Are there any threads on the Forum that discuss or share techniques for photographing handguns for posting or cataloging? I've taken my share of photos, but in general they are not very well posed, or they're too dark or too light, or the nickel is too shiny and glares. What about the best way to use outside natural light? What about flash photos for nickel or blued guns? I prefer not to use a light box and to take outdoor shots. It would save me a lot of time and aggravation if some of our Forum gurus have already posted their secrets! Thanks.

Do a search for "light box", and you'll find a lot.

I learned how to make a light box for photographing guns and other tabletop items from plans posted here.

Bounce flash is your friend.

The problem with taking pics of guns is the glare. Almost all guns have some kind of shiny surface. To eliminate the glare from the flash or other light sources, bouncing the flash off the ceiling is the way to go.

Here's a good example:


Without bouncing the flash, the casings would have created a ton of glare. Also, the finish on the grip panels would have shown a very bright reflection. As it was though, there is only a little glare from the grips and tiny bit from the casings.

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Freedom isn't free.

Here are some more. No light box, just judicious lighting angles and bouncing the flash.

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Freedom isn't free.

I get my best pictures of guns outside, but in the shade. I have trouble getting them to upload to most sites as most sites use massive compression that distorts the edges of the pictures, so no matter how good the picture is that I take the site compression wrecks it.

Good shots (pictures) can be done outside but OUT of any direct sunlight, like under a table umbrella?? or as noted above, in the shade a bit...and you MUST use a tripod and the macro setting...nice thing about digital cameras you can do it over and over and over (erase is your friend) and practice....

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dan
NRA Benefactor,PMA

Thanks for the pointers, guys. I'll grab the digital camera and go take some practice pics and see how things turn out. Hopefully you'll see some good results in future Forum posts.

Outdoor pictures, use "indirect" light. The North side of the house, etc. where the direct sunlight does not fall on the subject. An overcast day where there is no bright sun can also make great lighting for gun pictures.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I just use my cell phone camera, and I'm no expert, but I feel I get the best results outside in indirect lighting on an interesting background. And I think it makes the photo more interesting to throw in something else, for scale and composition of the pic, so I often try to do that.

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How God has blessed us!

That is a very nice photo Rastofff. I have never seen shell casings like that as a background. Makes it really jump out at you.

And having something for scale, particularly like the live rounds in Erich's second photo is a great idea too. Camera phone or not.

But I have done photography of tricky and shiny objects before for work and play.

Diffuse light, thru a hanky or a sheet, or bounce flash off of a non shiny surface. I used a dull white card with a texture to bounce from. You'll have to adjust for light levels that are lower than a regular flash unless your camera can handle it automatically, which nowadays they probably do.

Open shade, that is, in the shade but with reflected light from the outdoors. I've done some stuff on my porch.

A technique that I DON'T LIKE is to enhance edge glare by using a cross screen filter also known as as star filter. This looks neat, but has been totally overused in photos of chromed motorcycles. It may work if you can't completely get rid of unwanted reflections.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cros...re%3B521%3B348

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I recently picked up a photo tent, and have been experimenting
with it. My pictures are a little bit on the yellow side, which I
believe means I need more light for indoor picture taking. I
have two side lights of 75 watts, and one top light of 60 watts.
I obviously need more wattage. For those who have more
experience, how much wattage do your two side lights have?
And, are you using those daylight CFL's?