Photographing Metal Subway Tiles for Spengler Industries

by dav.d

I was brought in to photograph new metal subway tile shingles for Spengler Industries and Fine Metal Roof Tech. I have been working with the fine people at these companies for more than 10 years! I have photographed many of their metal roofing products over the years.

Gold colored aluminum subway tiles

Gold colored aluminum subway tiles

Photographing metal is very challenging. In many cases the metal is reflective, so you have to remove or hide reflections of the photographer, room, camera, or more. There is a reason car companies create a lot of commercials in 3D software these days.

Gold colored aluminum subway tiles

Gold colored aluminum subway tiles

Fortunately, these were brushed metal or aluminum and the finish wasn’t a mirror. However, we will needed to capture the highlights and show depth and shape for the unique subway tiles. This required lighting, reflectors, foam core, and an assistant. I was able to light and bounce light to create these photos. The rest is Photoshop, lots of Photoshop.

Copper subway tiles

Copper subway tiles

Showing depth and dimension

Showing depth and dimension

Bronze colored metal subway tiles

Bronze colored metal subway tiles

Here is a behind the scenes view with my assistant for the day Erno. He is holding a large silver reflector. That gives the surface of the metal something to reflect.

Behind the scenes of this shoot

Behind the scenes of this shoot

Metal subway tiles

Metal subway tiles

Zink Subway tiles

Zink Subway tiles

Aluminum subway tiles

Aluminum subway tiles

Showing detail in the aluminum subway tiles

Showing detail in the aluminum subway tiles

Alternative photos showing texture

Alternative photos showing texture

Photographing metal

Photographing metal

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dav.d photo
dav.d is a portrait photographer based in Utah.