Help with a light tent

[missdiane]

I think I asked this before but cannot find the thread

I bought a light tent the other day- just a cheap one off ebay, as I have no budget for this. It sounded like it would solve all my problems, only I am finding I am no further to getting a good picture
So the subject is coloured/silver jewellery, I want a totally white background. I have the light tent with three daylight lamps 2 60watts either side and a 100watt inside directly on subject. I take picture at an angle as I cannot get directly above subject- so part of it is out of focus. Picture still comes out grey/blue, and a quick brightness twiddle in picture program makes the background white but takes out the colour of the silver, so the clasp looks almost invisible. Have tried with flash on and off.

Can anyone tell me where I am going wrong please?

Hope I have explained it enough
Thank you in advance

Edited by missdiane on Sunday 16th January 14:36

[//dean]

Can you post some examples? It's hard to tell from the description what's happening, also might be worth posting a link to an image which you'd like to achieve.

[miniman]

Have you experimented with white balance settings?

[missdiane]

Miniman, Yes I have tried all the white balance bits, though I did change cameras since I did it, but don't think it would make much diference

[missdiane]

Original


Brighted up, silver bits don't look as clear


With flash and still needed lightening up- skews colours a little as well.


I just want it totally white, and be able to clearly see silver bits. This one may not be a good example but loads of my other subjects are more silver than coloured, this is why I would have to get it sorted

[miniman]

Can you post up the exif data for the first one?

Are you shooting handheld or using a tripod?

[missdiane]

miniman said:

Can you post up the exif data for the first one?

Are you shooting handheld or using a tripod?

F22

1/25
92mm focal length
max aperture 4.8

No flash
138 focal length 35mm

hard sharpness
aperture priority
WB auto

Handheld, but can use tripod if it is suggested, just a pain in the bum setting it up as there is no room by window, where I put the tent.
Is that enough info

Edited by missdiane on Sunday 16th January 14:55

[Simpo Two]

Essentially you're trying to photograph silver on white, and as the silver is in a white light box it is white as well; not a good place to start from! Silver dosen't really have a colour, it just reflects whatever you point at it - white, black, blue etc.

Is a different background such as black completely out of the question?

Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 16th January 15:19

[missdiane]

No, but when I tried black before, it was a blurry, I presume it reduced the shutter speed so I got camera shake?
Not sure, it seemed to look not as sharp as on a light back ground

The website would now look odd with black photos, as it has been styled white, however if it fixes things...

[miniman]

I would use a tripod, and set the aperture nice and high F/11 or so. Low aperture will give you elements of the image put of focus which could be the blur you are seeing. Drop the ISO down to 100, set the drive mode to "self timer" to avoid any shake when you press the shutter release.

Then you can experiment with over and under exposing, white balance, flash compensation etc.

[Famous Graham]

Definitely get a tripod. You can pick desk ones up for a tenner or so at Jessops.

[missdiane]

Well, happier... but far from perfect, think I need practise at this

[Ledaig]

If you are still needing a vertical shot, try lying the tent on its back to enable you to photograph from directly above.

[missdiane]

Thanks, this is what I did in the end, seem to get far more light bouncing around