Mineral Photography Mineralien Fotografie multifocus

Definition	History	Zeolite-species	Morphology	Occurrences	Literature
Links	Exchange	Sales	Photography	Impressum	Home

The Zeolite Homepage of Volker Betz
Mineral Specimen Photography
Vertical view

Photographing a detail of a mineral specimen and photographing a whole specimen can be different tasks. The most significant difference is taking care for a background. Another point is the field of view. While details of a specimen are typically in the range from 1 mm to a few cm, the whole specimen can be in the range of meters, but mostly from about 2 cm to less than 50 cm. And around the specimen there is a background !

Some photographers don´t take much care for background and so many different objects are visible: Blurred landscape, table linen or other kind of cloth, grass, hands holding specimen in the skye, boxes , specimen holders and so on.

To have maximal control over the visible background I recently arranged my equipment for specimen photography new, as described below.
Here a repro stand is in use. Alternative the camera can also connected to a tripod, or the repro stand is used in inclined view modus and pictures of minerals on the background setup are taken from the front, like here the whole equipment.was photographed.

Canon EOS 450 camera with Canon EF-S60 mm Macro lens, connected via USB-Calble to Computer. Remote controlled using Helicon Remote and Life view and automated stacking. All pictures are take with f=8 for maximal sharpness. Focus and exposure time are remote controlled.

Repro stand with attached translation sledge and camera

Glass plate ( photo frame) 60x80 cm.

Home made frame of aluminum profiles 50x75 cm to carrry glass plate.

Black cloth for black backgrond. Marked with white string (for better visibility)

Wooden Table with row of switchable power plugs and covered with black paper.

Picture 1: This setup is used for black background.

Photography	My pictures at Mindat	Photography Service	Picture Labels	Leitz Ortholux I	Benefits of stacking	Home
Vertical Setup	Vertical Setup 1	Vertical Setup 2	Vertical Setup 3	Vertical Setup 4	Vertical Setup 5	Vertical Setup 6
Table Top Setup	Glass Plate	Acryl glass on glass	Inclined view	Diffusor tunnel	Diffusor tunnel for gradient	Black on glass
Backgrounds	black	white	coloured	gradient	colour spots	Conclusion