How to take decent gun photos in your bathtub . . . - Page 6

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How to take decent gun photos in your bathtub . . . (Page 6 of 6)

topgunpilot20 Not a Naval Aviator Joined Aug 2003 Posts 7558 EE 100% (70) TX, USA	Posted: 5/21/2011 1:29:05 AM EDT [#1]
	"It seems that even Allah's promise of paradise loses a bit of it's luster when there's a dude reigning death on your buddies from 600 meters out." - John_Wayne777 on Battle for Al Najaf 04/04/04

hrt4me Member Joined Jan 2001 Posts 11197 EE 100% (136) TX, USA	Posted: 5/21/2011 7:19:41 AM EDT [#2] Originally Posted By topgunpilot20: specs on your rifle?

topgunpilot20 Not a Naval Aviator Joined Aug 2003 Posts 7559 EE 100% (70) TX, USA	Posted: 5/21/2011 8:27:22 AM EDT [#3] Originally Posted By hrt4me: Originally Posted By topgunpilot20: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/topgunpilot20/Guns/ARs/OBR_01_web.jpg specs on your rifle? 18" Larue OBR 7.62 with Magpul CTR, Surefire brake, and US Optics SN3 1.8-10x.
	"It seems that even Allah's promise of paradise loses a bit of it's luster when there's a dude reigning death on your buddies from 600 meters out." - John_Wayne777 on Battle for Al Najaf 04/04/04

st33ve0

The Hatchet Man

Joined Jun 2008
Posts 510
EE 0% (0)

TN, USA

Posted: 6/17/2011 9:05:29 PM EDT

[Last Edit: st33ve0] [#4]

Been practicing a good bit since I first posted in this thread and now I'd like to drop some advice that has helped me a lot. If you want a black background the best thing to do is get separation from your background and apply a lot of light to the subject. I was able to take this photo around 2300 the other night by hanging it up and taking a picture of it while lying on the ground. I used an off camera flash, but you can do the same with some bright constant lights and a bit longer exposure. The closer your light is to your subject and the further away the background is from your subject the darker it will get. This all relates to the inverse square law and all kinds of craziness that doesn't matter as long as you understand how distance affects light.

RMJ Tactical Talon X by st33ve0, on Flickr

If you're fortunate enough to have manual controls on your camera you can get some pretty great results by lighting from above through a diffuser. This photo would have been better if I had another flash to hit the shadows in the front a bit, but I'm working on getting more strobes. You can do the same very easily with a few constant lights as long as they're all the same color and have the right kind of light modifiers.

RMJ Talon X after demo carnage by st33ve0, on Flickr

Strobes are nice because they're easily portable and provide a lot of light. One thing to keep in mind if you're using constant lights with a long exposure is to make sure you use a tripod and shoot your photos on a steady platform. You can actually lose sharpness by taking photos with a long exposure on a wood floor and walking around during the exposure. This is compounded the longer your focal length is. Be sure to close down your aperture enough to get a good enough Depth of Field [DOF] to get everything in focus. You can figure that out for your lens/camera by checking out http://dofmaster.com/dofjs.html.

I hope these tips help some of you, for the folks that don't have manual controls on their camera I can only recommend that you take your subject outside, put it in the shade, and take the shot around the afternoon or evening as mid-day light is awful in comparison.

One last bit of advice: if you have or are thinking of getting some strobes, go check out strobist.com and read the Lighting 101, On Assignment, and Lighting 102 sections...they've really helped me a lot!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/st33ve0/

Nicholastheczar Joined Jan 2002 Posts 1265 EE 100% (18) TX, USA	Posted: 6/17/2011 9:26:21 PM EDT [#5] Very cool pics. I really like the black look! Pretty bad ass looking! Nick

Sockrotter Crabby Auld Geezer Joined Nov 2005 Posts 754 EE 100% (2) AZ, USA	Posted: 11/11/2011 1:40:23 AM EDT [#6] Sure wish I had a white tub. Sure don't miss the harsh shadows though. Canon 40D, 24-105 L IS, 430exII pointed at the ceiling, more or less. Really just a bump.
	Freedom is never on the ballot. I don't make plans for your life; I leave that for the socialists. Public schools don’t fail because they are underfunded, they fail because they are public.

BikerTrashXx4 Hooligan Joined Apr 2008 Posts 1804 EE 0% (0) WI, USA	Posted: 11/11/2011 1:59:20 AM EDT [#7] A lightbox isn't that hard to make, just some pvc, white sheets, and lights. I use 3 150watt 6500k cfl bulbs. This pic has no Photoshop editing.
	Whoever appeals to the law against his fellow man is either a fool or a coward. Whoever cannot take care of themself without that law is both. Vicariously, I live while the whole world dies.

wingnutx Super Karate Monkey Death Car Joined Dec 2005 Posts 29433 EE 100% (3) UZB	Posted: 12/21/2011 7:26:03 PM EDT [#8] GREAT thread. Thanks OP and everyone.
	"he's probably more than happy to kill Americans. (from what I've seen of his posts.)" - Orbital-Burn

hardhit77 Joined Feb 2009 Posts 1100 EE 100% (2) GA, USA	Posted: 12/21/2011 9:42:03 PM EDT [Last Edit: hardhit77] [#9] Originally Posted By wingnutx: GREAT thread. Thanks OP and everyone. ok i read the thread and found it informative, however; i have this picture that i have not had the chance to use yet. Thank you SON OF A...... there goes 1100

skywarp989

former gun shop counter dude

Joined Jul 2004
Posts 3415
EE 100% (16)

MI, USA

Posted: 12/21/2011 10:43:28 PM EDT

[#10]

Originally Posted By hardhit77:

Originally Posted By wingnutx:
GREAT thread. Thanks OP and everyone.

ok i read the thread and found it informative, however; i have this picture that i have not had the chance to use yet.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t61/andrewfreemanemail/ThreadResurrection.jpg

Thank you

SON OF A...... there goes 1100

Wow, I haven't seen a Magic: The Gathering card since 6th grade.

Great thread. A lot can be done with a basic point and shoot, a tripod, and a lot of light. But a camera with lots of manual control makes it a lot easier....

tc556guy

Member

Joined Dec 2004
Posts 38162
EE 100% (4)

NY, USA

Posted: 12/22/2011 3:35:24 AM EDT

[#11]

Originally Posted By hardhit77:

Originally Posted By wingnutx:
GREAT thread. Thanks OP and everyone.

ok i read the thread and found it informative, however; i have this picture that i have not had the chance to use yet.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t61/andrewfreemanemail/ThreadResurrection.jpg

Thank you

SON OF A...... there goes 1100

Nothing wrong with resurrecting an existing thread rather than starting a duplicate new one, which is what you see more often....

*post contains personal opinion only and should not be considered information released in an official capacity*

BlackRifle76 Black Rifle Aficiando Joined Sep 2004 Posts 5999 EE 100% (25) USA	Posted: 12/22/2011 4:19:16 AM EDT [#12] Nice post.
	A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.

Afterwork_Ninja I'm doing science and I'm still alive! Joined Oct 2007 Posts 7284 EE 100% (8) TX, USA	Posted: 1/12/2012 10:19:50 AM EDT [#13] Bump so I can find it later. Why isn't this tacked?
	"If someone is so fearful that they are going to start using their weapons to protect their rights, it makes me very nervous that these people have weapons at all." - U.S. Rep Henry Waxman (D-CA)

dorobuta Member Joined Sep 2007 Posts 4295 EE 100% (2) AZ, USA	Posted: 1/12/2012 10:24:46 AM EDT [#14] Here's something I did with one of the photos above:
	If not for physics and law enforcement, I'd be unstoppable.

wildearp Get off my lawn! Joined Jun 2003 Posts 24932 EE 100% (67) AZ, USA	Posted: 1/12/2012 10:29:55 AM EDT [#15] The new arfcom gun photo standard is no longer feet in the shot, but a rubber duckie? I will get right on this................
	Simple Solutions to Complex problems. SEMPER FI, DO OR DIE! NRA Life Member SASS Life Member

jman_131 Thanks for Reading. Joined Dec 2008 Posts 1743 EE 0% (0) WV, USA	Posted: 1/15/2012 11:58:59 PM EDT [Last Edit: jman_131] [#16] Pretty neat thread. I have been playing around with it. Jeremy ETA: test #2
	If you live in West Virginia.. Visit the West Virginia Citizens Defense League Member NRA - http://www.nra.org/home.aspx Member WVCDL - http://www.wvcdl.org/ Member ARFCOM - http://www.AR15.com Member SAF - http://www.saf.org

topgunpilot20 Not a Naval Aviator Joined Aug 2003 Posts 8080 EE 100% (70) TX, USA	Posted: 1/16/2012 12:44:44 PM EDT [#17] Originally Posted By jman_131: Pretty neat thread. I have been playing around with it. http://i.imgur.com/6N2Fe.jpg Jeremy ETA: test #2 http://i.imgur.com/UGlQR.jpg Nice job. You find a way to bounce or diffuse the light for test #2?
	"It seems that even Allah's promise of paradise loses a bit of it's luster when there's a dude reigning death on your buddies from 600 meters out." - John_Wayne777 on Battle for Al Najaf 04/04/04

jman_131

Thanks for Reading.

Joined Dec 2008
Posts 1745
EE 0% (0)

WV, USA

Posted: 1/18/2012 12:15:33 PM EDT

[Last Edit: jman_131] [#18]

Originally Posted By topgunpilot20:

Originally Posted By jman_131:
Pretty neat thread. I have been playing around with it.
http://i.imgur.com/6N2Fe.jpg
Jeremy
ETA: test #2
http://i.imgur.com/UGlQR.jpg

Nice job. You find a way to bounce or diffuse the light for test #2?

Yes, I might go out and try to get a light source(perhaps a different camera, LOL). My camera is nothing fancy by any means. I did play around with what little manual settings it has. Samsung SL102 with a tripod, a piece of foil (bounce), and paper (diffuse). White paperboard box, that is really just sitting in a cabinet.
I think that this photo looks the best, IMHO. Especially with what I have.
Test #3

Jeremy
ETA: Stainless will be a challenge.... TEST #1

If you live in West Virginia.. Visit the West Virginia Citizens Defense League

Member NRA - http://www.nra.org/home.aspx
Member WVCDL - http://www.wvcdl.org/
Member ARFCOM - http://www.AR15.com
Member SAF - http://www.saf.org

tc556guy Member Joined Dec 2004 Posts 44861 EE 100% (4) NY, USA	Posted: 5/30/2012 2:19:13 PM EDT [#19] bump
	post contains personal opinion only and should not be considered information released in an official capacity

topgunpilot20 Not a Naval Aviator Joined Aug 2003 Posts 8478 EE 100% (70) TX, USA	Posted: 1/8/2013 8:10:24 PM EDT [#20]
	"It seems that even Allah's promise of paradise loses a bit of it's luster when there's a dude reigning death on your buddies from 600 meters out." - John_Wayne777 on Battle for Al Najaf 04/04/04

HighDesert6920

Entrepreneur

Joined Jul 2010
Posts 1162
EE 100% (2)

WA, USA

Posted: 6/1/2013 5:21:03 PM EDT

[#21]

Originally Posted By st33ve0:

Been practicing a good bit since I first posted in this thread and now I'd like to drop some advice that has helped me a lot. If you want a black background the best thing to do is get separation from your background and apply a lot of light to the subject. I was able to take this photo around 2300 the other night by hanging it up and taking a picture of it while lying on the ground. I used an off camera flash, but you can do the same with some bright constant lights and a bit longer exposure. The closer your light is to your subject and the further away the background is from your subject the darker it will get. This all relates to the inverse square law and all kinds of craziness that doesn't matter as long as you understand how distance affects light.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2702/5774255206_57efde461c_b.jpg

RMJ Tactical Talon X by st33ve0, on Flickr

If you're fortunate enough to have manual controls on your camera you can get some pretty great results by lighting from above through a diffuser. This photo would have been better if I had another flash to hit the shadows in the front a bit, but I'm working on getting more strobes. You can do the same very easily with a few constant lights as long as they're all the same color and have the right kind of light modifiers.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5078/5826155493_335c16a747_b.jpg

RMJ Talon X after demo carnage by st33ve0, on Flickr

Strobes are nice because they're easily portable and provide a lot of light. One thing to keep in mind if you're using constant lights with a long exposure is to make sure you use a tripod and shoot your photos on a steady platform. You can actually lose sharpness by taking photos with a long exposure on a wood floor and walking around during the exposure. This is compounded the longer your focal length is. Be sure to close down your aperture enough to get a good enough Depth of Field [DOF] to get everything in focus. You can figure that out for your lens/camera by checking out http://dofmaster.com/dofjs.html.

I hope these tips help some of you, for the folks that don't have manual controls on their camera I can only recommend that you take your subject outside, put it in the shade, and take the shot around the afternoon or evening as mid-day light is awful in comparison.

One last bit of advice: if you have or are thinking of getting some strobes, go check out strobist.com and read the Lighting 101, On Assignment, and Lighting 102 sections...they've really helped me a lot!

Did you use a black cloth or something similar, for a backdrop?

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." -Leonardo da Vinci

"Here comes the orator! With his flood of words, and his drop of reason." --Benjamin Franklin

Bump the switch!

Mastadon Apex predator in my area Joined Nov 2008 Posts 8990 EE 0% (0) SC, USA	Posted: 11/15/2013 5:24:17 PM EDT [#22] bump

kingoftheroad Argues with assclowns Joined Oct 2005 Posts 8899 EE 100% (17) WI, USA	Posted: 1/13/2014 8:48:37 PM EDT [#23] The instructions in the OP don't seem to match the newer version of Photoshop CC? I can't figure out how to autocolor.
	A combination AK-57, Uzi, radar, laser, triple-barreled,double scoped, heat seeking shotgun.

LMTRocks .._. _... .... _ _ _ Joined Nov 2008 Posts 4921 EE 100% (80) USA	Posted: 6/10/2014 9:49:40 PM EDT [#24]
	Rest in Peace, Jeff Reed. You've touched many lives and made many friends here. Rest In Peace John Noveske. You are missed. AR-15 Armorer Instructor.

doc_Zox Apple Certified Lazer Printer Repair since 1993 Joined Feb 2001 Posts 15875 EE 0% (0) PA, USA	Posted: 6/10/2014 10:31:11 PM EDT [#25]
	"None of you understand. I'm not locked up in here with YOU. You're locked up in here with ME.”, Walter Joseph Kovacs, (w,sste), "The Watchmen"

topgunpilot20 Not a Naval Aviator Joined Aug 2003 Posts 9191 EE 100% (70) TX, USA	Posted: 6/11/2014 5:06:46 PM EDT [#26] Quote History Originally Posted By doc_Zox: http://www.googlepixel.com/images/SpudAR.jpg View Quote Outstanding work.
	"It seems that even Allah's promise of paradise loses a bit of it's luster when there's a dude reigning death on your buddies from 600 meters out." - John_Wayne777 on Battle for Al Najaf 04/04/04

von_landstuhl President's 704 Joined Dec 2004 Posts 6143 EE 100% (4) OH, USA	Posted: 12/5/2014 9:03:51 PM EDT [#27] Thank you for the photography tips. This was done with Gimp, but it was just as easy. I just need to figure out the camera settings to get the whole thing in focus. The rail numbers lose sharpness towards the border.

Birddog1911 39-05N 104-29W @ 7300' Joined Nov 2008 Posts 10215 EE 100% (87) CO, USA	Posted: 12/5/2014 9:08:25 PM EDT [#28] Do I have to clean the dog hair out first? Great post; too bad my damned laptop took a shit.
	Harley motorcycles and Colt 1911s...F@#% the haters! Member of the NRA, GOA, SAF.

topgunpilot20

Not a Naval Aviator

Joined Aug 2003
Posts 9369
EE 100% (70)

TX, USA

Posted: 12/5/2014 9:21:44 PM EDT

[Last Edit: topgunpilot20] [#29]

Quote History

Originally Posted By von_landstuhl:

Thank you for the photography tips. This was done with Gimp, but it was just as easy. I just need to figure out the camera settings to get the whole thing in focus. The rail numbers lose sharpness towards the border.

http://joha.smugmug.com/photos/i-7Tkbjs8/0/L/i-7Tkbjs8-L.jpg

View Quote

Need to use a smaller aperture (higher f/stop number) to increase the field of view.

Backing away and zooming in will also help.

Pic looks great though.

"It seems that even Allah's promise of paradise loses a bit of it's luster when there's a dude reigning death on your buddies from 600 meters out." - John_Wayne777 on Battle for Al Najaf 04/04/04

baron66 Joined Apr 2013 Posts 512 EE 0% (0) FL, USA	Posted: 6/26/2015 2:25:58 PM EDT [#30] I have a tile bath "tub."

bradpierson26 Member Joined Dec 2008 Posts 17655 EE 100% (183) CO, USA	Posted: 6/26/2015 2:32:01 PM EDT [#31] Quote History Originally Posted By baron66: I have a tile bath "tub." View Quote You bumped this thread to tell us?
	I wouldn't stand in front of a piss-filled supersoaker. Does that make it a good pistol? - Caboose314 Trying to scrub the crazy out of a Snowleopard thread makes dividing by zero look easy - Tater

bionicmonkey Joined Aug 2004 Posts 5205 EE 100% (1) WA, USA	Posted: 6/26/2015 2:34:33 PM EDT [#32] not what I was expecting when I clicked on this thread lol cool

brass Serious. Like a Paper Cut. Joined May 2003 Posts 32399 EE 100% (65) SD, USA	Posted: 6/26/2015 2:36:25 PM EDT [#33] Cant' believe I've never seen this thread before.
	The person who complains most, and is the most critical of others has the most to hide. "Obama campaign is going to set back race relations 40 years thanks to some of the company he keeps"-Mazeman

C-4 A rising tide lifts all boats Joined Mar 2003 Posts 48976 EE 100% (133) NH, USA	Posted: 6/26/2015 10:55:50 PM EDT [#34] Quote History Originally Posted By brass: Cant' believe I've never seen this thread before. View Quote I remember seeing it years ago and didn't realize it was still around.
	Don't bite the hand that feeds you, especially if that hand is feeding you opiate pain meds.

elbeefalo Member Joined Jan 2014 Posts 583 EE 100% (3) CO, USA	Posted: 6/26/2015 10:58:55 PM EDT [#35]
	GD liberal definition: Anyone less conservative than yourself.

topgunpilot20 Not a Naval Aviator Joined Aug 2003 Posts 9797 EE 100% (70) TX, USA	Posted: 1/8/2016 6:01:44 PM EDT [#36]
	"It seems that even Allah's promise of paradise loses a bit of it's luster when there's a dude reigning death on your buddies from 600 meters out." - John_Wayne777 on Battle for Al Najaf 04/04/04

topgunpilot20 Not a Naval Aviator Joined Aug 2003 Posts 9854 EE 100% (70) TX, USA	Posted: 1/28/2016 5:58:43 PM EDT [#37] Had some free time and made a composite image:
	"It seems that even Allah's promise of paradise loses a bit of it's luster when there's a dude reigning death on your buddies from 600 meters out." - John_Wayne777 on Battle for Al Najaf 04/04/04

brass Serious. Like a Paper Cut. Joined May 2003 Posts 34198 EE 100% (65) SD, USA	Posted: 1/28/2016 6:58:54 PM EDT [#38] This should be set to no archive, or is it already? Almost 8 years old, excellent photos and info here.
	The person who complains most, and is the most critical of others has the most to hide. Despite what you may have heard, black lives don't matter. Only white killers matter. -- Locke556

112358 "Lobotamy" Joined Jun 2013 Posts 1126 EE 100% (1) CA, USA	Posted: 1/28/2016 7:13:32 PM EDT [#39] Expected a shower cookie thread. I am disappoint.
	"Normal people get killed a lot. Fuck being normal." - DeltaElite777 "But AK's just look cool, that danger factor to them...curved mag like a scythe , the gun just oozes with danger" - WoWPro

topgunpilot20 Not a Naval Aviator Joined Aug 2003 Posts 9856 EE 100% (70) TX, USA	Posted: 1/28/2016 9:19:38 PM EDT [#40] Quote History Originally Posted By brass: This should be set to no archive, or is it already? Almost 8 years old, excellent photos and info here. View Quote It is. That's how it's made it to 8 years. Kinda makes me feel old.
	"It seems that even Allah's promise of paradise loses a bit of it's luster when there's a dude reigning death on your buddies from 600 meters out." - John_Wayne777 on Battle for Al Najaf 04/04/04

kar98k My Avatar is Staring at You. Joined Sep 2005 Posts 16009 EE 100% (47) TX, USA	Posted: 6/14/2017 4:57:35 PM EDT [#41] . still active
	If some catastrophic event happens and most of humanity is wiped from the face of the earth, the only people left to hang out with will be you guys! Oh the horror! -- Boombastic No situation is ever so bad that the government can't make it worse.

kar98k My Avatar is Staring at You. Joined Sep 2005 Posts 16968 EE 100% (47) TX, USA	Posted: 10/7/2017 11:23:40 AM EDT [#42] . Posted: 8/29/2008 - its now over 9 years old
	If some catastrophic event happens and most of humanity is wiped from the face of the earth, the only people left to hang out with will be you guys! Oh the horror! -- Boombastic No situation is ever so bad that the government can't make it worse.

ishoot2live Stay in a Round Room You'll Never get Cornered Joined Nov 2002 Posts 19205 EE 100% (1) NV, USA	Posted: 1/12/2018 12:01:56 AM EDT [#43]
	"Domari Nolo" III

Moose Member Joined Feb 2001 Posts 30324 EE 100% (1) TN, USA	Posted: 1/12/2018 12:56:04 AM EDT [#44] Attached File Took this shortly after this thread started. I thought I posted it, but didn't see it looking back over the thread. Oh, and Fuck Photobucket.

80085 Member Joined Mar 2009 Posts 25679 EE 100% (145) BRA	Posted: 10/17/2019 7:39:44 PM EDT [#45] Bump for a great thread.

How to take decent gun photos in your bathtub . . . (Page 6 of 6)

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