Difficult object shots ... how?

[Scott]

I'm a struggling amateur photographer. I've got a small studio set up and a Canon Digital Rebel XT. I've had some great luck shooting products. But this one has me stumped.

I need to shoot some corn-based bags (basically plastic bags like those at a grocery store). These are thin, wispy, bags. not nearly strong enough to stand on their own and they are very translucent so anything in the bag will be seen.

My thought was to shoot them upside down with helium in them. This way they would fill out but not show anything in the bag.

Does anyone have any similar experience with objects of this nature or any suggestions as to how to shoot them?

[Dave]

Cheat! - I know a lot of our in-store ads for Dunkin Donuts were totally faked, there wasn't a baked donut within a hundred miles of the photographers.

How though? hmmmm

Try glueing the bags onto another surface - white card?

Add depth to the "bags" in photoshop?

Try this link .... CLICKY (http://reviews.ebay.com/Photographing-Jewelry-Flatware-Glassware-for-eBay_W0QQugidZ10000000000101776) , lots of tips on lighting techniques in light tents or boxes.

[Scott]

Lighting isn't an issue. I've got 4 floor floods that work well.

I'm more curious about staging the shots in some dynamic way to make them look interesting. I can fake the bags in Illustrator if I just wanted a flat object. These are all fakes (well the boxed shots aren't all other bag shots are though.): http://www.trellisearth.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=10 I need REAL shots though.

[tuggie]

From the link it appears these are grocery store bags that you want to photo with some kind of shape.

How about supporting them with clear plastic boxes, such as the lids of shirt containers?
Otherwise some kind of clear balloon.
Or even hanging them with thread from a stand.

Maybe not a lot of help, but looking forward to seeing the results

Tuggie

[Dave]

Wire coat hangers?

[GraphicallyPut]

fine fishing line??? Could hang em...hey actually yea try hangin em in a tree to add the natural effect...even if its a indoor plant?

[1cowabunga]

hmm... maybe hold a fan or hair dryer above the bags and see if it holds them open long enough for a shot? :shrug:

[jimt]

how about filling them with water? here is a crude shot, sure that you can do better..
used a broom handle thru the bag handles..remove the waterline in PS..

[Siouxie]

maybe try it with a plastic wire and maybe put a fan above it, which will slowly breath air into it