"Boudoir Shots"

Ideas about what?

Simple backgrounds that don't distract are a good one. I use painting canvas paper from a local crafts store for different ones, also is pretty dirt cheap. These are most effective with pistols.



A distracting background loses the focus on what you want to show.

Well, since you mentioned, Boudoir Shots, bbuddtec, I'd be curious if you could reveal Victoria's secret while you're at it. Looks like armoredman is on the case!

Actually, that's my wife's sidearm with one of her dresses, of all things.

I don't think all backgrounds "have" to be plain.
Some look OK.
I took this pic of my 357 today and it came out alright I guess.
But I'm no expert bedroom photographer.....lol

Backgrounds that compliment are awesome, like what you have, very nice, sir. I was speaking to someone who is starting, and may just want pics of just the gun. Often times they photograph them in front of some very busy backgrounds, and unless you can program the camera to blur it, they can be distracting.
BTW, I have never once claimed to be expert, bedroom or not. Oleg Volk is the expert, I just play around.

Here's my attempt at gun por...ART

armoredman said:

Backgrounds that compliment are awesome, like what you have, very nice, sir. I was speaking to someone who is starting, and may just want pics of just the gun. Often times they photograph them in front of some very busy backgrounds, and unless you can program the camera to blur it, they can be distracting.
BTW, I have never once claimed to be expert, bedroom or not. Oleg Volk is the expert, I just play around.

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lol....
I didn't mean you thought you were an expert.
I was just saying I'm not either!....at ALL......lol
I just tossed the gun on a wood pile since I was already outside anyways...
I spent all of about 10 seconds on it and then went shooting.

FIVETWOSEVEN said:

Here's my attempt at gun por...ART

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Don't ya love all the residue on your light you gotta clean off?
My other pistol does the exact same thing.

Try low and different angles. Also use some white paper to reflect light from more angles.

'Product Photographers' used to use neutral grey (18% grey) as a background for lighting, and to 'highlight' the product...

Now, I am told, the photographers lean towards 12% grey as a metering point...

I like to use outdoor backgrounds when possible, no flash.




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bikerdoc said:

I like to use outdoor backgrounds when possible, no flash.

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Me too.

I've realized you don't have to have the whole gun in the photo.

biker doc, nice knife. Is that a horn grip? is it drilled for the knife shank?
56hawk.. That FA, might need a solo shot.

I agree with a plain background IF you are fully trying to detail the gun. but if you are trying to make the OVERALL statement, a background that is in context helps. It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

What is the point of the Photograph?

The Basic Rule is to Idealize the subject.
While Background is important in choosing how to do that you want to minimize the distraction to get the viewer to focus on the subject.
Classic case in point Portraits taken at malls, most people buy the ones that have the classic portrait backgrounds as opposed to the "Christmas" back grounds that are available.
So having other Hunting gear and leaves and logs in your background are fine it lends to the theme, but don't over do it or you detract from the subject and do not Idealize what you are photographing.
The examples I have seen here are actually good examples of keeping the focus on the subject even the leopard print dress, it in fact accentuates that it is a gun that any woman and some men for that matter would want.

I expect to see that picture in an ad for Pink Pistols some day... The custom baseplates were something I was also showing off, a gift from one of my members.

Another thing is to use natural lines to "point the way" to the main subject of the picture - here is one I did that worked that way completely by accident with 6 lines all running right into the firearm.



Only other advice, take LOTS of pictures from multiple angles, and then take the time to go through each and every one, manipulating the image until you find the ones you really like. I've discarded 50 pictures to get one half way decent one.

Play with lighting - and old swivel head floor 3 lamp does a lot of lighting duties for me. Using that, with a baseball hung off the lamp to act as a light block, and a black shower curtain hung behind, I came up with this "streetlamp" look.



Equipment can actually be secondary - these pictures were all taken with a standard pocket digital camera on a tripod. Editing was with a free 10 year old program, Microsoft Picture It! Express...now I use Photo Explosion.

sorry double tap

There is the nothing but the gun school of thought. Just a gun on a plain white background.



Or if you like you can add some simple color.



You can even get away with a pattern background.



Or you can compose a still life shot



Sometimes you can even play with reflections.

I'm just lazy I guess.
I just tossed this one on the bed......lol
Does that count as "Boudoir Shots?"

SMITH357 - what kind of semi-auto rifle is that in your picture? I'm just dying to know!

56 hawk,

Educate me please. What kind of bullet is that on the right side of your picture? I've not seen one like that before.

Jeremiah10:23 said:

56 hawk,

Educate me please. What kind of bullet is that on the right side of your picture? I've not seen one like that before.

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Those are 700 grain bullets for the 500 Smith & Wesson. They are a lot of fun to shoot out of the 2 3/4" barrel.