Advice on taking pictures of difficult object!

[spamel]

Well, you have a macro setting and a timed shutter release so I'd say get a cheapo tripod (you can pick them up for a few quid, you don't need anything special for taking a few pictures indoors) bang the camera on macro setting and get it where you want, stick the timer on and let it off. The timer will eliminate any shake as you press the shutter release.

Light boxes are favourites, a simple box can be made with the box your paper comes in. Just line it with paper and you are away. You can out lamps over the top if needs be, you would need to diffuse the light though. Keep trying and you will find the best way to shoot your knives, or send one to me and I'll have a go! It may be a crap effort but a chance to see that knife in the flesh would be well worth it!

 

[Cyclingrelf]

For what it's worth, a bean bag can help with positioning the camera when you don't have a tripod.
Well done with your shots - they're definitely improving a lot as you go along!

 

[myotis]

The camera is just a small point and shoot job which I've had for 5 or 6 years if not longer! This one I quite possibly need to upgrade and practice some more.

I agree with Spamel, for small pics used on the web or brochure, this is camera looks OK, Now that you have put some time in learning how it works, getting a tripod and continuing to work on the lighting would be more productive.

A tripod will make a big difference. Not least that it keeps the camera in the same position. This means that as you make subtle adjustments to the lighting/knife position the angle and position of the camera stays constant, making it easier to make predictable adjustments.

One advantage of a newer camera would be a larger viewing screen, which would probably make life a bit easier.

Graham

 

[jojo]

Waiting for pay day now!!!

 

[maddave]

Had a wee play in Adobe Lightroom

 

[jojo]

Interesting change! Am I right in thinking you added the highlights? Looks sharper too. Better than the original.

Look at this pic, another knife with bone handle.

with a link to a large version

You can see all the details, the "grain" of the bone, even the finger print on the blade!, it's sharp , bright... that's what I'd like to aim for. Nice knife too!

But how do you think this picture was achieved?

 

[myotis]

Not to be outdone by Maddave

This is about 5 seconds work in Bibble

I just tweaked the white balance, used the "auto" function and turned the contrast up a bit. I hope it shows how close you are to getting something that looks really good.

Graham

 

[maddave]

Interesting change! Am I right in thinking you added the highlights? Looks sharper too. Better than the original.

Look at this pic, another knife with bone handle.

with a link to a large version

You can see all the details, the "grain" of the bone, even the finger print on the blade!, it's sharp , bright... that's what I'd like to aim for. Nice knife too!

But how do you think this picture was achieved?

Yup..... Now if you look closely the light is coming from top right, indicated by the shadow of the knife and the reflections on the metal. daylight will be best but to softed it make a small frame from wood, a coathanger or a bit of hosepipe and sellotape and cover it in white tissue/tracing paper, this will soften and diffuse the light bringing out the detail in the subject, a cheap softbox if you like. The good thing with digital is you can try and try again till ya nail it !!!

 

[teflon]

This is a really interesting exercise for me. I haven't considered before what a good picture is or what makes a good picture that will help sell something!...

Grasshopper - you've passed the first obstacle on the path to true enlightenment. Sorry - couldn't resist it. 8]
But there is truth in it, as so far, it's all been about lighting, position, contrast, tones, textures and reflections.

 

[Muncus]

I have been trying to take some pics of a knife with bone handle I just fnished. I can't get better than a rather washed out blob of white! I have a small digital camera but can't afford better at the moment, so what could I do to improve the quality of the pics without having to spend a fortune?



I tried inside, and outside, in the shade of a tree but it's no better. (unless it's my monitor?) Is the background colour wrong?

thanks in advance

Without reading the other posts - so apologies if I am repeating what has already been said. It seem that your camera is exposing for the dark brown leather, thus the bone handle is over exposed. If you set up the shot again and expose for the bone you should get a better result, and then alter the brightness/contrast/colour for the leather bag.

To expose for the bone make sure the meter (usually the little square in the centre of the viewfinder) is pointing at the handle, press the shutter button halfway, now keeping the shutter button pressed halfway recompose your shot.

I hope that makes sense and your quick start guide will tell you how to alter metering modes - you want to set it to centre.

James

 

[teflon]

Just wondering how things got on with this knife project, as I had an idea about lighting, that's all.

 

[jojo]

I haven't done much more on it at the moment, been busy with other things...but I'll go back to it in a while

 

[Logit]

shots are getting better! lovely.

You can do alot to photos with software, but thats a whole new game!

I love lightroom too! and cs4!