Need some critique's **6 shots**

[swatcop169]

Ok, need some critique's here. First time shooting in RAW, and first time shooting indoors. Covered a chair with two white shirts, took two 120watt lamps and set on either side of the chair. Used the camera flash along with the two lights. Let me know what you think, what I need to change, etc. In the converstion from RAW to JPG I messed with the color temp (which is new to me) and its set from 3400-3600K.

http://webpages.charter.net/jsmith2094/DPP_0002.jpg

http://webpages.charter.net/jsmith2094/DPP_0003.jpg

http://webpages.charter.net/jsmith2094/DPP_0006.jpg

http://webpages.charter.net/jsmith2094/DPP_0008.jpg

http://webpages.charter.net/jsmith2094/DPP_0014.jpg

http://webpages.charter.net/jsmith2094/DPP_0018.jpg

[tim]

I like #2, it's more abstract, and I don't really like guns.

[blinking8s]

im not feelin them, other than #1 and #2 the focus feels soft...and being a gun user the shots of the glock just dont seem interesting

[swatcop169]

Yea this is new to me so any help would be great. I'm going to look for some brighter lights today and add a 3rd to the area so I don't have to use my flash.

[Andy_T]

Swatcop,

the first Glock image is a little overexposed, you see it at the trigger housing and the rear of the gun. Still, it's the best of the three.

The second is a bit uninteresting, you might work at the crop. Also, the shallow DOF renders a part of the gun unsharp, I'd take a bit more DOF here.

Ditto on the handcuffs, here the focus is off.

On the lens shot, the focus is also clearly off ... round reflective objects aren't the best for focusing. Use a focus target (like putting some flat high contrast thing (non-reflective playing card?) in front of the object, focusing and removing it before the shot.

Did you use a light tent? Looks like direct flash to me, which is not the best solution. Take a look at chops' setup that he describes here: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=50029

Best regards,
Andy

[DeeplyDigital]

You need to iron the shirts & sheets....

Julia

[swatcop169]

Swatcop,

the first Glock image is a little overexposed, you see it at the trigger housing and the rear of the gun. Still, it's the best of the three.

The second is a bit uninteresting, you might work at the crop. Also, the shallow DOF renders a part of the gun unsharp, I'd take a bit more DOF here.

Ditto on the handcuffs, here the focus is off.

On the lens shot, the focus is also clearly off ... round reflective objects aren't the best for focusing. Use a focus target (like putting some flat high contrast thing (non-reflective playing card?) in front of the object, focusing and removing it before the shot.

Did you use a light tent? Looks like direct flash to me, which is not the best solution. Take a look at chops' setup that he describes here: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=50029

Best regards,
Andy
Thanks Andy. I'm trying to save up to get something better like a tent in Chops picture, along with some other flashes to help. Right now I'm just using a chair, two white shirts, two house hold lamps. Its not much to work with. Trying to find a better bulb to use so I don't have to use my flash.

I know I know the shirts need to be ironed

[Andy_T]

Trying to find a better bulb to use so I don't have to use my flash.

I know I know the shirts need to be ironed

Maybe use one of the shirts as diffusor over the flash. At least, bounce it for indirect lighting to eliminate the very shiny reflections.

Buy Prints from JDS Photography

Awesome landscape photographs on your site! I'm really impressed.

Just a word of advice ... if you really want to sell prints, you maybe shouldn't post your pictures in original size ...
With your job, you should know that people are basically bad ;-)

Best regards,
Andy

[swatcop169]

Maybe use one of the shirts as diffusor over the flash. At least, bounce it for indirect lighting to eliminate the very shiny reflections.



Awesome landscape photographs on your site! I'm really impressed.

Just a word of advice ... if you really want to sell prints, you maybe shouldn't post your pictures in original size ...
With your job, you should know that people are basically bad ;-)

Best regards,
Andy
With the stock flash can I bouce it? I'm also saving for a Sigma 500 flash so :(

Thanks for the advice, I seem to have better shots outside then inside :) I can actually set what size I want people to view, along with watermarks and turned off right click so hopefully it'll help cut down.

[TSORoanoke]

I have some ideas...

Try a different background - anything is better than white (unless this is a "product" shot - such as would be used for posting on ebay). Possibly lay the 21 on a target (that you've aced of course), maybe with some spent shells? Try laying it on top of a pile of emptys (sends message you've practiced). Maybe try taking the photo looking through the sights at a target? Maybe lay it across your vest or jacket? Could also try dim lighting - or point lighting (small flashlight, or cover your existing light with cardboard and have a hole in it) (could also try this effect in photoshop).

For "cheap" background, you can try a fabric store - they have just about any color you could want (and some off the wall stuff). Also try foamcore posterboard available at any craft store - good for little subjects but have to watch for reflections.

I may try one of these - a little competition if you will.

Your landscape shots are very good! These will catch up I'm sure.

[swatcop169]

I have some ideas...

Try a different background - anything is better than white (unless this is a "product" shot - such as would be used for posting on ebay). Possibly lay the 21 on a target (that you've aced of course), maybe with some spent shells? Try laying it on top of a pile of emptys (sends message you've practiced). Maybe try taking the photo looking through the sights at a target? Maybe lay it across your vest or jacket? Could also try dim lighting - or point lighting (small flashlight, or cover your existing light with cardboard and have a hole in it) (could also try this effect in photoshop).

For "cheap" background, you can try a fabric store - they have just about any color you could want (and some off the wall stuff). Also try foamcore posterboard available at any craft store - good for little subjects but have to watch for reflections.

I may try one of these - a little competition if you will.

Your landscape shots are very good! These will catch up I'm sure.
Thanks I hadn't thought about the different backgrounds. have to try that. I was told about the foamcore board so I'll take a look into. Alittle friendly compeition never hurt no one ;)

[BruceC]

Keep in mind I am a newbee. Try useing tripod. maybe natural light. I have taken pictures with house lamps and have neven been hapy with the pictures. Too yellow. Here is a picture of one of my pistols. http://www.pbase.com/demon440/image/37323395
I think the picture is good but I want to try some differnt backrounds.

A side note. I plan on going to NC in a this comming saturday. I am hoping to find some stuff to take pictures of.

[swatcop169]

Keep in mind I am a newbee. Try useing tripod. maybe natural light. I have taken pictures with house lamps and have neven been hapy with the pictures. Too yellow. Here is a picture of one of my pistols. http://www.pbase.com/demon440/image/37323395
I think the picture is good but I want to try some differnt backrounds.

A side note. I plan on going to NC in a this comming saturday. I am hoping to find some stuff to take pictures of.
What part are you coming to?

[BruceC]

Lumberton. Visiting my wifes brother and faimly.

[swatcop169]

Lumberton. Visiting my wifes brother and faimly.
You might be able to get some nice shots. If you get a chance head up towards Asheville, you won't regret it.