Photographing weapons - the details

David · 7th August 2009, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by migueldiaz

Billy, as far as I know the pics go side by side or on top of each other depending on the size of your web browser 'window' at the moment.
Pls. see the result of a little experiment I did:

Thanks Miguel, i guess i knew this but didn't know how to put it. We have encountered this difference before when some has commented on the numerical order of photos and we all have different results based on our browser window. That can get confusing when photos are in different positions on different peoples screens. Thanks for illustrating it so well.

Yes, i have all kinds of professional lighting gear, but i still prefer to make these photos with natural light when possible, though sometimes the weather just won't permit it.
Unless there is some objection from the rest of the Mods i think we should make this thread a "sticky" and hopeful keep adding new info to it. Ken Lunde has provided some fine info here, but i have a feeling that this is a bit over reaching for many of our forum members who don't have the professional level of skill or equipment that produced these images. Still, it is nice to have it laid out for those who do have access to such stuff and want to give it a try.

migueldiaz · 7th August 2009, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

... Ken Lunde has provided some fine info here, but i have a feeling that this is a bit over reaching for many of our forum members who don't have the professional level of skill or equipment that produced these images.

David, I totally agree with what you said

That's why I like very much your pointers above -- makes it very easy for all of us amateur photographers to create great pics!

On a related matter, earlier I was looking for an inexpensive point-and-shoot camera. My aim was to find a low-learning-curve-but-high-gratification kind of "idiot box"

Fortunately in Macworld's July 2009 issue, they precisely reviewed $100 cameras (excerpts of article are below). And Canon's A470 came out on top (it got 4 out of the max. 5 points). So I got myself one very recently.

In that camera's full review, the reviewer added that even though he uses expensive digital single lens reflex cameras, he plans on buying that Canon model because its macro shots are just too good. And I guess that's one of the things (macro shots) we are exactly looking for, in photographing our blades.

I'll post shortly sample pics taken with that camera ...

migueldiaz · 7th August 2009, 02:15 PM

Below are sample pics taken from that "el cheapo" Canon camera.

The sky was overcast that day. Had I known about the white boards tricks, etc. earlier, I'm sure the pics would have been better

Jens Nordlunde · 7th August 2009, 02:41 PM

David, I have a problem when I try to photograph a polished silver hilt on one of my tulwars, as it mirrors everything near by, myself included. Do you have any suggestions?

A photographer at the Danish National Museum once told me, that if he had to photograph a weapon with a where the blade had a lot of reflections, he sprayed the blade with silicone wax. I lessened the reflections and it was easy to remove.

Nice pictures Miguel

.

Rick · 7th August 2009, 02:52 PM

I like the Fuji cameras .
Fuji F650
Macro of a small pinky ring .

David · 7th August 2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I like the Fuji cameras .
Fuji F650
Macro of a small pinky ring .

Nice Rick. Do we all have to kiss the ring now?

If i remember Fujis use a very good sensor, and in the world of digital that's really the heart of the matter.

Rick · 7th August 2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Nice Rick. Do we all have to kiss the ring now?

If i remember Fujis use a very good sensor, and in the world of digital that's really the heart of the matter.

No .... but maybe for you something else ...

Yes, the sensor is a good one .
The shot was hand held .
As for close up detail you can stand back a bit and let the file size do the work as in this case .

David · 7th August 2009, 02:57 PM

Yes Miguel, good pictures for a $100 camera and indeed the macro function seems to work quite well.

I don't think it is a problem with your images because the weave of you matt is pretty tight, but it reminded me to suggest that when choosing a background, try to find one that is solid in color with a fairly nuetral texture so that it doesn't distract from the object you are photographing.
Jens, shiny, reflective surfaces are a bitch, even for professional shooters. I am unaware of this spray silcone wax you speak of, but it sounds like it might be difficult to remove latter. One thing you can try is to get a large white card and cut a hole in it that is just big enough for your lens. You will still get a little bit of reflection of the lens, but at least you won't be making self portraits.

You can also try approach the subject from different angles to try to minimize the reflection.

7th August 2009, 02:15 PM	#3
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Below are sample pics taken from that "el cheapo" Canon camera. The sky was overcast that day. Had I known about the white boards tricks, etc. earlier, I'm sure the pics would have been better Attached Images Last edited by migueldiaz; 7th August 2009 at 02:56 PM.

7th August 2009, 02:41 PM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	David, I have a problem when I try to photograph a polished silver hilt on one of my tulwars, as it mirrors everything near by, myself included. Do you have any suggestions? A photographer at the Danish National Museum once told me, that if he had to photograph a weapon with a where the blade had a lot of reflections, he sprayed the blade with silicone wax. I lessened the reflections and it was easy to remove. Nice pictures Miguel.

7th August 2009, 02:52 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Left Out Fuji I like the Fuji cameras . Fuji F650 Macro of a small pinky ring . Attached Images

7th August 2009, 02:57 PM	#8
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,219	Yes Miguel, good pictures for a $100 camera and indeed the macro function seems to work quite well. I don't think it is a problem with your images because the weave of you matt is pretty tight, but it reminded me to suggest that when choosing a background, try to find one that is solid in color with a fairly nuetral texture so that it doesn't distract from the object you are photographing. Jens, shiny, reflective surfaces are a bitch, even for professional shooters. I am unaware of this spray silcone wax you speak of, but it sounds like it might be difficult to remove latter. One thing you can try is to get a large white card and cut a hole in it that is just big enough for your lens. You will still get a little bit of reflection of the lens, but at least you won't be making self portraits. You can also try approach the subject from different angles to try to minimize the reflection.