Any idea how to build something like this?

[kinglake]

I don't believe quilts are magnetic (KIDDING ) HOWEVER the pole barn with an 18' ceiling is a EXCELLENT idea! Do I have your permission to tell my wife that this would all your idea?? :laughing:
Of course there would be considerable transportability challenges involved as well with the pole barn approach...

Not sure why this came across as funny, but it exactly how it is done in similar situations. A magnetic surface is attached to a wall, the quilt in this case is then held up to the surface, and very small neodymium magnets are used to hold it. Neodymium magnets are incredibly strong, so they can be very small and unobtrusive. No damage is done to the quilt.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I've used binder clips to photograph quilts. Very large quilts are usually pretty heavy too, so I've used 6 or 8 clips evenly spaced and hung them on the garage door for photographing. My spouse, being a quilter and a quilting teacher, will not tolerate anything sticking into or through her work of art. And with the hundreds of hours required to make the quilts (not to mention the cost!), I don't blame her at all.

Laying them flat might be the best, but I didn't have a suitable place to lay them nor a method of getting high enough over the center for an un-distorted picture. You have a difficult task either way. I'll be watching your tread for the best answer, should you find one better than my method.

 

[jymbee]

Not sure why this came across as funny, but it exactly how it is done in similar situations. A magnetic surface is attached to a wall, the quilt in this case is then held up to the surface, and very small neodymium magnets are used to hold it. Neodymium magnets are incredibly strong, so they can be very small and unobtrusive. No damage is done to the quilt.

Well, I guess in context with the pole barn suggestion-- and my unfamiliarity with these kinds of magnets-- it just seemed that way.
The problem with magnets, or clips, or pins, or clamping bars is that no matter how unobtrusive they might be, the goal is to capture an image with no such items anywhere on the surface of the quilt. The final image is very high resolution and when viewed on the www one can zoom in and see details as small as the stitching used. Of course it's possible to remove such items in post processing, but there's a number of unacceptable considerations with that approach.

 

[jymbee]

My spouse, being a quilter and a quilting teacher, will not tolerate anything sticking into or through her work of art. And with the hundreds of hours required to make the quilts (not to mention the cost!), I don't blame her at all.

Exactly. One option for hanging quilts, if it's not already in place, is to sew in hanging sleeves or pockets on the back to accommodate a bar. However as you point out this would be simply unacceptable to most quilters-- and understandably so. Not to mention the fact that in some cases we'd want to photograph the back as well!

 

[forgeblast]

How to take photos of quilts: 1 photos you should take - Quilty Love they use packing tape.
My thought was to put metal on the wall and then use some magnets (rare earth ones) to hold it and then photo shop out the magnets.

Just wondering if you hand any pointers on photographing wooden items. I have a small photo both and a graduated background that I use when shooting my bowls and spoons.

Amazon.com: 1 Pair Walnut Wood Quilt Hang-Ups Clamps Clips - Large: Kitchen & Dining also has quilt hanging clips.

 

[NorTracNY]

If the clips are not allowed as they would obstruct a small portion of the quilt, and the pole barn (raised ceiling) won't work, then I believe the two best options are a large mirror, for a fold or a large plexiglass sheet that would act as a coverglass. I'm not how large you can get a sheet of plexiglass though. This would allow you to clamp the quilt to a backboard and lift it vertically.

 

[jymbee]

If the clips are not allowed as they would obstruct a small portion of the quilt, and the pole barn (raised ceiling) won't work, then I believe the two best options are a large mirror, for a fold or a large plexiglass sheet that would act as a coverglass. I'm not how large you can get a sheet of plexiglass though. This would allow you to clamp the quilt to a backboard and lift it vertically.

We do plan some tests with the mirror approach as we wrap up some other projects here and while the plexi suggestion is interesting-- and might just work functionally-- my concern is related to the optics. I've done a lot of aerial photography and one of the default requirements is a plane with a camera port of some kind (or windows that can be opened) as shooting through the plexi windows just doesn't work. I suppose there's higher quality material other than what's used for airplane windows? Interesting idea and while I think there might be some issues it's something worth looking into.

 

[NorTracNY]

We do plan some tests with the mirror approach as we wrap up some other projects here and while the plexi suggestion is interesting-- and might just work functionally-- my concern is related to the optics. I've done a lot of aerial photography and one of the default requirements is a plane with a camera port of some kind (or windows that can be opened) as shooting through the plexi windows just doesn't work. I suppose there's higher quality material other than what's used for airplane windows? Interesting idea and while I think there might be some issues it's something worth looking into.

Although your concerns have some validity, your analogy is not as applicable here. With a window, you have sources of light on both sides. This is what causes loss of contrast and ghosts. What you would be doing would be more like a picture frame. The window is pressed up against the subject, which isn't a light source. You can test this out by buying a small piece of plexiglass from the hardware store and taking a picture of a smaller object.

I should warn you though, that you will need to control the lighting in the room. You want a diffuse light in the room. Any bright bare lights in the room which could reflect off the plexiglass directly into your camera will be a problem. If you have a photographers umbrella, you'll likely be ok. You may want to have these off to the sides enough where they will not cause a direct reflection. This could also be tested by moving your smaller sample over the full area in your wall where the bigger quilt would take up. If you have any questions, you can feel free to send me a private message. Just be patient as I may be traveling some.

 

[ning]

Off the wall idea (no pun intended)...

If a big enough mirror (8'x10') was available...could a good enough photo be captured from a reflection?

Most mirrors have a surprising amount of color change. Our eyes/brain adjust it pretty well, but it's probably more than a simple white balance adjustment for photo use, if you want really accurate colors.

 

[/pine]

Most mirrors have a surprising amount of color change. Our eyes/brain adjust it pretty well, but it's probably more than a simple white balance adjustment for photo use, if you want really accurate colors.

I only posted an off the wall thought...I'm not a professional photographer as I suspect the OP to be...
I do know that all "color" is in the light and professional photographers are virtually "light" pros...I questioned the quality of a reflection...I don't know what else to say...?