Reply #1 - May 18, 2008, 11:27:07 AM
The trick is to keep the glare and reflections under control. Usually, you will start with two lights; one on each side at 45 degrees and equally distant from the subject. They should be at a 1:1 ratio and the light should meter exactly the same across the entire plane of the picture you are photographing. From the sounds of it, your speedlights may be the way to go. That way you can have equal light source sizes and controls. If you want to show the texture of the frame itself, you can try to use a third light to skim sidelight across the front of the frame. This can get tricky though, so you may want to get the first two lights dialed in first and make sure they are capable of getting you what you want first. Normally, the idea is to show the picture in the frame more than anything else.
As for the camera, just make sure it is on a tripod and that the film plane is parallel to the picture so all the lines are straight. Use whatever focal length is best for not bending the lines of the frame. This is usually in the normal to short-tele portion of the lens, but will depend on the lens you are using of course.
Try reading up on 'Copy' photography. I think that will be a better place for you to start researching. Watch for glare and unwanted reflections in the glass, if you don't have glass or can take it out of the frame, this will get a whole lot easier.
Let me know how this works out for you.
Travis
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