Tom:

You should buy everyone a copy =)