techniques for shooting a laptop computer

[outty]

I am doing a few product shots and I wanted to know some of your techniques for shooting a laptop computer which would be turned on. I would like to show the brightness of the screen while the actual hardware is properly exposed. any ideas?

[tirediron]

Other than trial and error? Not really. I'd set it up with the screen the way you want it, get that properly exposed, and then increase the light on the remainder until it too is correctly exposed.

[aophoto]

I wonder if sync flash would work in this case.

[Travis]

I would do a two shot exposure blend...... one properly exposing the screen and other properly exposing the balance...

on the latter, selective use of strobes to highlight attractive areas and provide edge and definition..

[fante]

I would shoot it turned off, since the screen tends to look bad on photos, and photoshop in a screen later. If you need any help with this, feel free to ask

[Travis]

oh and forgot...

usually you would want the screen to display a simple high contrast image like flowers or colourful landscape...

[outty]

how would I achieve a two shot exposure blend?

[Travis]

how would I achieve a two shot exposure blend?

The exact procedure depends on the editing software you are using but the principle is:

-Set up your tripod and product and make sure the tripod everything is tight, lock your focal range
-Take one shot best exposing the monitor (you will need to play around in manual mode)
-Take another shot to that best exposes the keyboard and body
-import both images into your photo editor as layers
-erase bits of the layer that are undesirable

I use Paint Shop Pro X2 so I would -

-import image of exposed monitor
-promote background layer
-paste image of keyboard as a layer
-use eraser tool to delete the monitor portion of the keyboard layer
-behind the erased portion is the properly exposed monitor

The procedure is slightly different in PS... I haven't used PS in a while so don't remember but the concept is the same....

good luck!

[mindforge]

I would use a light box or a makeshift light box. Also, get a contrasting color beneath the laptop if this will be for a product shot. I am a graphic designer that does some product photography when I need to. In order to crop really fast in photoshop to remove background use a contrasting color that will stand apart from the edge. This will make clipping/cobbing easier and save time for someone that wants to put the image in an ad.

[outty]

Thanks for the input everyone!

I'm currently constructing a simple light box using an old box and some tissue paper. I'll let you know how it goes and I'll post some pictures soon.