Gun Photo Tip: Get a Tripod

[Sven]

Picked up a tripod tonight. My, how this improves the quality of the photos I take with my Canon S230.

As my camera is a 'consumer' level rig, I have to rely on auto-focus and also longer exposures... which translate to blur for high resolution images.

So, my recommendation, if you take pictures of your guns, is to get a tripod.

 

[TarpleyG]

Not just guns...use a tripod for anything when possible. This allows for longer exposure times and increases color depth and detail.

GT

 

[echo3mike]

Since you're giving out advice, what imaging software do you guys prefer?

S.

 

[ChandlerM]

Anyone know of a gun manufacturer that puts a tripod mounting hole in the bottom of their guns? Could be real useful for sighting in those scopes....

 

[gun-fucious]

what imaging software?
Adobe Photoshop

the RGB only Adobe Elements should be fine for those starting out
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopel/main.html

if you don't have a tripod
increase the amount of light
till the camera's shutter is quicker than your shakey hand

also zooming in slows the shutter

zoom out and move closer

 

[Sven]

With Photoshop, learn to use the Color Balance, Brightness/Contrast controls... skip the temptation to do 'Auto Levels' and learn to do it yourself. Results are usually worth the time.

Regarding lighting: get as large and diffused of a light as possible so that you have as few shadows and as uniform lighting as you can manage. This is a shortcoming of my current 'studio' (a darkly stained wood room with limited light) and unfortunately I can't just take my guns out in the backyard to photograph them - roommates would have heart attacks.

So, I improvise... turn on all the lights, and even grab a Maglight for 'pin spot' effects when necessary.

Lastly, with digital cameras, film is cheap - take a lot of pictures and cull one or two to post.

 

[BerettaNut92]

Photoshop Elements is $100 or so...Photoshop (full version, not the upgrade) is like $600-700 or so...

IMO not worth $500 more, Elements will do for most people...

 

[45R]

I'm running photoshop 6 and 7. Works great for me and so does my bipod!