Photography Techniques Using Prop Currency: Lighting, Shutter Speeds & Reflections
Key Production Takeaways
- Polarizing filters to eliminate unwanted glare on polymer surfaces
- High-speed sync flash techniques for freezing airborne money shots
- Macro lens composition for focusing on micro-textures and bank straps
- Color grading tips for making Australian emerald and gold tones pop
Capturing money in studio photography requires careful light control. Because polymer substrate has a subtle satin sheen, direct on-axis flash can cause glare that washes out the intricate banknote artwork.
To achieve deep, rich colors in Australian $100 green and $50 gold notes, use a large parabolic umbrella with a honeycomb grid. Position the light source overhead and slightly behind the subject to create subtle rim highlights along the edges of the banknotes.
For dynamic "money rain" shots in music videos and promo photography, set your shutter speed to 1/2000s or use short flash duration strobes (such as 1/8000s IGBT pulses). This freezes individual notes mid-flight with zero motion blur.
Circular Polarizing Filters (CPL) are invaluable when capturing close-up tabletop stacks, allowing you to selectively control reflections on the simulated holographic foil strips.