So I played with the camera...

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Nick1911

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... and got some ok-ish photo's out of the digital, and the jury is still out on the 35mm (I'll get them back tomorrow; and naturally, post some of them)

For now, here are three of my Springfield 1911 Loaded.

As always, I'm very open to any suggestions, and\or criticisms.

Thanks,
Nick

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This is all coming from a layman to photography. The first one seems a little blurry. The second one looks great, I can't find anything to complain about. The third one is good, too, but the way the shadows hit the pistol and the way it looks in the tree just seems a little "off". All three of them are good photos, however. Good job.
 
I like them. I think the contrast on the first pic of the beautiful gun and the old rotting wood is interesting, not sure if I like that or not. I might have tried the gun laying on new, finished, wood, to show off the new-ness of the gun.

The second pic I like the slash of color from the grass in the background, makes the pic a little more appealing.

The third of the gun climbing the tree is cool. Kinda odd, makes me think "why is gun climging a tree?" but They're all very good shots and great resolutions and focus.
 
First pic is gorgeous. The contrast of the pristine 1911 against the weathered wood is near perfect. The second would be as good, but the backdrop of foliage appears slightly blurry, though that might be simply the shadows. If using a contrasting backdrop I would take steps to bring it also into focus. The third, while an interesting shot, is slightly bright. If these are first attempts at firearm photography, you are doing incredibly well.
 
This is all coming from a layman to photography.
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Me too. This is my first attempt to capture anything seriously with a camera.

The first one seems a little blurry.
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I *think* this might be due to the compression. (I had to get it so it would fit on this board; anyone have a good, free, photo housing place?)

The third of the gun climbing the tree is cool. Kinda odd, makes me think "why is gun climging a tree?"
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Yea, that one seems to get odder and odder the more I look at it. That's just how the gun wanted to set in the tree. Fun to look at though :p .

The second would be as good, but the backdrop of foliage appears slightly blurry, though that might be simply the shadows.
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Yep, It's pretty out of focus; the camera was focused on the gun. Not sure if there is any non-Photoshop way to shoot that and get everything in focus? (Experts? lol)

These are indeed my first try at any real serious photography - I seem to have most my problems with getting light *just* right, and finding a good composition. Thanks for your feedback, I appreciate any and all. (And that includes you lurkers out there! ;)

Nick
 
You ever thought about refinishing your deck??
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It's on my parents list.... somewhere. Not my deck, although I would like to see it re-finished before the thing falls off the house.

mumbles incoherently about parents not doing any routine maintenance

Funny how we replied at about the same time.

Nick
 
As always, I'm very open to any suggestions, and\or criticisms.
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I suggest that you package up that gun and promptly mail it to me. :D

I really like the 2nd pic. Keep up the good work!

-Parke1
 
Good choice of subject and background.
Good composition.
The single source lighting is causing some distracting shadows. A reflector or fill light (or 2) would be very beneficial.

Lots of potential, you seem to have a good eye. Keep up the good work.
 
The first two have a great contrast between the metal of the gun, and the silverish look of the old wood, and the bright/dark green grass in the second one adds to the effect. You picked a good time of day to shoot these, because the long shadows look nice.

The third one doesn't quite get me like the first two. The lighting isn't as good, with the tree trunk casting a solid shadow on the front half of the 1911. If it had been light playing through some leaves, that would have been neat.

Other than being a little sharper or a little more high res, I give it a thumbs up! :D
 
Ok, here comes the unconstructive criticism.

Deck as gun backdrop is a total cliche.

Use of only direct sunlight is simplistic.

The pros use many light sources, of different colors, with diffusers and reflectors to control all shadows and reflections (I have heard that a Playboy studio shot may use a hundred lights.) Actually, the fortuitious use of the sharp yellow sunlight and diffuse blue sky light isn't a bad look, but credit should go to a higher authority for slecting those characteristics.

Lighting, lighting, lighting.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. :D
 
The pros use many light sources, of different colors, with diffusers and reflectors to control all shadows and reflections (I have heard that a Playboy studio shot may use a hundred lights.)
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Of course, there are those of us who would rather spend our $$ on more guns & ammo instead of lighting equipment. We can't all make a living at it like Oleg! :neener:
 
Of course, there are those of us who would rather spend our $$ on more guns & ammo instead of lighting equipment. We can't all make a living at it like Oleg!
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Yea, what he said! :p I don't have any dedicated lighting equiptment, so for indoors, it's good ol' incandescent bulbs. (Sorry - no halogens!) So, for now, I'm going to mostly use the giant fusion reactor in the sky. Although I wouldn't be opposed to someday buying some of those big "work light" things on a tripod... have to watch those garage sales. ;)

I've come to the conclusion that I like #2 best. I think #3 could have been better if I had played with it more.

Thanks for your replies; 35mm photos should be in tomorrow. (Though they will be really boring, i used a white sheet as a background. That was mainly so I could see what different f-stops and shutter speeds would do)

Nick
 
Great pics of a great gun. I have the twin to that gun. What a great gun SA has there. I love mine.

Jim Hall
 
Nick ..... overall, very creditable efforts ...... this is a good beginning. Much re photo criticism is subjective ... and in the end .. photograph what you like - the way you like it.

Main suggestion ... and yeah lighting is everything. Get two or three yards of cheapo white fabric from Wally World ...... and drape it somehow over the subject (a few feet above of course!) .... it'll diffuse light .. (and daylight is always IMO the best) .... that then softens shadows a lot ... and still retains 3D modelling. In fact - you have got excellent shadow definition already here but try the ''light tent'' too.

Experiment ... a lot .... and maybe try for backgrounds that don't compete too much ... the gun is subject ........ so let it have the stage!!!!

Not saying my stuff is any great shakes ... it's just what I like to do .... same for you. But do play with lighting. A secondary source can help modelling a lot.

Later - if possible ... get a dig cam with manual everything ... it'll expand your options a lot.

Look 4ward to seeing some scans from the 35mm shots. Keep up the good work.
 
A little drama?

Here's one I took with the series that I did with the 35mm (I mounted the digital and took a few shots after the 35mm and forgot about them until now...) On this pic the light was much stronger, but indirect. I like how it cast deep shadows without overexposing everything. Like or dislike?

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Wow. WOW.

Only suggestion would be to get the whole gun (tail end of the MSH is off the frame) in the pic!

Very nice!

And add a knife already! :evil:
 
Nick - another nice pic ........ tho for my taste on the dark and soft side, maybe a bit too much .. lacks a bit of ''life'' ... again tho this is very subjective. I took liberty of ''playing'' with that pic a bit to create a bit more impact ...... purposely went a bit ''the other way'' ....


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BTW .. your original was minimally compressed and big at about 150k .... my version is compressed 11:1 from yours down to 35k ... much faster for download and I don't think you'll find any serious degredation.
 
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