How do I photograph acetate?

Question

I have to take some photographs for my job, and the boxes have acetate cover. How do I take the pictures without creating a glare on the covers, but making it light enough to shoot properly?

Answer 1

if you are using a manual, or manually overidable film SLR, i can help you but i have never used any digital, what i do is a use spotlighting around what i'm going to photograph, so that the angle that i am shooting from cant see any of the glare.

Answer 2

try taking your picture outside in an open space (no reflections of trees and so) on a day with a white/grey sky.

Also using a flatbed scanner instead of a camera can give good pictures of shiny surfaces. Just remove the cover, put the thing on the scanner and cover up the open space of the glass with a black cloth. You might need to patchwork some parts together of course.

Answer 3

If your flash is built into the camera, put a sheet of white paper in front of the flash (at an angle) directing the flash towards the ceiling. Take your shot at a slight angle to the acetate as well, this prevents any slight reflections from being captured.

Answer 4

Place items in a place where there is plenty of natural light if you can tungsten lighting can turn your image a yellowy colour. Don't use your flash if you can. This should help avoid reflection.

Answer 5

I'm not sure about this but won't a polarizing filter do it? It works for other reflective surfaces (like water and skies).