Smith & Wesson Forum

Advertise With Us Search
Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > General Topics > The Lounge
Reload this Page What and how do you photograph your guns?
Forum Register

The Lounge A Catch-All Area for NON-GUN topics.
PUT GUN TOPICS in the GUN FORUMS.
Keep it Family Friendly. See The Rules for Banned Topics!


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-06-2015, 09:13 AM
Triathloncoach's Avatar
Triathloncoach Triathloncoach is offline
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 3,407
Liked 2,206 Times in 788 Posts
Default What and how do you photograph your guns?
I typically use my HTC Max cell phone to photograph my guns. They are more than typically lousy photos.

I have a Nikon D40 or 60(?), but they also look bad relative to most of the photos I see posted on the various sites I frequent.

What set up do you use?

Thanks for assisting this technical dunderhead

Frank
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-06-2015, 09:36 AM
ChattanoogaPhil's Avatar
ChattanoogaPhil ChattanoogaPhil is offline
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 14,602
Likes: 7,937
Liked 20,623 Times in 5,958 Posts
Default
iPhone. Before that I never took a picture of a gun. Well that's not quite accurate. I never took a pic of a gun before I started to visit gun forums.

Not professional but good enough to post as far as I'm concerned.

The guys who understand lighting and have their cameras on stands take phenomenal pics. I just toss mine on the back deck out of the Sun and click.




Sometimes I like to play with the Photobucket editor.

[/URL]
Last edited by ChattanoogaPhil; 01-06-2015 at 10:41 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
  #3  
Old 01-06-2015, 09:40 AM
GunarSailors's Avatar
GunarSailors GunarSailors is offline
US Veteran
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 2,972
Liked 3,764 Times in 684 Posts
Default
I just use my Note 2 phones camera to take a picture. Upload it to Photobucket, and then copy the direct link to the photo in the comment window with a [IMG] before it and a [/IMG] after it. Not bad for a 2 year old phone...

__________________
USAF AMMO
Last edited by GunarSailors; 01-06-2015 at 05:46 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #4  
Old 01-06-2015, 12:00 PM
BigBoy99's Avatar
BigBoy99 BigBoy99 is offline
US Veteran
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SE Wisc.
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 785
Liked 6,629 Times in 2,091 Posts
Default
I have found that camera are best for taking pictures and phones are for communications.
__________________
Bill
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #5  
Old 01-06-2015, 12:12 PM
J. R. WEEMS J. R. WEEMS is offline
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 4,437
Liked 4,433 Times in 1,463 Posts
Smile photos
Funny. I started back in photography with a a 2.1 pic Cannon our youngest son gave us that layed around for a couple years. I quickly found out a tripod, and self timer was the way to go. This fired me up to try and improve- I've always had the photography bug, and this rekindled my interest. All else digital was a self learn effort and I am still at it. This includes post processing, and the learnings on the computer. I love it, to the extreme. Here is one of my past efforts.

Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-06-2015, 01:51 PM
RO73's Avatar
RO73 RO73 is offline
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 104
Likes: 31
Liked 117 Times in 29 Posts
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by J. R. WEEMS View Post
Funny. I started back in photography with a a 2.1 pic Cannon our youngest son gave us that layed around for a couple years. I quickly found out a tripod, and self timer was the way to go. This fired me up to try and improve- I've always had the photography bug, and this rekindled my interest. All else digital was a self learn effort and I am still at it. This includes post processing, and the learnings on the computer. I love it, to the extreme. Here is one of my past efforts.

Great picture. Do you use a light box? If so, do you recommend buying or making one on the cheap? Thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-06-2015, 05:17 PM
zipty6 zipty6 is offline
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 595
Likes: 4,526
Liked 2,076 Times in 336 Posts
Default
I use a light box constructed from a cardboard box, tissue paper, and poster board. Search online for "DIY Lightbox" and you'll find several sites with instructions.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #8  
Old 01-06-2015, 05:32 PM
Fishinfool's Avatar
Fishinfool Fishinfool is offline
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Central PA
Posts: 4,577
Likes: 8,248
Liked 11,478 Times in 3,035 Posts
Default
In a nutshell, it's all about lighting, and how you manipulate it to provide even, shadow free lighting, without any glare.

Several strategically placed lights, along with a couple sheets of white reflecting cardboard can do wonders.

Using a tripod or rest to avoid camera shake (blurry pictures), the self timer function, or a cable release, and a little post processing in your computer is all you need for a quality result.

Don't be afraid to experiment with lighting and camera settings (Usually a faster shutter speed, and a smaller aperture works best).

Larry
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #9  
Old 01-06-2015, 05:42 PM
wundudnee's Avatar
wundudnee wundudnee is offline
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Auburn, Kansas
Posts: 1,298
Likes: 4,577
Liked 4,813 Times in 884 Posts
Default
I use an old point and shoot Sony Cybershot. I use a tripod quite a bit and the timer on the camera. I take a hundred pictures and pick out the best one. I am seriously impressed with a lot of the posters here efforts.

I need to get with it and make a light box. I rarely try to use a flash, just house and shop drop lights to take out shadows.



Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #10  
Old 01-06-2015, 05:48 PM
tacreload tacreload is offline
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: western pa.
Posts: 916
Likes: 1,620
Liked 1,443 Times in 342 Posts
Default
Coach, I take most of my pics with a Nikon D70 and a few with a Sony Cybershot.The Nikon always seems to be the better choice although it is probably the carpenter and not the hammer in my case.I'm usually never satisfied.I pick the best and delete the rest,usually after a lot of editing.
__________________
I'm just here for the guns.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #11  
Old 01-06-2015, 06:06 PM
pharmer's Avatar
pharmer pharmer is online now
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Santo las nubes, Florida
Posts: 9,057
Likes: 9,335
Liked 14,881 Times in 4,747 Posts
Default
Outdoor shots seem best. I can't take an indoor pic worth the effort. Joe
__________________
Wisdom chases me; I'm faster
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #12  
Old 01-06-2015, 06:10 PM
tacreload tacreload is offline
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: western pa.
Posts: 916
Likes: 1,620
Liked 1,443 Times in 342 Posts
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by pharmer View Post
Outdoor shots seem best. I can't take an indoor pic worth the effort. Joe
You ain't the only one.
__________________
I'm just here for the guns.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-06-2015, 06:31 PM
snubbyfan's Avatar
snubbyfan snubbyfan is online now
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: WVa East Panhandle
Posts: 28,666
Likes: 71,260
Liked 81,855 Times in 18,485 Posts
Default
I use this old thing.

Set stuff on the cuttin' mat on my work bench.

And snap the picture.

Been workin' on gettin' decent detail shots.
__________________
Keep on Chooglin'
Last edited by snubbyfan; 01-06-2015 at 06:37 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #14  
Old 01-06-2015, 06:48 PM
Smith357's Avatar
Smith357 Smith357 is offline
Moderator
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 4,521
Likes: 931
Liked 3,591 Times in 816 Posts
Default
I use an older Canon G12, I think they are up to G16 now, it does everything a DSLR does save the interchangeable lenses. I like it because it's still small enough to fit in a pocket, barely. I use a Bogen tripod and take a lot of shots adjusting the settings in manual mode. I use multiple lighting setups from a small light box to setting up outside on a cloudy day.







__________________
Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #15  
Old 01-06-2015, 06:53 PM
Laketime's Avatar
Laketime Laketime is offline
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 3,147
Likes: 2,420
Liked 3,590 Times in 1,597 Posts
Default
I use an iPhone 4 ,takes high def videos but low resolution pics.For every 20 pics I take, one or two are sharp.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #16  
Old 01-06-2015, 07:11 PM
Sconnie's Avatar
Sconnie Sconnie is offline
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: WI
Posts: 758
Likes: 1,022
Liked 1,023 Times in 396 Posts
Default
I agree that lighting is key but so is the context or something in the shot for scale is key also. What I mean is in a thread from back in October that has a couple shots that I REALLY like. I have a Nikon D90 that I need to get out and try to get some decent shots with. My guns are all shooters so I don't have any dazzling darlings but I love those that I have.

I have to say that I am very impressed with shots from phone cameras for the most part. Outside of photos that are blurred, there are no bad shots if a Smith and Wesson is in it.

Handgun Photography- Techniques?

I have to admit that I love the threads where folks post shots of their treasures. They don't share how they do it since the topic isn't about photography but some are very good.
Last edited by Sconnie; 01-06-2015 at 07:30 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #17  
Old 01-06-2015, 07:25 PM
Triathloncoach's Avatar
Triathloncoach Triathloncoach is offline
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 3,407
Liked 2,206 Times in 788 Posts
Default
Thanks everyone. I learned something, while "tricking" you to post up some nice gun-porn.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 01-06-2015, 08:01 PM
Rick_A's Avatar
Rick_A Rick_A is offline
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Northern GA
Posts: 2,841
Likes: 2,025
Liked 4,843 Times in 1,479 Posts
Default
This forum has some of the best firearm photography I've seen online.

I wait for good conditions and do my best with the ****** cell phone cam. At close range it does ok.

For whatever reason these have had the most attention:

20130927_132119 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

20140915_101230 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

20140915_101444 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

20140723_111203 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

20140723_111238 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

20140723_111359 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

20140728_154830 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

20140909_113915 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

As with guns...the limitation is often the shooter

These have been my top photos on Photobucket, though neither are particularly good:

Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #19  
Old 01-06-2015, 11:19 PM
Cyrano's Avatar
Cyrano Cyrano is offline
US Veteran
Absent Comrade
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 7,579
Likes: 13,500
Liked 6,743 Times in 2,526 Posts
Default
I use this cheap copy stand I've had for many years. I got a couple of cheap (my middle name) gooseneck lamps and put pigtail lights in them at close to outdoor lighting color temperature and bounce the light off the white ceiling. Keeps things simple. I currently use a Leica v-Lux but am not too happy with it. I'll probably go to a Canon D5 and a dedicated macro lens. The Leica is OK except at fairly short close-ups, and I always have to boost up the color saturation and the contrast. I envy the guys who have interesting and appropriate backgrounds, or shadowless illumination on a white background. Still, sometimes the results aren't too bad.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg L1020991.jpg (44.0 KB, 36 views)
File Type: jpg L1020868.jpg (62.9 KB, 38 views)
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 01-06-2015, 11:50 PM
flundertaker's Avatar
flundertaker flundertaker is offline
SWCA Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 176
Liked 1,434 Times in 419 Posts
Default
I'm still trying to figure out how RKMESA and Doc4 get the awesome shots of their guns standing up right with no apparent prop rod.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 01-07-2015, 07:39 AM
soFlaNative's Avatar
soFlaNative soFlaNative is online now
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Hollywood
Posts: 10,867
Likes: 16,766
Liked 26,016 Times in 8,023 Posts
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by Triathloncoach View Post
I typically use my HTC Max cell phone to photograph my guns. They are more than typically lousy photos.


Frank
This is true...
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 01-07-2015, 12:31 PM
J. R. WEEMS J. R. WEEMS is offline
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 4,437
Liked 4,433 Times in 1,463 Posts
Smile
Quote:
Originally Posted by RO73 View Post
Great picture. Do you use a light box? If so, do you recommend buying or making one on the cheap? Thanks.
I have, and have used a light box. The one I have is a bit large for what I did, but I learned to work around it. Given a choice, I will use shade on a cloudy day -- There are many here who have inspired me to do , or try and do better, but that I will never be on par with-- first to come to mind would be Doc 44 -- I have also used 3 'daylight' flood lights.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 01-07-2015, 05:31 PM
RO73's Avatar
RO73 RO73 is offline
Member
What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns? What and how do you photograph your guns?  
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 104
Likes: 31
Liked 117 Times in 29 Posts
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by J. R. WEEMS View Post
I have, and have used a light box. The one I have is a bit large for what I did, but I learned to work around it. Given a choice, I will use shade on a cloudy day -- There are many here who have inspired me to do , or try and do better, but that I will never be on par with-- first to come to mind would be Doc 44 -- I have also used 3 'daylight' flood lights.
Thanks. I've been playing around with my DSLR and would like to try a few shots using a light box. I've done the outside thing but I don't think my settings were right. I'm still learning about aperture, ISO etc.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How to photograph a gun SLT223 The Lounge 62 03-05-2016 09:14 PM
Relatively uncommon photograph pace40 S&W Antiques 11 01-30-2014 03:31 PM
How to make a better photograph? MrTrolleyguy The Lounge 9 10-23-2013 05:09 AM
Origin of old photograph? ElmerKeith The Lounge 15 07-11-2013 08:58 PM
Stunning photograph from Space PALADIN85020 The Lounge 16 05-29-2010 11:51 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:02 PM.

Advertise with us - Contact Us - Smith & Wesson Forum - Top - Privacy Policy

Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)