Getting pictures of small object with white background

[Howieem]

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?

[Waddizzle]

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@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.

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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.

[Howieem]

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,.

[kvbarkley]

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.

[RobertTheFat]

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@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,.

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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.