Copy Table

Studio Copy Table Project

My first photo is taken from the book "Testimony" by Gillian Laub

"We're here with my platoon at a memorial ceremony for our friends. Adi Avitan, Benny Avraham, and Omar Suad were kidnapped exactly one year ago. The ceremony is so we can call out to them in Lebanon, letting them know they have parents, friends, and many other people waiting for them at home. Hopefully one day they'll come back into the arms of those who love them. We must keep this hope for their safe return. Sometimes soldiers are kidnapped, and everyday soldiers die for the cause of peace and security in Israel. Like they say in the song: 'I have no other country even if my land is burning. I will not stop crying out because my country has changed its face. Only a prayer in Hebrew penetrates my veins and my soul. With a pained body, with a hungry heart, here is my home.'" -Testimony (Photographer Gillian Laub)

Tiberias October 2002

 My second photo is taken from "Diagram of the Heart" by Glenna Gordon

"Henna Hands, open and closed. Ready for marriage." -Diagram of the Heart

Lighting Setup

These photographs were photographed on a copy table with four lights and two diffusers. The camera was placed overhead. Glass was placed over the image to keep it flat.

Lighting: I started with the lights at a 45 degree angle but there was a glare reflecting off the glass so I pushed the lights down to about a 65 degree angle. The diffusers were used to disperse the light to cover the whole image.

Challenges: Using glass is difficult because of its reflections. Not only were lights reflecting but my reflection was also seen. The camera settings were also difficult because I didn't realize my camera went by 1/3 stops instead of 1/2 stops. After figuring this out I was able to adjust settings. 

Successes: I was able to easily change the white balance. I figured out the easiest way to adjust the stops was by shutter speed since I needed to perform less than a full stop. After adjusting the lighting and camera settings it was easy to snap pictures to test white balance and bracketing. 

What I learned: Lighting with glass is very hard. There are reflections and dust that collects on the glass which will show up in images. After spending a long time in the studio I also learned that studio hot lights are indeed hot.