Photographing your 3rd Gens!

[TTSH]

Some members do such a great job of it... ... and some, like me, are seriously photography challenged.

It's almost time for me to post some photos of my latest 3rd Gen acquisitions... but I'm already thinking it will be another ******, poorly lit hack job on the kitchen table that will look like Hell.

First and foremost, I think I need a better background and better lighting. Is there something I should buy for best results? A so-called "backdrop" maybe? How do some of you folks get that clean, infinite background look such as this:



To fund my 3rd Gen addiction, I'll need to sell off some other guns this fall from my accumulation... so this question is relevant from that aspect too. The better the pix, the more interest and success I am likely to have.

Anyway, enough said. How do you folks do it???

[oldman10mm]

I use my darkroom enlarger stand with the enlarger head removed. I converted from film to digital long ago. The darkroom enlarger stand also used 1/4-20 screw just like all cameras. A light in a reflector bowl on each side. The digital image from the camera is put into Photoshop Elements. The grey of the enlarger stand 'easel' is color corrected by Photoshops' color cast function which in turn corrects all the colors in the picture. Then rotation,crop,and brightness/darkness levels adjustment. My equipment on hand from photographic days allows this.

[Arik]

Originally Posted by oldman10mm

I use my darkroom enlarger stand with the enlarger head removed. I converted from film to digital long ago. The darkroom enlarger stand also used 1/4-20 screw just like all cameras. A light in a reflector bowl on each side. The digital image from the camera is put into Photoshop Elements. The grey of the enlarger stand 'easel' is color corrected by Photoshops' color cast function which in turn corrects all the colors in the picture. Then rotation,crop,and brightness/darkness levels adjustment. My equipment on hand from photographic days allows this.

That has a 60s or 70s feel to it!

[TTSH]

I don't feel comfortable re-posting photos posted by others as classic examples, but it really is that "infinite background" effect that I'd love to achieve. How do they do that?

[Mainsail]

Rule #1: If you're going to photograph a firearm laying on the carpet, be sure to crop your toes out of the picture.

[loeman]

INO, the first thing you need is a digital camera and tripod that can be set on either manual exposure, time exposure or aperture exposure. Sounds complicated but it isn't. This allows you to keep changing the exposure settings until you get just what you want. The second thing you need is light and LOTS OF IT! I'm not a big fan of taking pictures outdoors so I usually use my cheap photo flood lights I bought as a kit online. Third get a background. I use black photo paper for stainless and nickel and a light tent for blued. Here are two examples. And finally practice until you get the results you like.

Using black photo paper as a background.



This one was taken in a light tent.

[loeman]

I should add that I use a digital SLR camera. These are getting pretty reasonable now. They allow you to see the exact picture you will get before you take it. They also allow you to change lenses, but for guns, I find the basic zoom lens that came with the camera works just fine.

[WTN1271]

Goggle search "light box photography ". Lots of good info on how to build your set up or you can purchase kits with all the items needed. I made my own using lights and a metal framed "box" that I had lying around. I did purchase some material from a fabric store to diffuse the light. Worked well.....good luck.

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by Mainsail

Rule #1: If you're going to photograph a firearm laying on the carpet, be sure to crop your toes out of the picture.

And the other classic rule... Have some clothes on when you take a photo of anything even semi-reflective!

I think we are all aware of some of the more "embarrassing" results on Armslist and elsewhere!

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by WTN1271

Goggle search "light box photography ". Lots of good info on how to build your set up or you can purchase kits with all the items needed. I made my own using lights and a metal framed "box" that I had lying around. I did purchase some material from a fabric store to diffuse the light. Worked well.....good luck.

Ahhhh!!! Okay! So that's how they do it!

Sign me up! I'll start making one today!

[fotoman12001]

If you have 50 minutes to kill, I did a demo video on my photographing process: http://youtu.be/Iftice_BYlE

There is some additional information here: Building a Light Box (Tent) - RimfireCentral.com Forums

You don't have to break the bank to get good photos. I have a Nikon D7000 and Coolpix A that I use but an expensive camera is not required. My walk-around and underwater camera is an older Canon S90 that I got used for $150. It does a nice job.

I recommend the following:

• A camera capable of manual settings (ISO, shutter speed, aperature) with a self timer. It doesn't need to be expensive. You can get a lot of used digital cameras for $100-200 that will take great photos.
• A tripod. Once again, you don't need to bleed cash here. If you're not hiking with it and it's used indoors, just about any sturdy tripod will do.
• Proper light. Use a room with a lot of light in it and use a few items to control the light. You can get a very usable light box on Amazon for less than $50 (see the video) but it's not a requirement. I have used, and still do sometimes, white sheets and t-shirts to diffuse or reduce light. Light coming through a diffusing material (white sheet) will be softer and less harsh allowing you to see detail better.
• Fill the frame. Be thoughtful about placement of items in the frame. Don't leave a lot of dead space. Get close to the subject so you can show detail.
• A post processing software is very nice to have but it's not required. You don't have to get full blown Photoshop (expensive). Something like Photoshop Elements can be had for less than $100 and will do what most people need. I think there are even some free options.
• Be creative. Experiment with positions, lighting, setting, etc. Digital photography makes this cheap and easy!
• As mentioned earlier, no feet

Some examples:

















These are were taken in the same room without the light box. The light isn't quite as soft but not bad.

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by fotoman12001

Some examples:

One word... WOW!!! Just WOW!!!

I will check out your video and link ASAP!

I don't mind spending some money for a light tent/light box now that I know about them. Hope I can find one locally. If not, I'll do Amazon or similar. I just hope I don't need to buy a new camera too. Right now I'm using my BIL's camera... a Canon 10 MP compact electronic maybe 5 years old? It seems fine for everyday & vacation stuff but I'm sure no pro at the close-up detail stuff.

Holy cow!!! This could open up a whole new aspect of this hobby for me!

[skjos]

I don’t do a lot of post processing, but I found Paint.NET (freeware) much more user friendly than Photoshop Elements.

For lighting I use a cheap collapsible soft box (less than $20 on ebay) and light the heck out of it.

[BAM-BAM]

Originally Posted by TTSH

Some members do such a great job of it... ... and some, like me, are seriously photography challenged.





How do you folks do it???

I don't recognize that model........... looks like one of the newer fantastic plastic guns....... can it shoot +P????????

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by BAM-BAM

I don't recognize that model........... looks like one of the newer fantastic plastic guns....... can it shoot +P????????

Wise guy!

[BAM-BAM]

Originally Posted by TTSH

Wise guy!

Don't know what you have in a camera but....with digital cameras photography is a lot of more fun (for me) than the old film way........ you can take all the pictures you want and only keep the few you really like....... you can experiment with setting and lighting without the wait for the film to be developed..........no film to buy ....... or waiting to shoot a whole roll!!!!

As a "Good Scotsman"(AKA cheap)....... once you get the camera and lens........ it's not that expensive to take bunches of photos.

[Gunhacker]

Originally Posted by TTSH

Some members do such a great job of it... ... and some, like me, are seriously photography challenged.

It's almost time for me to post some photos of my latest 3rd Gen acquisitions... but I'm already thinking it will be another ******, poorly lit hack job on the kitchen table that will look like Hell.

First and foremost, I think I need a better background and better lighting. Is there something I should buy for best results? A so-called "backdrop" maybe? How do some of you folks get that clean, infinite background look such as this:



To fund my 3rd Gen addiction, I'll need to sell off some other guns this fall from my accumulation... so this question is relevant from that aspect too. The better the pix, the more interest and success I am likely to have.

Anyway, enough said. How do you folks do it???

It's about lighting... look at the different directions it is showing in the pic.

You have bright areas emanating from behind the ball, and surrounding the base of the ball, with the front of the ball shaded, and a shadow of the ball itself extending out in front of it... that says "back lighting". Not unlike what happens with a lunar eclipse when the moon is in front of the sun.... the ultimate in back lighting

But at the same time, there is a shadow being cast directly under it, due to the light being projected from above by the light that you can see reflected in the top of the ball, it's also creating a halo/donut effect under the ball because of the shadow it created in the middle of the light from the back lighting.

Plus light diffusers are probably being used to give it that softened look. If not photo-shopped, someone did a heck of a job setting that up, they have the two lighting effects perfectly balanced against each other!

[nocents]

Originally Posted by BAM-BAM

........... looks like one of the newer fantastic plastic guns....... can it shoot +P????????

.........yes...as long as it's ball ammo

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by nocents

.........yes...as long as it's ball ammo

Oh Geez! Another Wise Guy!!!

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by Gunhacker

It's about lighting... look at the different directions it is showing in the pic.

You have bright areas emanating from behind the ball, and surrounding the base of the ball, with the front of the ball shaded, and a shadow of the ball itself extending out in front of it... that says "back lighting". Not unlike what happens with a lunar eclipse when the moon is in front of the sun.... the ultimate in back lighting

But at the same time, there is a shadow being cast directly under it, due to the light being projected from above by the light that you can see reflected in the top of the ball, it's also creating a halo/donut effect under the ball because of the shadow it created in the middle of the light from the back lighting.

Plus light diffusers are probably being used to give it that softened look. If not photo-shopped, someone did a heck of a job setting that up, they have the two lighting effects perfectly balanced against each other!

I'm just trying to achieve that nice, clean "infinite background" effect (I think I'm using the right term) so that folks don't have to look at my kitchen table, bedding, rugs, floors, pajamas or any other such silly, irrelevant background nonsense. I believe the light box (or light tent) is exactly what I am looking for. Once I buy one or make one, I'll play around with the lighting and see what I can achieve. I'm not going to kid myself and start thinking I can achieve professional-grade results without a significant investment of time, money and effort. Rather, I just want to achieve something a few rungs above average and certainly something better than my past efforts.

I think I get it now. Just got to find or make a proper light box and give it a go!

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by BAM-BAM

Don't know what you have in a camera but....with digital cameras photography is a lot of more fun (for me) than the old film way........ you can take all the pictures you want and only keep the few you really like....... you can experiment with setting and lighting without the wait for the film to be developed..........no film to buy ....... or waiting to shoot a whole roll!!!!

As a "Good Scotsman"(AKA cheap)....... once you get the camera and lens........ it's not that expensive to take bunches of photos.

Oh yes... ... no more old-fashioned film ever. That's a given!

The real question is: What can I achieve with my BIL's Canon digital camera and a new light box/light tent... or would I be happier and better off with something a bit more upscale in a digital camera?

It's not like I'm made of money (hardly!!!). But the good wife is still looking for a suitable birthday present for me... even though my birthday was almost 2 months ago.

[nocents]

TTSH.....if you are looking at cameras like I am....go with the Canon or Nikon.....I have a Pentax and it sux

[Arik]

Originally Posted by TTSH

Oh yes... ... no more old-fashioned film ever. That's a given!

The real question is: What can I achieve with my BIL's Canon digital camera and a new light box/light tent... or would I be happier and better off with something a bit more upscale in a digital camera?

It's not like I'm made of money (hardly!!!). But the good wife is still looking for a suitable birthday present for me... even though my birthday was almost 2 months ago.

What no more Polaroid?

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by nocents

TTSH.....if you are looking at cameras like I am....go with the Canon or Nikon.....I have a Pentax and it sux

I do like the BIL's Canon. It's on semi-permanent "loan" to the TTSH household. If I were to get a new one, Canon would be the first brand I would consider. The wife's (high end but rather old) Nikon is no slouch either... but the Canon wins IMHO between the two.

Originally Posted by Arik

What no more Polaroid?

Bam-Bam claims to be a lot younger than hideously old and decrepit me, but some of his posts seem to suggest otherwise!

[db4570]

I'm just trying to achieve that nice, clean "infinite background" effect (I think I'm using the right term) so that folks don't have to look at my kitchen table, bedding, rugs, floors, pajamas or any other such silly, irrelevant background nonsense. I believe the light box (or light tent) is exactly what I am looking for.

I think you're confusing two different items.

The first is the background. It is usually just a sweep of paper called "white seamless" by photographers. Any photo supply outfit will sell you a roll for $30 or so. You just lay it flat on a table, and gradually sweep it up to vertical a few feet behind the object. This is what gives you your "infinite" look.

The second is the lighting. You need to use off-camera lighting, and at least a couple different lights, and some reflectors or bounce cards. This is where it starts to get more involved, but not necessarily expensive. Too involved for me to discuss in detail right now.

I never really liked the "light tents", which tend to surround the object and make it look too soft and featureless.

The least important thing is the camera. I can create far more impressive pictures with a $300 camera/lens and correct lighting than someone can with a $3000 camera without correct lighting.

David

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by db4570

I think you're confusing two different items.

The first is the background. It is usually just a sweep of paper called "white seamless" by photographers. Any photo supply outfit will sell you a roll for $30 or so. You just lay it flat on a table, and gradually sweep it up to vertical a few feet behind the object. This is what gives you your "infinite" look.

The second is the lighting. You need to use off-camera lighting, and at least a couple different lights, and some reflectors or bounce cards. This is where it starts to get more involved, but not necessarily expensive. Too involved for me to discuss in detail right now.

I never really liked the "light tents", which tend to surround the object and make it look too soft and featureless.

I do "get" what you're saying about the two different aspects of what I am trying to achieve. Perhaps I could have been clearer about the fact that there are really two separate issues I desperately need to address: 1) better backgrounds, and 2) better lighting. I picked up on that important distinction early on but haven't been all that clear when talking about it.

I still think I will benefit from a good-sized light box/light tent into which a white (or other color) background can be properly fitted. The experimentation will start next week as my new photography "subject" finally arrived today after a long wait (Thank God!!!).

[RaylanGivens]

I spent 15.00 on Amazon and got a 36" Cowboys Studio light tent. It works. I am no professional, but my pictures stand out on all the local DFW sales sites. I went from kitchen table photos to this:

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by RaylanGivens

I spent 15.00 on Amazon and got a 36" Cowboys Studio light tent. It works. I am no professional, but my pictures stand out on all the local DFW sales sites. I went from kitchen table photos to this...

Works for me!!! I didn't see that one. I'll check it out!

[MET21]

A tip I once received long ago was to take pictures outside out of the sunlight. I take them in the shadows of my home, front or back, with a ten year old CoolPix2000 and they look great. Better yet on a cloudy day.
Mike

[scoobysnacker]

Along with handguns, cameras and photography is my other hobby (although I haven't gotten around to combining the two yet).

Older DSLRs are great, and even better for the budget are the mirrorless cameras (Olympus, Sony NEX etc). There are adapters that allow you to mount practically any lens on either of those platforms, I use the Olympus.
There are lots of excellent, manual-focus lenses that are no longer being made, and won't fit without an adapter on a modern camera- Minolta MD/MC Rokkor lenses, Canon FD (like on the AE-1), Konica Hexanon, etc. No, you don't get autofocus. But you do get an extremely sharp lens, for really cheap (most of mine were in the $10-20 range), while an AF lens with equivalent optical specs might run 20 times as much, at least.

And for shooting a still image, manual is the best way to go. You focus on precisely the area you want; autofocus will sometimes jump to a different depth.

[TTSH]

Well, as of today, I gave up on building my own "home-made" light box... ... and ordered a whole Light Tent Kit w/lights, backgrounds et al through a certain large auction website.

Meanwhile, both of my new (to me) 3rd Gen "subjects" have arrived. One is all ready to "shoot"... while the other one is going to need a little clean-up before I can do anything with it. It arrived literally soaking wet in some thick kind of oil. You'd have to see it (and smell it) before you'd even believe it. And I don't want to ruin my new Light Tent and backgrounds with dripping oil. Even worse, the 3rd Gen wrap-around grips will need to be soaked in something for a long time to get all the oil out and make them look normal again... or I'll just bite the bullet and replace them. What the heck was the seller thinking???