Photography Critique

George_in_SD

George_in_SD

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Any tips, critiques, or advice appreciated. General photography discussion welcome!

I currently use a nice Nikon point and shoot, however a proper canon camera is along the horizon. I'm considering a ring flash and several flash strobes.

Here's where I started:

Lightbox outside in direct sunlight, tripod, point and shoot:


White sheet outside in indirect light, point and shoot:


White sheet outside in indirect light, point and shoot:


Lightbox inside, two lamps, tripod and point and shoot:


Lightbox inside with four lamps, tripod and point and shoot:


Lightbox inside with six lamps, tripod, and point and shoot:





 
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Save your money on the ring flash. Good ones are crazy expensive and won't improve what you're already doing by much. Cheap ones are, well, cheap and will only frustrate you.

The pics you're getting are actually quite good. You are using your light box very effectively.

One suggestion would be a background change. A white background with a black (blued) gun makes it difficult for the camera to meter. Further, it makes the viewing kind of harsh. Switch the background to a light brown felt or some other contrasting, but non-reflective, surface.

Also, getting the gun up off the background adds depth.

Keep playing with it. I like what you've done so far. Remember, it's the photographer not the equipment that makes for good pics.

MampP45_zps09d9a991.jpg


OnCasesHogueMagWellNoSFvignettesmall_zps9ec54b94.jpg
 
Rastoff said:
getting the gun up off the background adds depth.
Click to expand...

Yes, that would be an improvement. Can be done with a home-made light box that includes a pane of glass to hold the gun a few inches above the background.
 
George if we want inspiration from our forum we can look at the work of fotoman12001.

Examining his work is a tutorial in itself that will change forever the way you set up a shot.

Don't blush fotoman.

He could possibly be an amateur but if he is not a professional he missed his calling.

Here is some of his lovely work.













It goes on and on......

 
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Well I will compliment you for using the extra lighting, a big improvement I thought.
 
Excellent photography. I think the revolvers in the boxes are a bit dark. However, they can be lightened a bit in Photoshop. I did some photo work for DeSantis when I was there. I used photofloods for additional illumination and for fill. Worked real great.
 
I need to get off of my lazy butt and put my D-800 back to work!
Some one once had a description of how to make a homemade light box, does anyone remember it , and can you post a link to it?
Jack
 
I agree with federali - use photoshop to bring out some detail in the dark shadows. Are you working the images first as raw files in adobe camera raw? Work those shadow / highlight sliders first. I agree too with skipping the ring flash, instead use a soft box and experiment with different lighting using that, such as where the main light is positioned. And you don't need strobes - you're not stopping any action, so hot lights and a long exposure are fine. And cheaper. And offer better control. You're on the right track - nice work BTW. Nice depth of field and sharpness, and compositions too.
 
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Well played around with the lights again.

I took a plate of glass and propped it up an inch or two off a white background underneath. Then I tried bouncing my lights off a flag, with pretty good results.

I found an easier time getting a pure white background, but I need a bigger piece of glass.

 
George,
Your photos are great but the one of the 38 Chiefs Special with the red box really pops. I like that photo a lot.
John
 
George_in_SD said:
Click to expand...
OK, this pic is very nice. Excellent contrast without over exposing it. No glare on the gun itself, but still have all the details lit. The blued gun with the brown paper behind it is a great contrast. The composition is very professionally done.

Very nice.

Another thought...

Using the glass to lift it off the background creates some of its own problems. It gives the photo depth, but can have some undesirable reflections. I use wood blocks underneath whatever I'm photographing. This gets it off the surface, is hidden behind the subject and avoids the reflection issues.

Of course, sometimes you want those reflections. In the .38 Chief's Special, I like the slight reflection of the box in the lower middle. It adds some depth to the pic.

I really like what you're doing and can't wait to see more.
 
The Chattahoochee Cutlery Club brought in a photographer a while back to discuss photographing knives. He was a professional who has had much of his work published in various knife magazines. Knives present many of the same challenges as gun photography, and then some. I only wish I had taped his presentation as it put forth a wealth of information to people like me. I'm still a snap shot kind of guy. Great thread here.
 
You are well on your way you have produced some very good photo's. Bouncing light can add a softer light an still provide plenty of light. A go thing about the digital age you can take a lot of pictures screen then without having to wait or paying for developing. Keep at it and keep left
learning. Try simple filters they can add some depth.
 
Your pics all look better than mine. So much so that I'm not posting any. Having said that, to my eyes the first ones taken outside without much fuss look as good as the ones taken with the tripod and lights.
 
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