topic Re: Getting pictures of small object with white background in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Getting pictures of small object with white background

Howieem — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 23:38:58 GMT

I own a Canon Rebel XT EOS 350D. I also have a light box. I'm trying to take photos of writing pens against a white background so that I can post them on the web. No matter what I try, the photos come out with the object too dark, and the background isn't white. I know how to use my camera, but I'm a novice at all of the settings. Has anyone out there tried what I'm trying, and could share with me how to set my camera (explained for a novice, please) so that I will end up with the object being bright and clear, and the background will be consistantly white?

Re: Getting pictures of small object with white background

kvbarkley — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 01:34:54 GMT

Two things to try:

Use spot exposure mode, if you have it, and keep the pen in the center.

Dial in exposure compensation, yours is much like a snowy scene so try going down 1 or 2 stops.

Re: Getting pictures of small object with white background

ScottyP — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 02:13:41 GMT

Up 1 or 2 stops of EC for white and snow.

Re: Getting pictures of small object with white background

Waddizzle — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 02:19:41 GMT

Refer to your instruction manual for more details regarding on setting up a custom white balance setting.

Re: Getting pictures of small object with white background

kvbarkley — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 14:22:15 GMT

White balance has nothing to do with it. It is all expsoure. Taking an image of a mainly white sheet should be pretty good for auto white balance. 8^)

Re: Getting pictures of small object with white background

kvbarkley — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 14:23:02 GMT

Arg! I always get that backwards. I ruined a roll of slide film that way!

Re: Getting pictures of small object with white background

Waddizzle — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 14:39:54 GMT

@kvbarkley wrote:
White balance has nothing to do with it. It is all expsoure. Taking an image of a mainly white sheet should be pretty good for auto white balance. 8^)

"No matter what I try, the photos come out with the object too dark, and the background isn't white."

Really?

Re: Getting pictures of small object with white background

kvbarkley — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 14:46:41 GMT

The background will be middle grey, not white, because of the exposure issue.

Re: Getting pictures of small object with white background

Waddizzle — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 15:01:35 GMT

@kvbarkley wrote:
The background will be middle grey, not white, because of the exposure issue.

When whites do not appear white, then it can be corrected by adjusting the color temperature.

http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/blogs/2014/20140218_carr_whitebalancesnow_blog.shtml

I don't see what exposure has to do with correcting the white background colors at all.

Sure, the camera makes an assumption, which in this case creates the wrong tone for white backgrounds, when it takes a picture. Changing the "exposure" means what? Changing the shutter speed? Changing ISO? Changing aperture? Actually, you can change any of those settings, and the camera will still make the same incorrect assumption on color temperature, with the same results.

Re: Getting pictures of small object with white background

kvbarkley — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 15:09:10 GMT

Sigh. We have no evidence of a color shift. I will see your white balance article and raise you an exposure article:

http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2011/qt_photograph_snow_article.shtml

Everything he has said is consistent with a simple exposure issue.

I already said what to do, I would just dial in +1 to +2 exposure compensation.

And conversely, if it is just exposure, custom white balance won't help either.

Re: Getting pictures of small object with white background

Waddizzle — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 16:04:39 GMT

@kvbarkley wrote:
Sigh. We have no evidence of a color shift. I will see your white balance article and raise you an exposure article:
http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2011/qt_photograph_snow_article.shtml

Everything he has said is consistent with a simple exposure issue.

I already said what to do, I would just dial in +1 to +2 exposure compensation.

And conversely, if it is just exposure, custom white balance won't help either.

A few clicks in post can brighten up the dark areas of the image, especially if it is shot RAW. Small exposure corrections are easier to do in post than a do over. The products might no longer be available for use.

Re: Getting pictures of small object with white background

Howieem — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 16:25:00 GMT

Hope I didn't cause any problems between repliers. All of this informatin is helpful, although, as a novice, I'll have to do a little research to see just which way to go. I really do appreciate this exchange between experts, and I'll give these ideas a try. Please accept my thanks for your replies (all of you). If I find that I still have problems, lI'll repost, and maybe be able to better explain the problem. Thanks to all again,.

Re: Getting pictures of small object with white background

kvbarkley — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 16:42:13 GMT

No problem.

Try shooting with an exposure compensation. If that works, fine. If the white is color-shifted: too warm or too cool, then use a custom white balance as suggested.

As a novice, reading those two linked articles can go a long way to helping you understand exactly what magic your camera does when it takes a picture.

Re: Getting pictures of small object with white background

RobertTheFat — Sat, 19 Mar 2016 13:39:50 GMT

@Howieem wrote:
Hope I didn't cause any problems between repliers. All of this informatin is helpful, although, as a novice, I'll have to do a little research to see just which way to go. I really do appreciate this exchange between experts, and I'll give these ideas a try. Please accept my thanks for your replies (all of you). If I find that I still have problems, lI'll repost, and maybe be able to better explain the problem. Thanks to all again,.

Assuming that the adjustment of your monitor isn't totally out of whack ...

If the white appears gray, it's an exposure issue. If it appears brown or blue, it's a white balance issue.