Hi Peeps,

I have a question which I could do with an answer on urgently if possible....... How do you take a photograph of a trophy??

I have a trophy which one of my directors in work has given to me to get engraved with our department's name etc.

Our department is being featured in our next magazine issue so I took a few photos a couple of days ago of the "team" which are OK(ish) but I need to take a photo of the trophy too.

I've tried from several different angles, with different light scenarios and backgrounds, but none of them look any good as I'm getting terrible reflection from the flash and other lighting sources - even if I close the blinds/curtains.

Is this something that I could possibly be able to capture with a simple point and shoot camera or would I need correct indirect lighting, darkened room etc?

Your advice, as always, is very much appreciated.

Thanks.

Chrissy xx

I had this problem many years ago,cant remeber everything I did but I did take some shots outdoors so the light source was from above and constant rather than flash.
Maybe worth a try
Eddie

I heard that shiny objects (I suppose it's a shiny trophee) are best photographed with a soft overall light and one or two small highlight sources (small in diameter, like a tiny spotlight)... Big highlight sources should in any case best be avoided... I'm sure others will know more about this subject...

Thanks you guys - I tried taking it outside but unfortunately there is too much sunlight and if I shoot it with the sun behind the trophy - all I get is mirror-like reflections off the house/me or anything else that is behind me :(
No worries for now though - I've just dropped it off to get engraved and polished - I'll try again when I get it back - I might just try it on my table at night with just the ceiling lights on (they face upwards to the ceiling so shouldn't create too much direct light on it I suppose?) then add a touch of light if it's too dark in PhotoShop.
Thanks again for your advice - I think I knew the answer before I asked the question, I just don't have the correct studio conditions to do the job properly, so will tweak with a bit of postwork :) xx

I suggest if  you shoot outside, which seems a good idea, use some sort of diffuser ( a scrim)between the trophy and the bright light of the sun.  A white cloth will work if more than sheer and less than a bed sheet in light tranmission.    Again, an overcast day might work best but we can't control that!

This is much like jewelry photography with reflection being the bugaboo.  A light tent or similar method of having diffused light is my opinion on the way to got with artificial lighting. You can move the light around to see reflections..try and see method.. prior to the first shots.

The link shows some types of scrims and pehaps you can get an idea of how to put something together yourself for this photo.  Best wishes.

I suggest if  you shoot outside, which seems a good idea, use some sort of diffuser ( a scrim)between the trophy and the bright light of the sun.  A white cloth will work if more than sheer and less than a bed sheet in light tranmission.    Again, an overcast day might work best but we can't control that!

This is much like jewelry photography with reflection being the bugaboo.  A light tent or similar method of having diffused light is my opinion on the way to got with artificial lighting. You can move the light around to see reflections..try and see method.. prior to the first shots.

The link shows some types of scrims and pehaps you can get an idea of how to put something together yourself for this photo.  Best wishes.

Chrissy, maybe this one won't post twice twice.  A simple light tent can be made with a bed sheet on some sort of support to cover the top and three sides.  One advantage is that flat surfaces will tend to reflect the sheet and not things around the room or outside.  Lights go outside.   Stong incandescent lights will work but be sure to get the white balance set for that kind of light.  Move the lights around to see how reflections look from the camera view.   You may need a tripod or steady support since exposure may be longer than handheld will allow.

It is a suggestion worth a try.  I hope you pull it off just fine.

I'll let you know when I get the trophy back from the engravers - I'll try a bed sheet as you've suggested - it has to be better than my earlier attempts LOL!  And if it doesn't work, then I can always play around in the sheets................. 

Always has to be a plan "B".  LOL>

Attached Link: http://www.karlu.com/product_info.php?cPath=41_550_551&products_id=7770

Very useful site indeed - thank you.
With my birthday coming up in May, just maybe I can convince hubby to buy me some nice things from this place - all I need now is a room big enough to set everything up in without having to take it down and put it away all the time......
Thanks for all your help guys. xx

You can buy photo sprays .  I used to use them when I work in a studio, take photo's of supermarket products.  Yes an exciting life I once had! :~) It will keep the shine the camera will not see it but you do do get any reflected light.