How to photograph crystals?

[mamabear]

I have been trying to get some pix that will do the crystals justice, but I can't get it. Do I use a flash, or just use room lighting? do I angle the camera? or the rock? they are clear, so do I place it so light will shine thru? have been setting them on black fabric, but it just does not show them well enuf.

 

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[mamabear]

Thanx Spooky. will try that tomorrow. hope to post the pix soon.

 

[Old Dog]

Mamabear,
A black or dark brown background works well for starters.
Many times the crystal may be clear and can be used as a light source itself.
the example is to put the flash in a box put a piece of glass over the top and place the crystal on the glass.
Use a towel or something heavy to block all of the glass surface except where the crystal is sitting.
Focus and take the shot.
The crystal became the source of the light ...Makes for some cool pictures
make sure the lights in the room are off when you shoot, ambient light is a spoiler.

Thom

 

[mamabear]

another good tip! thanx guys!

 

[Old Dog]

Use the macro setting on your camera and get as close as possible.
some of the hardest to photo are metalic crystals such as Stibnite swords.

I have been trying to do some digital shots of some of these and they are a nightmare because of the reflective features.
have been having some luck using a filler type flash, which is just enough to light the specimen up but not FLASH the thing into oblivian. LOL

 

[mamabear]

My thanx again for the info. will start on the pix as soon as I get off line. (I'd much rather do that then the housework that is yelling at me) I have so many specimens to shoot it would take forever to get them done. 'specially of a fossil I found yrs ago that has druzy inside. it is magnificent in person but not so much in photo.

 

[mamabear]

Wow! Old dog! that spec is amazing! did you find that? I have dial up so it takes for ever to upload these pages so when it finally finished my jaw dropped. & you captured it beautifully.do you have a large collection? post some more pix I am anxious to see them.

 

[Old Dog]

No MB,
I bought that one, back when they were kind of cheap.
some of the minerals I have were purchased from specialist collectors.
but the majotity of my collection is self collected.
What types of minerals would you like to see?

There are many different groups that are exciting to see.

 

[mamabear]

A good secondary question could be "...and do cameras meditate"?

Not in my hands! they are to worried about being dropped!

 

[Old Dog]

As per your request Mamabear,
Here are some pix as I find them of gemstones in their natural state.
please no stray thoughts about cutting these folks, they will be in a museum one day.
these are really hard to find and keep this way.
Her is some blue Beryl,
the variety called Aquamarine

 

[Old Dog]

Here is another variety of Beryl (golden or yellow)
called Heliodore

 

[Old Dog]

I waited for a long time for this crystal.
couldn't find one I liked untill this one.

Green Beryl Variety called emerald

 

[mamabear]

as Pepe Le Pew would say, le pant, le sigh!
I am glad they are going to a museum. cut? Nay! the devil be with thee, cutter of such beauty! I would rather have a natural specimen than a cut jewel any day!
4-H am with you there. I think it must be a mutant gene we are born with. (perhaps also called insanity) but who cares! the joy these rocks bring cannot be duplicated.

 

[Old Dog]

Mommabear,
I am not here to highjack your thread.
Please show some of your pictures.
Maybe we can give some hints as to how better to shoot them.

 

[kuger]

Here is the best I could do,you are right it is an art!!!
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,118755.0.html

 

[Old Dog]

Good looking quartz group Kruger.
Realy rare association.

 

[Old Dog]

White and clear minerals are the hardest to get a clear picture of.
a type of Scolecite crystal that should appear pale blue, looks white because of the flash.
Just in case you wanted to look it up try Natrolite.
It is found with many Zeolite type minerals.
The rubber band is 3/8 of an inch and was used as a stand as well as to give size reference.
(the husky hair is free of charge) LOL

 

[hadji009]

couple more hairs might of looked like lightning comming off the crystal.

 

[Bev]

I've used a large white poster board and a black poster board. I put it under it and curve it up behind it. I also try not to place the item close to the background. I use to goose neck desklamps with natural bulbs on each side so I can turn them over the item or down low for effect. The reason I use poster board gently curved up is so you don't see a "seam" in the background and the camera doesn't pick up any "texture" of the background making lines or "fuzz".
I can also suggest getting a small light box that people use to show off paperweights, really nice.
Here are some examples:

 

[Frankn]

As a photographer I use several methods for fine art photography. Here is my best. On a light table place a thin white piece of cloth. Then place a open knit black silk scarf over the white one. Photograph from above at app.45 degrees. Use only the light from the table for one shot then try quartz light from the rear of the object. for special effects, bunch up the black silk scarf behind the object. Try it, your like it.

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