Home Forums Gear Photography My Model 60

I've been into photography for several years but just started taking pictures of firearms recently. Hope you like this one:




Ron

very nice photo, and welcome!
M

Great photo but ya lost a bullit

Hi Jimmy,
Remember? The model 60 is a five shooter.

MissTreated, thanks for the welcome.

Nice job on lighting a difficult subject!

Ron, I was just givin ya a hard time, I am aware of the 5 shot. All I can say is awesome work. I was out today getting some shots of a few pistols and oh how I wish they would look as good as yours.
I am using a new XTi and haven't yet got everything dialed in. My outside shots look pretty good but still having alot of trouble inside with lighting.

Jimmy, ya got me!
Those sights look like they should be on an artillery piece! Awesome!

If you don't mind a couple of suggestions: use a background that's appropriate to the subject. In the photo above I used a piece of scrap leather. Leather and guns go together.
Use a couple of gun related small props, in this case, hearing protectors and ammo. Helps fill in the dead space. Don't over do it though.
Your lighting is pretty good. If you use some white foam core to bounce the light onto your subject it'll soften the light and decrease the harsh contrast. You cropped your photos nicely which focuses attention on the gun. Well done!
With a litle bit of practice you'll have it down pat.

Thanks Ron. Yup those sights are a real kick, I have several of the HP's and have been looking for one like this for some time and just got it here at 24 Hour.

I do have a couple of tanned hides out in the shop, so I will give that a try. Now as far as props, I don't have any nice shinny bullitts like you do and my ear protection is those little foam jobs, so I can see I am going to have to do some shoppin!!!

Thanks again and please post some more pictures so dummys like me can learn.

OK, here's another taken during the same photo session. No props this time. The gun kinda speaks for itself, even though it's a replica, built from a kit.

Nope, bad picture, I can see the light, camera and tripod reflected on the gun. Just kidding, awesome..............
I do like that leather hide and the color.
Now, how do you keep from getting reflection on a stainless gun?
Would bouncing the light off the white foam background solve that problem.
Thanks for the help and suggestions.

Soft, diffused, bounced lighting is the way to go.

Had somebody tell me once to try to simulate the sun, the most natural light out there. It comes from everywhere. Throw in a nice overcast, and it REALLY comes from everywhere. Even with most shadows outdoors, the aren't hard edged and fill in a good bit on their own.

A strobe on the other hand is small, focused, and directional. It throws hard edged, deep shadows. You've got to get light back into those shadows, at least somewhat.

Bouncing (ceilings, walls, reflectors, cards, etc), shooting through umbrellas or other diffusers, or perhaps best of all with smaller subjects like this, shoting in/through a light tent.

It really is a challenge sometimes to tone down hot spots and eliminate reflections....

Keep shooting and watch what works and what doesn't!

Bingo! Coldbore has it right!
Yep, the recoil shield on the Colt, being dome shaped makes it very tough to eliminate reflections. Sharp eye!

Hey cron are you using a tent?

Hey Don,
Yes, I had a homemade one for a while. A year or so ago I bought one from B&H photo. It collapses into a flat package that's easier to carry around. Best way in the world to get nice even lighting during the day. I may have to build a larger one to photograph rifles & shotguns. My wife doesn't like it when I hang white sheets over the curtain rods.
See my comments in the "Gun Writer" post below.