My First Post: Two Guitars

[kgmessier]

This is my first post to the forum. May as well start with a couple pictures. I'm a rock star in my spare time, so I figured it'd be appropriate for me to post two of my guitars. I took these with a Canon A95. I'm very new to photography -- very new -- so I welcome all comments and suggestions.

- Keith

Gibson Les Paul
http://web.mac.com/kgmessier/iWeb/Site/Images/thor_closeup1_img.jpg

Fender Stratocaster
http://web.mac.com/kgmessier/iWeb/Site/Images/loki_leaning_img.jpg

[ironbelle]

Welcome to photography. I learned that photography is a Greek work meaning "to write with light". Rock and photography are to great things that go hand in hand. You probably have great access to other performers of your caliber so when you are not in on a gig, perhaps you can pull your camera out. Maybe you'll grow up to digital SLR photography with multiple lenses and then you'll really see what the fun is. You'll have more lenses than guitars, so look out ha ha.

[Beau Hudspeth]

Welcome to the forums and welcome to your the next thing to consume all your $$$!

With that said: when shooting musical instruments, I find that in most cases, it is better if you have no background visible - and if you do have one make sure that is compliments the 'guitar' instead of detracting from it. This can be looked at in a logical way as well. For smaller things like flutes, for a BG [background] you could use sheetmusic or a music stand. For medium sized things like guitars, a plain white, black or any muted solid colored bg is ok. Also, a nude woman works well too ...

For example, I shot these against a piece of black velvet ONE (http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/big.asp?photoID=668140&catID=&style=&rowNumber=7&memberID=80048) | TWO (http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/big.asp?photoID=3179377&catID=&style=&rowNumber=17&memberID=80048) with a very short depth of field. This keeps the instrument in focus and lets the unnecessary stuff fall in to blur.

Good luck and welcome to the wonderfully fun and expensive world of photography!:lol:

[kgmessier]

Welcome to the forums and welcome to your the next thing to consume all your $$$!

Ha! Thanks, Beau. I'm new to photography, but not to hobbies that siphon money out of one's wallet, what with being a musician. From the pictures you linked, it looks like you're one as well. :)

With that said: when shooting musical instruments, I find that in most cases, it is better if you have no background visible - and if you do have one make sure that is compliments the 'guitar' instead of detracting from it. This can be looked at in a logical way as well. For smaller things like flutes, for a BG [background] you could use sheetmusic or a music stand. For medium sized things like guitars, a plain white, black or any muted solid colored bg is ok. Also, a nude woman works well too ...

I don't have any nude women hanging around the music room, so I'll have to go with one of your other suggestions. I thought the parquet floor created an interesting texture on the Stratocaster photo, but I can see how it comes off as distracting as well; it dilutes the beauty of the guitar itself. I'll try laying down a plain sheet to remove the pattern.

For example, I shot these against a piece of black velvet ONE (http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/big.asp?photoID=668140&catID=&style=&rowNumber=7&memberID=80048) | TWO (http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/big.asp?photoID=3179377&catID=&style=&rowNumber=17&memberID=80048) with a very short depth of field. This keeps the instrument in focus and lets the unnecessary stuff fall in to blur.

These are gorgeous pictures. I especially like the first of the two, showing the wound strings. Do you open the aperature more to shorten the field of view? I have a Canon A95, and I know I can vary the aperature, but this is completely new territory to me.

Good luck and welcome to the wonderfully fun and expensive world of photography!:lol:

Thanks! I've been looking for an other fun, yet expensive, hobby.

- Keith

[Beau Hudspeth]

Do you open the aperture more to shorten the field of view? I have a Canon A95, and I know I can vary the aperture, but this is completely new territory to me.Yes. That is exactly what you do. It can really bring an object in to prominence when the bg is 'washed' away ...

[0110x011]

You and I are in the same boat, my friend. And be careful, I have invested almost as much into my camera setup in the last few months than I currently have invested in my guitar setup. what LP is that? A classic? or a standard with aftermarket pickups?

[kgmessier]

You and I are in the same boat, my friend. And be careful, I have invested almost as much into my camera setup in the last few months than I currently have invested in my guitar setup. what LP is that? A classic? or a standard with aftermarket pickups?

Yeah, guitar rigs easily can cost a small fortune.

The guitar you're looking at is a 1994 Les Paul Standard with a Seymour Duncan JP pickup in the bridge, and a Seymour Duncan '59 in the neck. I have it wired Jimmy Page style, so I am able to split the humbuckers into single coils, change the phase, etc.

I love this guitar. His name is Thor.

- Keith

[0110x011]

Yeah, guitar rigs easily can cost a small fortune.

The guitar you're looking at is a 1994 Les Paul Standard with a Seymour Duncan JP pickup in the bridge, and a Seymour Duncan '59 in the neck. I have it wired Jimmy Page style, so I am able to split the humbuckers into single coils, change the phase, etc.

I love this guitar. His name is Thor.

- Keith

NIiiiiice. I have the same pickups in my PRS Custom 22. I think a guitar pic thread is in order, here.

[sprinkles]

soon you'll be having a tough time deciding between new photo gear and new music gear. lol. i dont play music myself but i find buying musical instruments to be rather addictive, you just wanna collect a bunch of them :D

you can try laying the guitars flat on the parquet floor & shooting them from above..

love the first shot btw! :mrgreen:

[kgmessier]

you can try laying the guitars flat on the parquet floor & shooting them from above.

That's a really good idea! I'll have to try that and post the results. How do you handle avoiding your own reflection when shooting a glossy surface (such as this guitar's finish) from above?

- Keith

[Ianfp]

Guitars and camera gear - a dangerous combination! These are nice shots but nicer guitars, especially the LP. I was thinking about buying a LP this Christmas but got a lens instead for about half the price! Now I want the LP!
Ian

[sprinkles]

How do you handle avoiding your own reflection when shooting a glossy surface (such as this guitar's finish) from above?

- Keith

you probably have to shoot it at a slight angle? not sure of a polariser would help.. there is someone on HC that does a really good job with this.

[kgmessier]

you probably have to shoot it at a slight angle? not sure of a polariser would help.. there is someone on HC that does a really good job with this.

What's "HC"? (Probably a newbie question.)