techniques for shooting a laptop computer

[outty]

I am doing a few product shots and I wanted to know some of your techniques for shooting a laptop computer which would be turned on. I would like to show the brightness of the screen while the actual hardware is properly exposed. any ideas?

[tirediron]

Other than trial and error? Not really. I'd set it up with the screen the way you want it, get that properly exposed, and then increase the light on the remainder until it too is correctly exposed.

[aophoto]

I wonder if sync flash would work in this case.

[Travis]

I would do a two shot exposure blend...... one properly exposing the screen and other properly exposing the balance...

on the latter, selective use of strobes to highlight attractive areas and provide edge and definition..

[fante]

I would shoot it turned off, since the screen tends to look bad on photos, and photoshop in a screen later. If you need any help with this, feel free to ask

[Travis]

oh and forgot...

usually you would want the screen to display a simple high contrast image like flowers or colourful landscape...