Photography - some advice please

[newbie]

We are trying to photograph some glass crystals but we keep getting the reflection of the camera in the photo. We have tried different backgrounds and lighting but it does'nt seem to help. Can anyone give us some advice please!?

[originalspa]

Have you tried a ring flash instead of the regular ones as it usually takes out shadows and reflections and you get a good clean finish!

[fo3nix]

Take the photograph at an angle; if you take a picture of it straight-on then it's likely to reflect and you'll be able to see the camera. Taking it at an angle should reduce this.

[steviep165]

try taking a photo of the reflection of the crystal. line up a mirror so you'r actually taking a picture of that.

[Dagman]

You may have to try illuminating the glass crystals but not the camera, use a dark room with soft light trained on the subject (not a single point source of light or that will reflect too, or try lighting them from above or below!) keep the camera in the dark and use no flash, adjusting the camera settings for artificial light etc.

[heathfield]

An old studio trick is to drape a piece of black tulle or muslin cloth over the camera. The camera lens will see through it OK

[Mahombi]

You need to use what is called a light tent. These can be bought from professional photographic suppliers. Try looking in the small ads in Amateur Photographer. It may not be cost effective if this is just a one off.

Alternatively, surround the crystals with opalescent sheets (from art supplies shops), or even some old sheets and fire one or more flashguns through. To hide the camera and also to help with adding light to the subjects, get a large piece of polystyrene (from DIY stores, but quite large), cut a hole just big enough to poke the lens through. This may sound very complex, but there are professional photographers out there who specialise in this kind of photogaphy.