question for photographer

[lori]

hi..

i'm wondering if any of you photographers can help me with a problem that i am having
shooting one of my paintings. i have a work that has about 3/4" of varnishes in layers that drip with color (sap green). this is a monchromatic painting and has been shot not only by me, but a friend who is a professional (although he didn't charge me, so i didn't really want to complain).

the problem is that it reads red. i can never get the "true" color to come out. my friend shot other works for me and they weren't overexposed (same shoot), but this one EVERYTIME its photographed comes out redder. believe me, i have MANY photos of this. its like the ongoing project.


i have dealt with this problem in the past by using photoshop and color correcting, although the content of the painting just won't come out correct, AND more importantly, i need slides and prints of this work, not only digital copies. anyway, i will attach a digital copy here and you can see the color its supposed to be, only not so saturated. if you look at the example and take the hue down about 10 levels and turn it red/grey you have the color it comes out in photography.

also, i know that greens and reds are complimentary, but i thought in photography the comp. colors were different. anyway, all suggestions welcome. here is the painting...

<IMG SRC="http://home.pacbell.net/ordinary/lori/images/04.jpg" border=0>

[This message has been edited by lori (edited October 25, 2000).]

[icefan13]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by lori:
[B]hi..

i'm wondering if any of you photographers can help me with a problem that i am having
shooting one of my paintings.
.................

I can't figure out why this would be coming out red. I has to be some combination of the film and lighting being wrong for each other though. What film have you been using and what kind of light source?

Also, if we can't help you here, go to: www.pdnonline.com (http://www.pdnonline.com) to their technical help message board to ask your question. It's a site for profesional photographers and I'm sure that one of the techies there will be able to help you.

......................

[lori]

hi thanks for the reply. i don't actually remember the last time i photoed it what kind of film exactly, but i used halogen lights (the ones i have in my studio, and painted it under). i don't know what kind my friend used, but i assume (out of ignorance) they were just
photographer lights???? should i use a different type of light source? tungsten or some other? since i've done my other works with these lights and no problem, i assumed it was the color of the painting. or the combination of the reflective surface and the green. i don't know, but i'll also check out the site that you mentioned!!!

thanks a bunch...i'm starting to spend more time trying to figure this out, than painting! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/wink.gif

[Zone V]

Hello,
Im a hobby photographer and hate indoor work for the reasons you state.
But I will mention the little bit I know, perhaps it will direct you on your search.

If you shoot w/ daylight catagory film then
depending on the light source you probably need an 81a or b filter I believe it is to color correct.
Some films shoot more true to color then others.
And slide film will need the filters for sure.
Fuji reala may work well for slides.

Also if the picture is "shiny" you may need a polarizing lense to cut through it and not glare.

Also colors the light bounces off of (in the room or umbrella) can reflect into the picture.

The lenses use depends on type of camera.

For instance in my case I have a SLR camera and I need a circular polarizing lense instead of regular.

Perhaps it will help narrow your search!

Good luck hope I didnt add any confusion! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

PS; dont use a flash either.
I assume youre not since ya spoke of lighting.

[This message has been edited by Zone V (edited October 27, 2000).]

[Zone V]

Icefan:

Thanks for the great photography website !!! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif
zonev

[lori]

hi again...
thanks vzone for the info. i thought about using a polorizing filter to help with the reflection but i was a little afraid it would add to the problem of the color. i think that i will try it now though, because it makes sense! so now i have one other question...when i use a polorizer i need to change the fstop by one, right? also since i bracket when i shoot my paintings i assume that i can't really rely on my built in meter. am i correct? since it will be reading without filter????

sorry for the stupid questions, but i'm NOT a photographer, although, my god you guys deserve some respect for all the tech stuff ...whew! thanks again to you and ice!

[Zone V]

With my slr I would use the meter w/ the lense and bracketing would cover it.

Depends on the camera tho".

Theres still the film and color correction issue too.

the polarizer will darken the pic a bit (enrichen it abit but not red!)

good luck!