Glass counter-top??

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Paul N

Paul N

SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
Joined
Jun 10, 2005
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17,354
Loc
CT, not far from the LI Sound
I am thinking about replacing the current counter top (beat up creamy Formica) with glass (Burgundy velvety cloth underneath, with some Wizard template samples under the glass).

Silly question: Will the glass impact a future PIF or Integrated Framer (flash reflection)?? Or can the camera angle be adjusted so as not to get the reflection?

I know there are other options, but I think glass is the fastest and easiest replacement at this stage.
 
Paul,

Reflections off the glass, if present, should not make any difference.

For the purpose of visualisation you will be cropping tightly into the subject and eliminating the surrounding area.

We use two off-camera flash units positioned on either side of the camera and angled so that they hit the focal point on the counter at approximately 45 degrees.
 
John:

Thanks for your reply. What kind of camera do you use with 2 off-camera flashes?

I thought this was possible either with high-end digitals or regular SLRs.
 
We use an ancient(?) G2 and are very happy with the quality that it produces. The only drawback is that the initial camera/computer handshaking is a bit slow at about 20 seconds.

Initially we had a hotshoe adaptor on the G2 and hard-wired a connection between camera and one of the studio flash units. However for some reason the adaptor switched off the ability to remotely control the flash, it was always ON.

So we have done away with the hotshoe and use the camera's built in flash to trigger the off-camera units. A little piece of silver paper in front of the camera's flash is set at an angle so that, while being able to trigger the light sensor on the studio unit, it is also prevented from illuminating the subject
 
camerasetup.jpg

Just to add to sarah's response, this is a picture of our setup.

You can just see on this picture the little piece of silver paper attached to the camera which directs the flash to the unit on the left.

We have also had to cut down the output from these studio units by about 75% by placing a piece of card within the lens of each.

I plan to hide these units from view by building them into two ordinary light fittings of the same type as shown.
 
We have thick tempered glass on our front counter, but I can't recommend this to anyone else. The glass scratches VERY easily, and has to be washed after each customer. It's a real pain. When it gets scratched enough to look bad, we'll be looking at other alternatives.

It causes no problems at all with PIF, however.

Here's what it looks like currently:
gtp-counter2.jpg

gtp-counter.jpg
 
Mike,

Do you have any additional lighting specifically for PIF on your design table?
 
Hi

No special lighting was required. We have a combination of track halogen, and color keyed flourescent floods above the design counter. Within PIF, you can adjust the settings to compensate for different types of lighting. (flourescent, incandescent, bright, etc)

Glass is out though - it scratches too easily. :(

Mike
 
Mike:

I agree about the glass (scratches and keeping it clean).

I may have to think of another solution, but I like the fact that we can show things underneath.
 
John,

Using the studio flash:

What camera do you use and how is it set up?

I'm playing with a Canon S2-IS and using it on manual exposure I get great results with studio flash but when I use the camera connected to the computer for remote capture it won't allow manual exposure and so far I haven't worked out a setup that gives me correct exposure.
 
We've talked about this in the past as well, but I wondered about the scratching and keeping clean aspects.

Thanks Mike!

We are also planning a re-do of our front end - we've done part of the store already but are still deciding on the most important and used part - our design tables, etc. One of us wants to try making granite counter tops...............
 
Handy,
My second store which opened 12/2003 has a granite sales counter that is 16' x 48" x 1 1/4". It has a slight curve to it. Suspended above it is a drywall, we call it a cloud, which is the exact size and shape of the counter. It contains alternating light fixtures 2' flourescent (6-each) and small recessed halogens (7-each) 5' above the 36" high countertop. The granite is a light beige overall with black specs and some honey colored veins that compliment our bamboo flooring. It looks great!
Best,
Tim
interior2_touchedup2.jpg


[ 04-03-2006, 03:11 PM: Message edited by: Tim H ]
 
Bandsaw,

We are using a Canon G2 (a distant ancestor to the current G6). Using the studio flash the aperture is set to 7.1, but if the subject is dark then we increase it to 6.3. We use the camera's built in flash to trigger the first studio unit (which in turn triggers the second one). A piece of tinfoil in front of the camera's flash prevents it from directly illuminating the subject.

If your camera can not enter manual mode under computer control then it probably is not suitable for visualisation. I was not aware that the S2 had this limitation.

Our counter is covered with a plain light-charcoal loop pile carpet. The rows of loops are perfect for aligning the subject prior to taking the picture.
 
Actually the Canon S2 can be set for manual exposure using suitable f/stops and shutter speeds quite simply when connected to a computer using the Canon remote capture software. Unfortunately the Integrated Framer software doesn't present this function in the limited camera control it has. I hope this can be added to IF. I have been able to accomplish this control by running both software but it's awkward and leads to a lot of crashes. I'll keep experimenting.
 
How would scratch resistent plexi work??

I saw some cool edges (brushed stainless at Home Depot) you can get to use with tiles on a counter or a floor and am wondering how they would work to cover the edges of the plexi on a counter. I am also looking to change my counter tops.

Keep us posted on your direction

Elaine
 
Actually, after seeing Tim's marble counter (I think I'm drooling) there is no other choice.

Dare I ask how much?
 
Tim:

Very nice indeed! But won't Granite scratch as well?

I am sure it depends on the color (black will show more scratches).

When you have customers drag in "antique" barn-wood kind of frames, with rusty nails sticking out, it'd make me cringe to even think of such a frame "meeting" such a fancy Granite counter-top!

We also use blades to cut / separate all kinds of things when the customers bring in their stuff.

I think I should go to my kitchen (also Granite-counter top) and test this theory...but maybe I should wait for Tim's response first!!
 
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