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Taking good quality pictures of glass objects can seem intimidating.  However, there are some simple techniques which even amateur photographers can use to obtain dramatic results with minimal effort.   The following examples show several basic setups that should allow anyone to achieve results they can be proud of. The first technique is a favorite of many hired professionals who need to get instant, fast, clean shots of clear glass. The second and third techniques illustrate dark field and light field photography (don’t be intimidated by the terminology the techniques are actually quite simple). The last technique is a personal favorite, under lighting Under lighting some glass or acrylic objects can give you very dramatic, impressive results. The technique you choose depends on the style you prefer and the results you are trying to achieve.

These images were all obtained using an inexpensive two megapixel digital camera.  To simplify our setup we used an EZcube^® light tent to diffuse the light and provide the seamless background. We used a photoflood light set with daylight balanced bulbs as the main light source and a daylight balanced illuminated flat panel for bottom lighting. It is very important that all light sources match and have the same color temperature. In this case we used all 5000k, daylight balanced lights. (More details on the equipment can be found at the end of this page).
 

 Taking a series of glass photos can be made easy by using a professional graduated background

Graduated Background video clips

Windows

Quicktime

A simple shortcut popular with professionals, and commonly seen on trade magazine covers, is the use of a graduated continuous-tone background.

The background creates the illusion of light falling off into blackness. These backgrounds are custom made to fit the EZcube^® perfectly; they are longer to fill the EZcube from top to bottom & no trimming is required.

 The results are always amazing, and the final image looks as if it was taken by a professional. This background is also fantastic for making short-work of shooting clear glass.

Photographing Waterford Crystal on light backgrounds

Place the illuminated flat panel inside of the EZcube^®, beneath the nylon sweep. Align the illuminated flat panel so that the longest side is running from the front of the EZcube^® to the back.

Place the glass on top of the sweep, over the light panel, 1 inch from the front of the light panel, so that most of the light is behind the glass.  This will illuminate more of the glass, from the bottom on up.

Add lighting from both sides (outside of the EZcube^® so it will be soft and diffused without harsh light reflections).

Insert black paper as rolled tubes, on either side of the stem. (This adds nice black reflections back into the stem, to help define the shape). Adjust the paper until you can see the black reflections appear where you like them.

Photograph with a digital camera on a tripod to avoid blur. Set aperture f 8.0 for a maximum depth of field, with a exposure compensation of E.V. +1.0 to lighten the background still more.

Black paper adds definition to
the edge of the glass

Two Lights position on the side
 

 Photographing Waterford Crystal on a dark background

Place the illuminated flat panel inside the EZcube^®, beneath the standard nylon sweep.  

Cut a hole in a piece of black, matte paper from an art supply store. The hole should be slightly smaller than the base of the stemware.  

Place the stemware on the paper, over the light panel, aligned with the hole so the light can shine through the hole and illuminate the glass. The paper should continue on up following the curve of the sweep, creating a seamless black background.

Add one light source from behind the EZcube^®, be sure to shoot over the top of the paper just a little. This will help illuminate the upper rim.

Photograph with a digital camera on a tripod to avoid motion blur. Ste the aperture at f 8.0 for a maximum depth of field,  with a exposure compensation of E.V. -0.7 to darken the background still more.

Align stem over cut hole

Single light position in back

 Shooting a glass goblet using underlighting to create a graduated background with an illuminated effect

Underlighting videos

Windows

Quicktime

The orientation of the light panel will effect your image. Pull it forward, push it back, rotate it,  until you see the effect you desire.

 In the image on the left we have a shorter, dramatic transition from white to gray created by running the light panel sideways.

In the image on the right we see a smoother, longer gradation of white to grey. By rotating the light panel lengthwise more of the glass, shown right, is illuminated.

In both cases, we positioned the goblet toward the front of the light panel. With more of the light panel behind your glassware, the higher the illumination effect will travel up your glass.

6x8" Illuminated panel in a
horizontal position

Daylight balanced illuminated flat panel

Illuminated panel rotated 90 degrees,the illumination travels further up the goblet.

Under lighting works well with acrylic cosmetics too

The lighted panel will create the same special effect with acrylic cosmetics and perfume bottles. Translucent acrylic and glass respond dramatically to the under lighting technique.

 On the left we show a thick acrylic perfume bottle with blue liquid inside placed on top of the lighted panel. The liquid really lights up!

Remember to slide the panel beneath the EZcube sweep to hide the panels back edge. This gives you the nice graduated background.

On the right we placed the light panel beneath a colored acrylic cologne bottle.

Illuminated panel beneath sweep

Be sure the light panel matches your primary light source color temperature. We used 5000k here.

Illuminated panel beneath sweep

Photographing a crystal mouse on a black background with underlighting creates a glowing effect

1. Place the illuminated flat panel inside the EZcube^®, beneath the standard nylon sweep.
    

2. Cut a hole in a piece of black, matte paper from an art supply store. The hole should be slightly smaller than the base of the crystal.
    

3. Place the crystal on top of the paper, which is over the light panel. Align the crystal carefully with the hole that's been cut, so the light can shine through the hole and illuminate the glass. The paper should continue on up following the curve of the sweep, creating a seamless black background.
    

4. Do not use any additional lighting in this case; just the illuminated flat panel. Due to the small size, and shape of this crystal, the illuminated panel can light up the entire mouse. This was evident during set-up.
    

5. Photograph with a digital camera on a tripod to avoid motion blur. Set the aperture to f 8.0 with a exposure compensation of E.V. -0.7 to darken the background still more.