Help With Reflective Surface Portrait

[douglasely]

<p>Re: Help With Reflective Surface Portrait</p>

<p>I want to try something that I have never done before and need your advice. I have seen many portraits where the subject is seated at would looks to be a table and the subjects image is highly reflected on the surface of the table. What do I need to place on the table that gives an attractive reflection? There is always a mirror that could be used. but in the images I like, other than the reflected image, the surface of the table appears dark / black. Using a mirrow would not give the same look.</p>

<p>Thank you, D</p>

<p> </p>

[mike_earussi1]

<p>A good furniture wax or polish buffed to a high sheen.</p>

[Charles_Webster]

<p>You can use black acrylic for that dark, shiny reflective surface. Or black granite counter-top or a piece of glass with black paper or fabric under, but the latter produces double reflections.</p>

<p><Chas><br /><br /></p>

[User_5888660]

<p>Read "Light Science and Magic." You can make a mirror look black if you light it correctly.</p>

[ryan_zabrauskas]

<p>the best way is to use a piece of glass, this will give refection and you could see the texture of the table or what ever the subject is sitting at. You will have to play around with your lighting source and camera angle to.<br>

-r</p>

[marlon]

<p>Shiny table, but shoot at a low angle just a few inches above the table so the light reflects into your camera.</p>