How to photograph a gun

[SLT223]

I would like to call on the expertise of this forum to help some of us who are not so handy with a camera. Some of the photography I have seen on this site is nothing shy of professional. There seems to be a good number of forum members who really know what they are doing with a camera. I on the other hand do not, but would like to be able to post picture qualities that are on par with what Doc44, and 29-1 (just to name a couple) seem to do on a regular basis. I am hoping some forum members can offer advice in photography techniques, and suggest what cameras work best for them.

 

[Jim Shugart]

Dr. Ken Lunde takes the best gun photos that I've ever seen. Check them out here. His advice on photographing guns is at the bottom of the page.

I just take mine outside on an overcast day and shoot (no pun intended). The diffuse lighting seems to work OK. Direct lighting and especially flash will usually produce highlights and screw up your photos.

Hope this helps.

- Jim

 

[gunlovingirl]

+1 on the no flash comment. It also helps to have a contrasting backgound. White for blued and darker colors for stainless and nickel. Also, even with experience, your photos are only going to be as good as the subject and camera!

 

[Jim Shugart]

Even if I do say so myself, this one doesn't totally suck.

Plopped that Woodsman on a red blanket and pushed the button. . .

Linda (digishots) where are you?

(She can give Ken Lunde some serious competition.)

- Jim

 

[Mickey D]

Great site Jim. Dr. Lunde's photos are exceptional. Does he photograph revolvers too?

Natural light or defused lighting in a light box.

 

[GF]

Great site Jim. Dr. Lunde's photos are exceptional. Does he photograph revolvers too?

Natural light or defused lighting in a light box.

There is a section of "assorted revolvers."

I take pictures outside at dusk or early morning. Cheap little camera with a MIC setting.

My bad photo skills hide the flaws in my beat-up guns!

GF

 

[rags]

This helped me the most but have a "long" way to go!

Light Box / Light Tent Photo Gallery by Bill Huber at pbase.com

Hell, I don't know! Ask fyimo He's got it down to a science!

 

[sipowicz]

The trick is not to get them posing....for natural photographs, leave you gun out a few hours and ignore it...then quickly snap a pic when it least it least suspects....

 

[GF]

Yeah but when I try that, it always has it's ejector rod exposed.

I am so sorry.

GF

 

[doublesharp]

Outside, light at your back, use a tripod and auto timer.

DHart was the first great gun photographer I remember.

 

[digi-shots]

Even if I do say so myself, this one doesn't totally suck.

Plopped that Woodsman on a red blanket and pushed the button. . .

Linda (digishots) where are you?

(She can give Ken Lunde some serious competition.)

- Jim

Jim, that's a good shot of the Woodsman!

Sometimes it's just trial and error... lots of pics.. and sometimes you get lucky!

Jim, here's a couple of Glock pics just for you:

and a few other "smokin" pics...

Outdoors in a shady area or under an overcast sky is great.
Here's a pic of a basic S&W model 15, photographed on a mirror with any overcast grey sky:

 

[michael thornton]

i have better luck outside, but not great?

 

[NCTexan]

I've used the lightbox that rags24 mentioned with great results.

Here's a Model 41 with a Burris Fastfire.

 

[gizamo]

Take a fine finished revolver and toss it on some rocks....
Doesn't matter if the pic comes out good or bad, you'll get a reaction from the viewer...

giz

 

[smith41mag]

How do you get the smoke to work with the gun pics?

 

[boykinlp]

Nice, but I hear second-hand smoke can be bad for you!

 

[RonJ]

When I'm in the mood I prefer a few props and an appropriate background. Usually I'm too lazy and shoot the most basic documentary pics.

 

[dennis40x]

This as good as a can do with a point and shoot camera. Overcast day with periodic rain.

 

[whitecoyote]

I find out door lighting works best for me. Also, very important is depth of field.

 

[oldRoger]

This was taken in a light tent(same as a box) they are not very expensive and available in sizes from those for jewelry up to ones for cars.
Guns are fairly large, I usually don’t use my Macro Lenses, a zoom is good for framing, a tripod is a must, with tripod you do not need bright lights. NO FLASH.
If you want to “float” the object you will need light behind it.