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  #201  
Old 02-27-2011, 6:10 PM
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Looks pretty good - you able to post a pic of your overall light box rig?

Turby
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  #202  
Old 03-05-2011, 6:30 PM
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I built a new light box tonight by taking a 16x16x12 box and after setting it on one side (open end pointed at me) and cutting "windows" in the two sides and top. I also cut off the bottom and top flap and kept the side flaps for lighting control. Anyway, a piece of long posterboard served as my backdrop and two desk lamps with "daylight" CFL bulbs were placed on either side of the box. End result:



Edit: Added an overhead light



Edit #2: Desaturated and went a little milder on the brightness and contrast adjustments

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Last edited by THT; 03-06-2011 at 2:03 PM..
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  #203  
Old 03-12-2011, 6:01 PM
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^^^ The third picture is the best, in my opinion, less blue tint to the image in the shadows.

Turby
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  #204  
Old 03-27-2011, 8:56 PM
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O.K. here we go. My first attempts to take pictures with a photo box:

And before anyone asks, I put the Wilson thin grips on the Colt because I have small hands, and I could not find any Colt thin grips.

Finally, THANKS TUBINATOR for all the great advice and instructions!!!!!







Last edited by gbarbo001; 04-30-2011 at 9:08 AM..
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  #205  
Old 03-27-2011, 9:11 PM
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A few more....




Last edited by gbarbo001; 03-27-2011 at 9:18 PM..
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  #206  
Old 03-28-2011, 4:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbarbo001 View Post

Can you share some info/history about this "Chow/Gray" Colt?
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  #207  
Old 03-28-2011, 4:59 PM
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The Chow/Gray gun:

This gun is a 1936 build Colt 1911. About 1973 it was accurized by Bob Chow who, amoung other things, did the cool front strap - how he did it, I don't know. The name "Chow" is stamped on the frame, barrel and barrel bushing. I acquired the gun last year. It was extremely accurate, but the finish looked like Hell: it had been rode hard and put away wet. I sent it up to Bruce Gray for just a trigger job. Bruce asked if he could "do a few things to it". I got back what you see now. I wish I had taken "before" pictures of this gun, because the transformation is truly amazing. Burce also stamped "Gray" on the frame.

Here's Bruce's explanation on SigForum of what he did: http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc...8980097832/p/1

Accordingly, this gun is somewhat unique, having been worked on by two of the best gunsmiths in the US.

Last edited by gbarbo001; 03-28-2011 at 8:57 PM..
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  #208  
Old 04-23-2011, 9:07 PM
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^^^ Nice job on your first run of light box pictures! For the first few of the Bob Chow gun, I can see where your backdrop edges made it into the picture. Maybe get a larger backdrop so that the background looks more continuous?

Turby
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  #209  
Old 04-30-2011, 9:01 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Turbinator View Post
^^^ Nice job on your first run of light box pictures! For the first few of the Bob Chow gun, I can see where your backdrop edges made it into the picture. Maybe get a larger backdrop so that the background looks more continuous?

Turby
Yep, I noticed that too, and I did get a bigger box.
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  #210  
Old 05-13-2011, 1:04 PM
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Not bad.
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  #211  
Old 05-15-2011, 11:47 AM
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Wow today I took pics of all my firearms and made a copy of all my firearms paperwork. That was a bigger project than I thought it was going to be but it all turned out pretty good.
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  #212  
Old 06-16-2011, 8:34 PM
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Another trick is to photograph on a sheet of glass and then you don't get a shadow.
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  #213  
Old 06-24-2011, 7:15 PM
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I've been meaning to buy/build a tent to take better photos of the parts I make and work on. After talking to a friend that shoots photos for a while he sent me a few links with photos of some home built tents so I took a box and paper from work, picked up a sheet from WalMart and used a clamp light I've had sitting in the garage. I have a total of $11 into this thing including the clamp light.

I'm taking the photos with my phone (Nexus S).

The box is around 24"x24"x20".


I first cut out the top and the front, leaving around 2"-3" around the edges.


Then cut the paper to fit.


Once the paper was cut I cut windows in the sides. Also leaving 2"-3" around the edges.


After I cut out the box I wrapped it with a white sheet. The front of the sheet can drop down to cover the front door.


Then cut a slit thru both the sheet and the box to attach the clamp light.

Last edited by couch; 06-24-2011 at 7:17 PM..
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  #214  
Old 06-24-2011, 7:17 PM
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Testing it out.


Close up shot of one of our Compression Caps. I need to try it out with lights on the sides to show the thread detail more.


Relax.


G27 for good measure.
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  #215  
Old 06-24-2011, 8:10 PM
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Hi Couch, excellent work - yes, lights on the side will really help. Nice ingenuity with the cardboard box, you've reduced the cost of the project even more!! Impressive. Looking forward to more of your sample photos!

Turby
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  #216  
Old 06-24-2011, 9:05 PM
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Great thread. Thanks for the tip Couch. Now even an amateur like me can take decent photos!
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  #217  
Old 06-24-2011, 10:20 PM
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Turby,

Here are a couple more. I just started milling this beauty this evening.



After a bit of editing on my phone. Adjusted exposure, saturation and deleted the parts of the tent that showed on the sides...


I am by no means a photographer so I don't know if I'm properly editing the photos, over exposing or making it look worse in any way. I'm not using Photoshop for these, I have it but taking the photo with my phone, quickly editing and posting it is very convenient. Product shots for my online store I can take a bit more time on but with all the quick shots I'd rather just get them done quick. Before taking some with additional light sources on the sides, how does that second shot look? Anything I should do different?
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  #218  
Old 06-25-2011, 11:20 PM
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These were some quick photos I snapped a while back. Tripod and light tent (without any lights, just the sun). No PP at all, just resized. The knife logo inlay is 100%. Not a huge fan of live view, but at 10x it does make for some accurate focus.



Last edited by ilkhan; 06-25-2011 at 11:24 PM..
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  #219  
Old 06-27-2011, 8:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by couch View Post
I am by no means a photographer so I don't know if I'm properly editing the photos, over exposing or making it look worse in any way. I'm not using Photoshop for these, I have it but taking the photo with my phone, quickly editing and posting it is very convenient. Product shots for my online store I can take a bit more time on but with all the quick shots I'd rather just get them done quick. Before taking some with additional light sources on the sides, how does that second shot look? Anything I should do different?
I'm no pro either, but I'd say it looks pretty good so far. The only thing I might add is a 2nd light source to eliminate some of the front shadowing you're getting, but everything else looks great!

Turby
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  #220  
Old 06-29-2011, 12:17 AM
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cool. i wish my girlfriend fit inside that little studio so i could take pics of her LOL. hmmmm i might just do that teehehe
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  #221  
Old 06-29-2011, 8:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by InGrAM View Post
cool. i wish my girlfriend fit inside that little studio so i could take pics of her LOL. hmmmm i might just do that teehehe
I made a much larger light box, you COULD fit someone posing inside it.. it's not assembled right now, but I guess I could try putting it together again!

Turby
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  #222  
Old 09-23-2011, 6:48 PM
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Nice photos. I use a KinoFlo Diva light, plus i have a 1K Arri w/ Chimera. Makes wonderful soft light
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  #223  
Old 10-20-2011, 6:33 PM
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Turby ................ how would you critique this photo? Usually take the majority of my photos in the shade under cover of my rear deck on a bright sunny day. I used the macro setting (no flash) on my Nikon COOLPIX S9100 and it seems to work fine for firearm and related photos. I would have ordinarily used my Nikon D700 w/ Nikkor AF-S Micro 60mm f/2.8 lens but it was taken during a burglary approx 10 mo. ago and will eventually be replaced.

Anyway, have fun boys and girls!

Shadow SD

Last edited by Shadow SD; 07-17-2015 at 6:47 PM..
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  #224  
Old 10-20-2011, 11:37 PM
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Here's my shot

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  #225  
Old 11-07-2011, 3:32 PM
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Taken this morning in the living room with available light; a table lamp and the window just out of frame. No post-processing other than a resize.

I'm pretty pleased with the results. Handgun is a Colt Model M in .380, manufactured in 1923. Finish and grips are original. She's the crown jewel of my collection.
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  #226  
Old 11-22-2011, 10:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shadow SD View Post
Turby ................ how would you critique this photo? Usually take the majority of my photos in the shade under cover of my rear deck on a bright sunny day. I used the macro setting (no flash) on my Nikon COOLPIX S9100 and it seems to work fine for firearm and related photos. I would have ordinarily used my Nikon D700 w/ Nikkor AF-S Micro 60mm f/2.8 lens but it was taken during a burglary approx 10 mo. ago and will eventually be replaced.
Wow, sorry to hear about the burglary - that sucks big time!! Were any guns taken too?

As for the picture - I think it looks great! Goes to show that you don't have to use studio lighting to get great shots.

Turby
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  #227  
Old 11-22-2011, 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by The Law View Post
Here's my shot
Looks great and very creative - I like it!

Turby
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  #228  
Old 11-26-2011, 7:04 AM
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What can I say, Im more of a fan of natural lighting / wood and texture backdrops.











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  #229  
Old 12-31-2011, 2:11 AM
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you guys just inspired me
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  #230  
Old 01-10-2012, 3:24 AM
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spyware and virus from CALGUNS???? what is going on?
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  #231  
Old 01-11-2012, 9:27 AM
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Thanks Turbinator! This post has me reading my Canon T1i manual in detail. I think I can make my adjustments similar to replicate yours for the Nikon. The light box will be a fun weekend project with my little ones for help.

My Canon manual doesn't do a good job describing what the effect of say changing the shutter speed up or down does or the aperture for example. Do you have a cheap reference or book that I might purchase that would really benefit a novice?
Thanks
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  #232  
Old 01-18-2012, 10:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 03fatboy View Post
My Canon manual doesn't do a good job describing what the effect of say changing the shutter speed up or down does or the aperture for example. Do you have a cheap reference or book that I might purchase that would really benefit a novice?
Thanks
With the amount of photography material out there for FREE on the 'net, I wouldn't go buying ANYTHING without first turning to Google.

Start with some simple reading to understand how shutter speed and aperture work with cameras in general:

http://www.geofflawrence.com/shutter...apertures.html

http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/...ndaperture.php

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tut...a-exposure.htm

http://photo.net/learn/basic-photo-t...tterspeed-iso/

I wouldn't bother spending any money on books..

Turby
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  #233  
Old 01-26-2012, 7:43 AM
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I shot this on my cell phone. I have a light tent I made from a cardboard box and bed sheet. I also took a bunch of photos with a small point and shoot on a tripod but I haven't uploaded them to see how they turned out.

For a cell phone in the hands of an armature I think it turned out pretty good.



Edit*
Here is the same basic shot using my point and shoot. I would say it's a lot better.


Last edited by ckprax; 01-30-2012 at 7:24 AM..
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  #234  
Old 01-28-2012, 3:00 PM
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That's really big thread. Thanks a lot. Great informative.
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  #235  
Old 01-28-2012, 8:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ckprax View Post
Edit*
Here is the same basic shot using my point and shoot. I would say it's a lot better.
The 2nd shot of your SP101 is great. Nice job!

Turby
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  #236  
Old 02-21-2012, 5:04 PM
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A cooler makes an alright light box. I just used the SB600 and flashed off to the side.



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  #237  
Old 02-25-2012, 12:26 PM
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Turbinator's pics show what lighting can do to help produce a very good picture. Very nice job!
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  #238  
Old 02-06-2013, 1:21 AM
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Really good..Keep going
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  #239  
Old 02-07-2013, 9:02 AM
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Cool!
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  #240  
Old 02-26-2013, 10:09 PM
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It's taken me a while to get through this entire thread, but I'm so glad that I took the time. I'd like to say thank you to everyone who posted their tips and techniques.

This is great information not only for taking "for sale" pix, but I'm planning on taking a few keepsake photos based on y'all's tips.
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