Tips for Taking Pics of Your Gear

steelhorse · 01-09-2009, 07:43 PM

To Nakleh:

Yeah I was about to ask you the same thing about the pics because I have Nikon D300 and various lenses but your pics are off the hook.

So you just use the lamp and overhead lights and no flash?

Any suggestions on settings for a 50mm f1.8 to achieve similar results?

Silverbursted · 01-09-2009, 08:01 PM

Here are a couple of examples I took with my D300 using a Voightlander 58mm F1.4 Prime.
And you're right Nakleh's pictures are definitely off the hook.

steelhorse · 01-09-2009, 08:05 PM

Beautiful pics outdoors!

Can't wait to see what kind of info Nakleh might be able to pass on to us!

Silverbursted · 01-09-2009, 08:06 PM

I was just thinking the same thing. Having a pro onboard is a real bonus.

nakleh · 01-10-2009, 10:14 AM

Great idea for a thread, Steelhorse. I'd be glad to help out in any way I can. I need to run out and do some things right now, but I'll post back later on.

For now, if anyone has specific questions regarding how to take better photos of their gear, post them here and I will do my best to answer them. Unfortunately it's a VERY broad subject, kind of like "how do I play guitar better".. there are many factors that go into a good photograph. Try and be descriptive with your questions and I will try my best to answer and give you a good "recipe" for a good photograph.

If you want to check out my personal photography website, have a look here: http://www.nakleh.com

Silverbursted · 01-10-2009, 11:32 PM

Thanks Nakleh, I appreciate the offer...

I love taking pics of my gear, great lines IMO. My problem has always been the background for the static shots. In your initial pics you posted, you were using a piece of black cloth or something, I realize this is going to provide the greatest contrast, but should you always go with a solid darker background?

Next, because I am using a fast prime (Voightlander 58 F1.4) or my kit lens (Tamron 17-50 F2.8), I do not use the built in flash I would rather step up the iso in lower light. Would using a shoe mounted flash/strobe be beneficial?

nakleh · 01-13-2009, 11:36 AM

You dont need a DARKER background necessarily, but I tend to prefer solid color backgrounds, so long as the color compliments the item you are shooting. A solid background lets the eye focus on the subject, not the background. Anything else to me, is a distraction from the main subject.

For example, a couple of pics I took, in my house, on my dining room table..

The one on the left used plain white butcher paper as a background. The on the right used black cloth.

Again, white butcher paper.

it works great for people, too. This is thunder grey photo paper, hung on the wall, and using a studio flash.

My best tip for taking pics of gear, no matter what lens you use, or with/without flash is : USE A TRIPOD. Without a tripod and without proper lighting, you often will not be able to obtain a shutter speed fast enough to prevent blur. For instance- the shots of my amp above, were done with household lamps, no flash. But the reason they came out nice is that I had the camera on a tripod. The shutter speed at iso 400 was a 1.5 seconds- which would not be possible without a tripod. With proper studio flashes you can get shutter speeds of 1/125 of a second, but that involves purchasing lights [I use the WHITE LIGHTNING X1600, for my own work at times].

I don't recommend on-camera flash. It's too close to the axis of the lens, and "flattens" out the image- being able to move the light OFF CAMERA AXIS allows you to "sculpt" the light. [You can do this either via studio strobes, or an SLR flash with off-camera cord. Look at how in the pics of Freddy and Jason above, how the light interacts with the image. For Jason, the light was above and to the right.. for Freddy, directly above, pointing down. The lighting is night-and-day.

A tripod lets you use ANY shutter speed, no matter how slow, and still get good results.

more to come, if you have questions, ask away!

Silverbursted · 01-13-2009, 11:10 PM

Thanks, I'll try the different backgrounds for shooting indoors. I am going to Barrett-Jackson this weekend, last year was pretty good, but all I had was an old point and shoot. This year I'll have my D300 and a pocket full of memory cards. So may beautiful cars and lots of action, probably won't take too long to go through them. Since this is a music forum, I'll have to limit my postings here to music related subjects but if something really comes out great, I'll go off line with you.

MartyStrat54 · 03-15-2009, 03:46 PM

I have to take lots of pictures to post on Ebay for items that I sell. I use a tripod whenever possible. However, I never was much into manual 35mm cameras and that has sort of come and gone with the advent of digital cameras. That is what I use, a digital camera and a tripod. If the pictures come out clear enough to read "General Electric" on my preamp tubes, I know I have a clear pic. However, sometimes I do take pic's with just a steady hand and most of them come out good.

Marty

Mike_j · 04-08-2009, 01:01 PM

I took some shots of my amp stack and guitars on my old Nikon SLR and got some good results. I used plain backgrounds and shot indoors. I put the flash on a tripod and positioned it slightly left and above the camera. I diffused the the flash and bracketed my shots on TTL mode. This made sure I did not blow out the hightlights and chrome areas on the guitar. Too easy.
Digital or film? Can't afford the digital Nikon system I want yet so I'm still using trannie film. At the end of the day, its all about where you put the light (or don't put it).
Mike.

01-09-2009, 07:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,952	Tips for Taking Pics of Your Gear To Nakleh: Yeah I was about to ask you the same thing about the pics because I have Nikon D300 and various lenses but your pics are off the hook. So you just use the lamp and overhead lights and no flash? Any suggestions on settings for a 50mm f1.8 to achieve similar results? __________________ www.ricojronline.com 760-956-6619 Garmopat Pedal Mods "I wouldn't mind hearing your head smash through a glass door. That would be cool..." luekmeyer

01-09-2009, 08:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Silverbursted Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 144	Re: Tips for Taking Pics of Your Gear Here are a couple of examples I took with my D300 using a Voightlander 58mm F1.4 Prime. And you're right Nakleh's pictures are definitely off the hook. __________________ Gear 2007 Gibson Les Paul R9 2004 Gibson Les Paul R7 2007 Fender YJM Strat 2007 Ibanez RG550 RI 2009 Jackson Soloist 1989 Kramer Baretta Sustainer 2008 Fender American Deluxe P-Bass 2007 Traveller Speedster Marshall JVM410c Rocktron Voodu Valve Laney VC15 Roland Cube

01-09-2009, 08:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,952	Re: Tips for Taking Pics of Your Gear Beautiful pics outdoors! Can't wait to see what kind of info Nakleh might be able to pass on to us! __________________ www.ricojronline.com 760-956-6619 Garmopat Pedal Mods "I wouldn't mind hearing your head smash through a glass door. That would be cool..." luekmeyer

01-09-2009, 08:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
Silverbursted Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 144	Re: Tips for Taking Pics of Your Gear I was just thinking the same thing. Having a pro onboard is a real bonus. __________________ Gear 2007 Gibson Les Paul R9 2004 Gibson Les Paul R7 2007 Fender YJM Strat 2007 Ibanez RG550 RI 2009 Jackson Soloist 1989 Kramer Baretta Sustainer 2008 Fender American Deluxe P-Bass 2007 Traveller Speedster Marshall JVM410c Rocktron Voodu Valve Laney VC15 Roland Cube

01-10-2009, 10:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
nakleh Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 82	Re: Tips for Taking Pics of Your Gear Great idea for a thread, Steelhorse. I'd be glad to help out in any way I can. I need to run out and do some things right now, but I'll post back later on. For now, if anyone has specific questions regarding how to take better photos of their gear, post them here and I will do my best to answer them. Unfortunately it's a VERY broad subject, kind of like "how do I play guitar better".. there are many factors that go into a good photograph. Try and be descriptive with your questions and I will try my best to answer and give you a good "recipe" for a good photograph. If you want to check out my personal photography website, have a look here: http://www.nakleh.com __________________ nakleh Website • MySpace • Band MySpace 2006 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom 1978 Marshall JMP 2204 • 2007 Engl Fireball • 1984 Marshall JCM800 4x12 Cab Blackstar HT-5 • Avatar 1x12 Closed Back Cab

Today
Marshall Amps	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on Marshall Amp Forum

01-10-2009, 11:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
Silverbursted Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 144	Re: Tips for Taking Pics of Your Gear Thanks Nakleh, I appreciate the offer... I love taking pics of my gear, great lines IMO. My problem has always been the background for the static shots. In your initial pics you posted, you were using a piece of black cloth or something, I realize this is going to provide the greatest contrast, but should you always go with a solid darker background? Next, because I am using a fast prime (Voightlander 58 F1.4) or my kit lens (Tamron 17-50 F2.8), I do not use the built in flash I would rather step up the iso in lower light. Would using a shoe mounted flash/strobe be beneficial? __________________ Gear 2007 Gibson Les Paul R9 2004 Gibson Les Paul R7 2007 Fender YJM Strat 2007 Ibanez RG550 RI 2009 Jackson Soloist 1989 Kramer Baretta Sustainer 2008 Fender American Deluxe P-Bass 2007 Traveller Speedster Marshall JVM410c Rocktron Voodu Valve Laney VC15 Roland Cube

01-13-2009, 11:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
nakleh Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 82	Re: Tips for Taking Pics of Your Gear You dont need a DARKER background necessarily, but I tend to prefer solid color backgrounds, so long as the color compliments the item you are shooting. A solid background lets the eye focus on the subject, not the background. Anything else to me, is a distraction from the main subject. For example, a couple of pics I took, in my house, on my dining room table.. The one on the left used plain white butcher paper as a background. The on the right used black cloth. Again, white butcher paper. it works great for people, too. This is thunder grey photo paper, hung on the wall, and using a studio flash. My best tip for taking pics of gear, no matter what lens you use, or with/without flash is : USE A TRIPOD. Without a tripod and without proper lighting, you often will not be able to obtain a shutter speed fast enough to prevent blur. For instance- the shots of my amp above, were done with household lamps, no flash. But the reason they came out nice is that I had the camera on a tripod. The shutter speed at iso 400 was a 1.5 seconds- which would not be possible without a tripod. With proper studio flashes you can get shutter speeds of 1/125 of a second, but that involves purchasing lights [I use the WHITE LIGHTNING X1600, for my own work at times]. I don't recommend on-camera flash. It's too close to the axis of the lens, and "flattens" out the image- being able to move the light OFF CAMERA AXIS allows you to "sculpt" the light. [You can do this either via studio strobes, or an SLR flash with off-camera cord. Look at how in the pics of Freddy and Jason above, how the light interacts with the image. For Jason, the light was above and to the right.. for Freddy, directly above, pointing down. The lighting is night-and-day. A tripod lets you use ANY shutter speed, no matter how slow, and still get good results. more to come, if you have questions, ask away! __________________ nakleh Website • MySpace • Band MySpace 2006 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom 1978 Marshall JMP 2204 • 2007 Engl Fireball • 1984 Marshall JCM800 4x12 Cab Blackstar HT-5 • Avatar 1x12 Closed Back Cab

01-13-2009, 11:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
Silverbursted Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 144	Re: Tips for Taking Pics of Your Gear Thanks, I'll try the different backgrounds for shooting indoors. I am going to Barrett-Jackson this weekend, last year was pretty good, but all I had was an old point and shoot. This year I'll have my D300 and a pocket full of memory cards. So may beautiful cars and lots of action, probably won't take too long to go through them. Since this is a music forum, I'll have to limit my postings here to music related subjects but if something really comes out great, I'll go off line with you. __________________ Gear 2007 Gibson Les Paul R9 2004 Gibson Les Paul R7 2007 Fender YJM Strat 2007 Ibanez RG550 RI 2009 Jackson Soloist 1989 Kramer Baretta Sustainer 2008 Fender American Deluxe P-Bass 2007 Traveller Speedster Marshall JVM410c Rocktron Voodu Valve Laney VC15 Roland Cube

03-15-2009, 03:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 4,935	Re: Tips for Taking Pics of Your Gear I have to take lots of pictures to post on Ebay for items that I sell. I use a tripod whenever possible. However, I never was much into manual 35mm cameras and that has sort of come and gone with the advent of digital cameras. That is what I use, a digital camera and a tripod. If the pictures come out clear enough to read "General Electric" on my preamp tubes, I know I have a clear pic. However, sometimes I do take pic's with just a steady hand and most of them come out good. Marty

04-08-2009, 01:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mike_j Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 245	Re: Tips for Taking Pics of Your Gear I took some shots of my amp stack and guitars on my old Nikon SLR and got some good results. I used plain backgrounds and shot indoors. I put the flash on a tripod and positioned it slightly left and above the camera. I diffused the the flash and bracketed my shots on TTL mode. This made sure I did not blow out the hightlights and chrome areas on the guitar. Too easy. Digital or film? Can't afford the digital Nikon system I want yet so I'm still using trannie film. At the end of the day, its all about where you put the light (or don't put it). Mike.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode