"Now how the hell do you take pics like that!DAMN! I need to send you my Sniper sixteen for you to take pics of it for me!"

Not to debunk what Mark does, as I dont consider myself even slightly good with photography itself, Ill give you a few pointers from the composition part. This is not part of the photography itself, though. That youll have to learn from looking at other pictures... Things like the environment, depth of field, and lighting are things that you should be mindful of and can make a night/day difference in your photos. But on to making yours look less snapshotty :P Im using Adobe Photoshop here, but there are many software applcations that will do the same things tha are free... Abode even has a simple version of Potoshop called Elements which should do all of the following.

Here is your original image:



The AR15 is a black rifle, yet yours apprears to be blue in teh picture. Changing the saturation levels in photoshop can help demonstrate this:



If you look at either Mfingar's or Stick's pictures, you'll notice that all black parts are... well... black.

Note that both Mfingar and Stick use indoor setups with natural and artifical light soft like. Usually, there is no color to this making the black rifle black. Note that because the rifle is in a colorful envrionment, it cannot be absolutely colorless, but we can reduce the color to help emphasize the black. So lets do that to your rifle in Photoshop:



If you look at the rifle itself, you'll notice that it is more shades of grey than anything else. To help define it, you'll need some contrast:



Allready, you have a cripser, more colorful picture yet your AR is still relatively black. I may have added too mcuh contrast, but whatever :P.

Then just play with it until you're happy...



Mid you, this is not brute photography, but its one way to achieve better looking images. The environment is everything too, try getting a picture with your camera on portrait mode... That will blur the background making the rifle the center of the picture.

Just my $.02

Edit :: I played with one of your other images just to kinda show you what you can change.

Here is your orignial:



And these are 5 minutes of playing with contrast, saturation, blurring, and whatnot:





Cheers. I hope that helps somewhat... Its just a suerficial fix, but its quick.

WOW! Awsome,I'll have to play around with that. Now how do Mark and Stick get an all white background?

Quoted: WOW! Awsome,I'll have to play around with that. Now how do Mark and Stick get an all white background?

i think they use poster board

There are three main ways to do it... I dont know specifically what Mark and Stik do though...

The first way is a light box:



The benefit of the box is that shadows are few, both on the ground and the object. I thought Stck used this tecnique, but he says he does not. There are many variations of the lighbox like posterboard with some lights or even just natural lighting like the second way:



The objects are literally placed on the white background and are then illuminated by whatever means. The white object can vary in size and shape depending on what you need. You can do 3 sides of a box if you want white on all 3. In other cases, the white may be replaced with other surfaces like Mark's commonly seen cloth backdrops, cloting/equipment, and even vegatation. It is basically an artifical environment based on plausable environments in addition to just pure colors.

The third means is often very rough. This is done through brute force in photoshop with results contingent on time spent with the image. As seen here with your picture:



In direct comparison with the other methids, this one seems to be the most tedious and ineffective... It is, however, the most widely used. Im sure youve heard of a blue screen. The purpose of the screen is to provide a single color for the artist to remove making the process much easier and even automated. The key is to make sure the background is a color that is not commonly found in the objects being photographed/filmed:



If you would like to try something... May I reccoment you start my making some wooden rig that supports the green screen. With that you could swap out for white cloth, camo, you could have folds and whatnot. It just seems the most versatile and small enough to put on a table/floor.

Cheers.

Hope everyone's having a very Merry Christmas!!

I made the changes here.I think they look alot better.
Thanks for your help guys!

They look much better! Some have a tad bit too much contrast in my opinion (their appearance also changes per monitor), but still much nicer than they were.

If there is one thing I believe they really need, its a border. We're emphasizing black in these photos in addition to strong color but the grey background of ARFCom kinda wrecks that.



The colors and lines get cut off at the end of a picture in the one above... But a border helps curb that problem.



Depending on the colors in the image, I use either a black border or a black border with some white. In the case of this picture, the elements of contrast make be think that a border with contrast is best suited. That said, I think the following is an even better choice:



Beyond that, I think you just need some practice finding what you like and then get som fluency with what youre working with! If you come up with anything new, let me know... Id love to see where you go with this

I'm just using Adobe photoshop so I'm very limited to what I can do.

http://sportschutters.kicks-ass.net/albums/userpics/normal_Colt%20AR-15%20SP1.JPG
bigger picture here.

DMPS Lower
AFM 556 Chrome Lined Uppper
Aimpoint ML2
Surefire Scout
Surefire M73
Waiting on Tango Down Vert Grip.

http://www.dana60.com/69cj/DSC05449A.jpg
http://www.dana60.com/69cj/DSC05450.JPG

Quoted: DMPS Lower AFM 556 Chrome Lined Uppper Aimpoint ML2 Surefire Scout Surefire M73 Waiting on Tango Down Vert Grip. www.dana60.com/69cj/DSC05449.JPG www.dana60.com/69cj/DSC05450.JPG

Them's are Huge , had to take the eyes off to see them normaly,

height=8

Quoted: img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/MugenR/rack5.jpg

That is a snazzy picture.  I like the perspective.

Good range day today...

Quoted: DMPS Lower AFM 556 Chrome Lined Uppper Aimpoint ML2 Surefire Scout Surefire M73 Waiting on Tango Down Vert Grip. www.dana60.com/69cj/DSC05449A.jpg www.dana60.com/69cj/DSC05450.JPG

A first post, and he brings the pix............. Good work, OhanaFab!

Nice rifle.........welcome aboard!!


(A retread is better than blank space)

height=8

Quoted: img156.imageshack.us/img156/774/img1520gb0.jpg img176.imageshack.us/img176/2874/img1851ze6.jpg img136.imageshack.us/img136/183/img1856yu6.jpg img412.imageshack.us/img412/2566/img1855hs7.jpg ...LaRue mounts all over !!! Holy McGuyver! That is a lot of gear! I love the SBR.

Thanks......the SBR is getting a can soon, as soon as the paperwork comes back, just gotta go to the store and pick it up......AAC 1000   cant wait !!!

Quoted: sportschutters.kicks-ass.net/albums/userpics/normal_Colt%20AR-15%20SP1.JPG bigger picture here.

That's about as good as it gets right there!!!!

DoubleStar Lower
DSC Tactical 2 stage trigger
DoubleStar 16" Lightweight Tactical Upper
YHM 2pc handguards
YHM folding front sight gas block
DSC DS-4 Buttstock
DSC Ergo Suregrip
Command Arms Folding Vertical Grip
GG&G Lightweight Tactical Bipod
Larue QD Scope Mount
Weaver Classic Extreme 1.5-4.5 x 24
Duracoat is a 7:1 mix of Desert Tan and OD Green
* have ordered the A.R.M.S. #40-L rear BUIS

Magpul trigger guard folding model

Custom by Black Rifle Workshttp://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj2/gastungtsen/Pat.jpg

AR stands for ARmaLite http://photos.strasser.us/gallery2/d/47493-1/DSC00022+copy.jpg
http://photos.strasser.us/gallery2/d/47505-1/DSC00045.JPG
http://photos.strasser.us/gallery2/d/47547-1/DSC00080bw.jpg

http://www.texasoffroad.net/albums/members/album179/AR_s_002.sized.jpg
http://www.texasoffroad.net/albums/members/album179/AR_s_009.sized.jpg

Hey folks, new member here!  I have lurked for awhile and then with some nice holiday down time, I thought I'd join and post some pics of my firearms.  I am most excited about my first AR-15 purchase; a Sabre Defence Massad Ayoob Signature Series XR15A3.  Sabre is local here in Nashville, TN and has been making barrels for our service and civilian .50 cal and others for years.  Uppers and lowers are CNC'd together, vanadium barrel, gil brake, EoTech optics, etc.  check out their catalog here:
http://www.sabredefence.com/sabre_web_catalog21.pdf

Of course, I had to include a shot that includes my first ever semi-auto, a Ruger mini 14 and my favorite hunting rifle, a Tikka T3 in .300 WSM with Swarovski optics.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc57/dugkim/DSC01616.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc57/dugkim/DSC01617.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc57/dugkim/DSC01619.jpg

ps...where on this forum do you create a signature and avatar?  Can't find the typical 'user CP" button anywhere...

you have to get a membership in order to use an avatar and signature

more info here: www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=2

DugKim.  Your safety appears to be on FA or Burst.  How is that?

The sabre defense is a middy, eh?  Nice rifle / carbine.  


Watch out for the Mini haters.

Quoted: DugKim.  Your safety appears to be on FA or Burst.  How is that? The sabre defense is a middy, eh?  Nice rifle / carbine.   Watch out for the Mini haters.

That goofy grip is in the way of the ambi, they had to turn it around backwards??

Quoted: DugKim.  Your safety appears to be on FA or Burst.  How is that? The sabre defense is a middy, eh?  Nice rifle / carbine.   Watch out for the Mini haters.

Good catch.  Actually, it's an ambi safety and with my change in grip to the swelled right-handed type, it was in the way, so on that side I simply rotated it 90 degrees so that it wouldn't hit my grip on the right side.  it works perfectly, and appears normal on the left side where i actuate it.  but looks fubar on the right side.  if I had the proper washer, I would simply remove from the right side altogether.  But I don't, so I haven't.

and as for the mini...it is what led me to the AR, so how wrong can it be?

Quoted: Quoted: DugKim.  Your safety appears to be on FA or Burst.  How is that? The sabre defense is a middy, eh?  Nice rifle / carbine.   Watch out for the Mini haters. That goofy grip is in the way of the ambi, they had to turn it around backwards??

you're right about the safety, but the grip isn't goofy.  best grip out there.  i have large hands and long fingers and it puts my trigger finger exactly where it should be - one digit on the trigger allowing that perfectly smooth and straight back trigger pull.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: DugKim.  Your safety appears to be on FA or Burst.  How is that? The sabre defense is a middy, eh?  Nice rifle / carbine.   Watch out for the Mini haters. That goofy grip is in the way of the ambi, they had to turn it around backwards?? you're right about the safety, but the grip isn't goofy.  best grip out there.  i have large hands and long fingers and it puts my trigger finger exactly where it should be - one digit on the trigger allowing that perfectly smooth and straight back trigger pull.

I keep hearing 1st digit.  I use the fingertip PAD.  Less movement in your whole hand while pulling the trigger.  More feel to it.  More control.  That's what I learned, but maybe I'm all wet.

I love that digital camo! How did you do it? and how long did it take?

http://IMG]i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/ar15dpms/FDEDPMS.jpg

Newest build
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/ainfantry7/DSC00011.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/ainfantry7/DSC00010.jpg

Quoted: img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/dustyc/gear02.jpg

I like your camo on your rifle, got anymore pics.
BTW, where can I get that flag holder?

height=8

Quoted: I love that digital camo! How did you do it? and how long did it take?

I cut about 5 templates out of index cards and layered the patterns over one another.  The rifle has since been painted a different scheme.  Took a couple of hours to do...mostly to let the paint dry so not to smudge it with a template.

Dam Stick, you're such a tease. I think you just post those pics of things we cannot have "yet" just to make us jealous!

Pic Thread!

height=8

Quoted: Newest build i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/ainfantry7/DSC00011.jpg i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/ainfantry7/DSC00010.jpg

Forgive me if Im wrong but isnt that a NCStar scope? How are they?

Teaser

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii257/AR_masterzach/IMGP0049.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/Wahya/SHTF07.jpg

Bushmaster XM15A3 5.56mm
Springfield Armory GI MilSpec .45acp
Himalayan Imports' 21.5" Chitlangi Khukri
Federal green tip XM855 62 gr 5.56mm on the stripper clips
(also in the two of many ammo cans)
Old school alice gear (grenade pouches cut off from the sides of the mag pouches)
M7 Bayonet by BOC

Quoted: Teaser i43.photobucket.com/albums/e383/moose568/guns2.jpg

Dude! There is something wrong with you!. Don't ask me how I know.  Its a disease.
Nice. Now that is an Arsenal.

Quoted: Teaser i43.photobucket.com/albums/e383/moose568/guns2.jpg

Yeah there is something wrong with him...but not cource of all the guns...but he is a freaking Commie   there are all AK´s...allmost.

Nice collection !!!

Hope I can get this picture thing figured ou

Quoted: Hope I can get this picture thing figured oui11.tinypic.com/6sm1toz.jpg

Wow, Ed...... I always figured you to be a bit older.