doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Effective Approach for taking Before/After Pics

Can I get some advice on your experiences for creating a great place to take before and after photos. I have seen some great photos from folks on the board that have taken before after pics when they have restored a gun in some form or fashion.

I wanted advice on best color background, best lighting, how you hold the gun, camera/phone used, etc.

I am wanting to document some of my work and would like to have some good pics of the gun before and after. Thus far my picture attempts are good, but not great and figured some folks could give some advice I could try on the next restore. Thanks for the help in advance.

Jason

Cell phones now have a 2048X1152 (2.4 MP) setting which is adequate for images to be posted on forums. Use a tripod or rest to steady the camera. If using a digital camera, be sure to set it on "Macro" mode.

For enhancing and cropping the image on the photo hosting site, it is important to minimize unneeded background in the original image ie. fill the view finder just with what you want to capture.

Toesies and carpet in the image, though appealing, are unlikely to be helpful



Plenty of sun here in the desert, so I set up outside with the object in the shade of my neighbor's house, with the morning sun just clearing their roof and reflecting off my stucco. Even in the winter (here) direct sun gives too much glare, but the sun behind thin clouds works OK.

I use a dark grey solid background 10-12 inches behind the object which gives the image a 'floating in space' look

I have noticed the techniques for photographing coins translate very well to guns and there are ample resources available on the subject online.

I personally use a lamp (soft white bulbs seem to be the best) to highlight the object, with natural light in the room ideally, a solid blanket for a background and a digital camera. I wouldn't call my results impressive but they have been satisfactory for Gunbroker.

Michael Petrov has an excellent explanation, with pictures of the setup that he used down in the rifle forum. It's from a few years back and shouldn't be too tough to find on a search.

I really notice a difference when people take their pictures outside.

The best bulbs to use inside are ones having 5500-6500 kelvins using 45 watts, which translates to daylight. Frosted ones are great because of less shadows.

A digital SLR is the best way as you can use different lens. A good macro lens 60mm, 90mm, 100mm are best. A tripod is usually a must unless the lens has VR (vibration reduction), but the tripod is still better.
I use the cheap clamp on light fixtures with the aluminum reflector that you can pick up at hardware stores, Lowes, Home Depot, etc., with the above mentioned lamps.

If you really get into it, soft boxes with five of those lamps in it that can be independently turned on for various lighting.

I made a tent from PCV pipe and dollar store shower curtain for diffusion . Task lights from IKEA and Day light curly Q bulbs. I have a nice Nikon digital SLR but I now use my I phone.


All these photos were taken with this set up.
http://www.gunsinternational.com/marksbornagainbirdgunsllc

Thanks to everyone that contributed on this topic. Anyone have any tips on getting faint stampings or other markings to show up better?

With the adjustable lamps I adjust the angles to get the best contrast of proof marks and such.

Thanks Drew, Craig, and Mark. Pictures worth a thousand words and that pick of Mark's setup works for me. I'll start there but I'll look up Michael's tutorial too.

Jason