How can you be able to shoot the beautiful curve?

Question

How can you use the light and the shadow in order to make the shape of the object beautiful and clear? I am shooting a ceramic by digital camera. I use the strong light in the dark space. I want to express the 3 Dimensional beauty of the object.
Thank you

Answer 1

First, you want a high contrast photo, to emphasize the curves of the object. In most cases, this means a strong light coming from the side and slightly above the object. This allows the light to cast a strong shadow, alowing the camera to capture the gradiated curve(s) of the object.

But, you don't want to lose the dark side of the object to a completely black shadow. Place a smaller light source from the other direction, which will pick up some highlights of the details from that side of the object.

What you do NOT want is a full frontal flash lighting. That will only destroy the contrast and make you lose the detail.

Answer 2

A longer focal length allows you to get all of the curve in sharp focus. You'll need lots of light, a tripod-mounted camera and manual control. Stop the aperture down to, say, f22, focus on the middle of the curve, turn up the lights and check your meter. Bracket the shot.

Answer 3

IMO you need a book on lighting. An old one that I've had for years is "How To Control & Use Photographic Lighting" by David Brooks. You can probably find it on ebay or at amazon.

If you search "photographic lighting books" you'll find over 3 million references.

Answer 4

Perhaps rim lighting, taking your main light to the one o'clock position , slightly behind your subject.