Taking a picture of another picture - help please

[EileenSNY]

Hello,

I am part of a group making a collage as a gift to someone and I need to take pictures of the original pictures. Most of them are in photo albums under plastic and can't be removed so I can't scan them. I have to somehow get a clean, clear shot through the plastic cover.

Some of them are not in albums but I'm still not getting good shots because of the shiny surface of the picture. I cannot use the original pictures in the collage and would prefer to take pictures of them rather than start scanning them. There are a lot of pictures and very little time.

I'm not using flash becuase it increases the general reflections and flash light reflected. I'm also getting shadows of myself on the picture when I don't use flash.

I can use my Nikon D80 or my Canon Powershot SD870 IS Elph.

Can anyone tell me how to take decent pictures of other pictures? I would really appreciate it.

Thaks so much.

Eileen

[PowerPix]

That's not an easy thing to do!!! The best I can say is try taking it from different angles in different lighting. Good luck with that!

[kirbinster]

Maybe a polarizing filter to cut the glare?

[abyssal20]

Number one, use a polarizer to limit the amount of reflection. If using flash, set your strobes to the side (one each side). Set your strobes so that they are at the same angle of incidence. You will, of course, be metering with a flash meter (incident, not reflective). If not using strobes, still try a circular polarizer and increase your exposure if needed.

[OsmosisStudios]

tripod. You may not be able to hand-hold if youre not using flashes indoors.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by kirbinster

Maybe a polarizing filter to cut the glare?

yup, circular polorising filter, tripod... and the light will need to be experimented with.
keeping it dim,

possibly use dark cloth/material over the top (above your head) to stop the white ceiling from reflecting back like mirror

[ttosifa]

There are chapters on how to do this in "Light: Science and Magic." I have never done this, so I am not familiar with the details. But I seem to recall something about using a polarizing gel on the flash and a polarizing filter on the lens. Good luck.