Nephew taking pics of guns....its a learning curve

Locust Fork

I've got him working on some pictures. He is going good, but we need to go over some things. I hate giving instructions in this kind of thing. Its hard because you know how you want things done....but each thing is different, so its like you are starting over with each and every thing.

He took over 70 pics of one rifle. He will get it. Especially once he sees his pictures and how things turn out. Its hard when you are taking them...the little screen on the camera doesn't give you a lot to go by. It would take too long to upload each gun and go over it.

We are doing groups of 10.

catgunguy

It is very good experience for him. You are a very patient person. I don't have that much any more.

Locust Fork

Its going to take a few trys before he gets down what he needs to and what he doesn't.

Check this out. NOBODY can say they didn't see something on this rifle......

http://www.GunBroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=356746350

jwharding

He covered it pretty good.[:)]
JW

GONESHOOTING

On ebay that would cost you a fortune with all those photos [:D]


Good job on the photos!

barbwired

Honestly if you were in a gun store those are all the things you would look for before buying. That's why I take so many pictures. I think he did a Excelent Job! Give that boy a raise![:D]

Locust Fork

He liked it....he never thought about how many different types of things he would see in one day.

He has a full time job so this can't be very regular, but if he wants to make some time and earn a little gas money I think he did fine.

I really appreciate the help too.

ChrisInTempe

Pretty good. Suggest in the next lessons bring up cropping out the under the table, above the table stuff. Use cropping to minimize the white field, maximize the gun.

Of all the auctions I look at your photos are among the few where the tricky problem of photographing a dark color gun against a white background is handled very well. The background should washout, with the gun being properly exposed so that it is practically floating in white.

Most gun photographers on GB the gun comes out as a black blob, or at least underexposed so a lot of detail is too dark to make out.

On the auction you link, you can even pick out where some yahoo carved his initial into that synthetic stock. A great big "W".

Locust Fork

Speaking of carvings.....

My very favorite was this really nice Big Bore Winchester that a regular customer of mine brought to me. (Not his real name)

"Hey there Daniel Rogers"

Daniel...."hey there, I need you to list this one for me."

"Ok...I see it has your initials on the gun"

Daniel...."oh, I bought it like that."

"Really....what's your middle initial again?" (Staring at the DWR carved into the gun.)

Daniel..."my middle name is Wayne, why?"

"No reason....just wondered."

GuvamintCheese

Just remember how crappy your photos were when you started.

llama

Get a DSLR, build a "document camera stand" - mount point for camera, controlled motion along 3 axis via rods with locking clamps. Set up lighting, etc. and have it all fixed. Get a local photog or if you have a community college or university that teaches photo get an instructor to come over and get your camera set and show you how to do the basic modifications. Set up right, it could be a matter of put mount in position one with settings 1 on camera take pics and rotate gun. Move camera mount to position 2 and settings 2, take more and keep moving the gun.

Locust Fork

quote:Originally posted by cartod
Just remember how crappy your photos were when you started.


I'll never live down the rusty nails on the barn wall!

Locust Fork

quote:Originally posted by llama
Get a DSLR, build a "document camera stand" - mount point for camera, controlled motion along 3 axis via rods with locking clamps. Set up lighting, etc. and have it all fixed. Get a local photog or if you have a community college or university that teaches photo get an instructor to come over and get your camera set and show you how to do the basic modifications. Set up right, it could be a matter of put mount in position one with settings 1 on camera take pics and rotate gun. Move camera mount to position 2 and settings 2, take more and keep moving the gun.



I have a camera stand. It helps me a lot. You could not take pictures like you are explaining. You have to keep the gun in one place....if you move it then you are dealing with fingerprints, glare, and all kinds of frustration just trying to get the silly thing propped up every time you move it. I get my camera down close to the gun and move along without moving the gun as much as possible.

ChrisInTempe

Kasey the barn wall worked well too. Good level of contrast to the guns, rustic feel, good advertising value.

The simpler backgrounds you now use are better but I wouldn't say the barn wood was bad. Far from it.

For professional production photography there are all sorts of nifty widgets, gadgets and whatnots. Copystands yes, also rail systems the camera rides along. That's cool and helpful but more money to spend and another technique to learn. Also not necessary for the work you are doing, based on your results so far.