Taking good gun photos
- Thread starter Gunscribe
- Start date
I haven't posted any guns pics, hell I havent posted anythign.. But am a hobbyist photographer.. A few tips off the cuff
I would use indirect lighting as much as possible, supplemented with bouncing your flash off a wall or ceiling. Using a tripod is a must, then go into "M" mode - set your ISO to 400, aperture to F8 or F11, and shutter to 1/45. Go to macro mode if your camera supports it, and if you are zoomed in alot with your lens, pay particular attention to your focus point as your depth of field may be limiteed. Use the self timer feature of your camera so you don't introduce shake when you pull the trigger.. I mean push the button.
;-)
I would use indirect lighting as much as possible, supplemented with bouncing your flash off a wall or ceiling. Using a tripod is a must, then go into "M" mode - set your ISO to 400, aperture to F8 or F11, and shutter to 1/45. Go to macro mode if your camera supports it, and if you are zoomed in alot with your lens, pay particular attention to your focus point as your depth of field may be limiteed. Use the self timer feature of your camera so you don't introduce shake when you pull the trigger.. I mean push the button.
;-)
I turn my flash off and use three-point lighting with a few desk lamps. Background selection is also important: guns with dark-colored finishes like bluing are best photographed on a light colored background while guns with a lighter-colored finish like nickel or stainless should be pictured against a dark colored background. Also, take multipe shots from slightly different agles so that you can choose the best one.
This
was taken immediately before this
flash was not used in either, I just bumped the leg of my tripod before taking #2.
This
was taken immediately before this
flash was not used in either, I just bumped the leg of my tripod before taking #2.
Always use a tripod and a cable release. You might think you're holding still, but as long as you're alive, you'll be moving.
A light box is good for a lot of pics. Mine is made from an opaque plastic storage box lined with thin white wrapping paper and lit with 4 bullet lamps.
You can get some really good pics outdoors on an overcast day. Use a couple of those reflectors people put in their windshields to keep the car cool. They bounce nice, soft light into the shaded areas.
A light box is good for a lot of pics. Mine is made from an opaque plastic storage box lined with thin white wrapping paper and lit with 4 bullet lamps.
You can get some really good pics outdoors on an overcast day. Use a couple of those reflectors people put in their windshields to keep the car cool. They bounce nice, soft light into the shaded areas.
Light Box?
Anyone construct a light box for gun photos?
I built this one out of 1/2" PVC and use drop down ceiling light diffusers. I'm using a pair of spun aluminum work lights with 65,000Kelvin florescent bulbs. White balance the Instant Camera and pictures look like this:
Anyone construct a light box for gun photos?
I built this one out of 1/2" PVC and use drop down ceiling light diffusers. I'm using a pair of spun aluminum work lights with 65,000Kelvin florescent bulbs. White balance the Instant Camera and pictures look like this:
Last edited:
vettester2
Inactive
Great photography !! Wow OH Wow
Nice, photos! I like the idea of using a piece of PVC pipe to hold up the guns. I was looking for some clear acrylic dowls to do that with, but the white PVC seems to work just as good.
Currently I am using a folding table a box covered with the back (white) side of a company banner. With two strobes (flashes) one on each side, the camera is on a tripod in front angled down, with pocket wizard to fire the strobes. Luckily my wife does photography (but not product shots), so we have some equipment. I plan on playing around with the setup and maybe building a light box in the future.
Currently I am using a folding table a box covered with the back (white) side of a company banner. With two strobes (flashes) one on each side, the camera is on a tripod in front angled down, with pocket wizard to fire the strobes. Luckily my wife does photography (but not product shots), so we have some equipment. I plan on playing around with the setup and maybe building a light box in the future.
Additional points...
In addition to the good tips above, I would add:
1. Pose the gun - some angles are more pleasing than others.
2. Fill up the frame with the gun so it looks as large as possible.
3. Use photo software to improve the picture after it is on your computer.
4. Colored backgrounds seem more interesting than white.
5. Do comparison shots of 2 or more guns together.
In addition to the good tips above, I would add:
1. Pose the gun - some angles are more pleasing than others.
2. Fill up the frame with the gun so it looks as large as possible.
3. Use photo software to improve the picture after it is on your computer.
4. Colored backgrounds seem more interesting than white.
5. Do comparison shots of 2 or more guns together.