Gun guys: some advice on shooting long guns?

[Reverend]

I've been toying around last weekend with shooting some of my handguns in a lightbox, and decided to document all of my pistols. Below is an example.

http://cardork.com/photo/d/719-1/IMG_1602.jpg

Well that phase of the project is nearly complete, and its time to move on to my long guns. I really don't know where to start with these. They can be so long, that it would create a ton of dead space. Any ideas on how I could approach this? I know I'll be using stuff like knives, lights, and ammo as filler stuff.

Any direction you all can give would be appreciated.

[tkoutdoor]

...Well that phase of the project is nearly complete, and its time to move on to my long guns. I really don't know where to start with these. They can be so long, that it would create a ton of dead space. Any ideas on how I could approach this? I know I'll be using stuff like knives, lights, and ammo as filler stuff.

Any direction you all can give would be appreciated.You could put multiple long guns in the same photo arrange neatly so you don't have the dead space. Otherwise you might exaggerate the perspective by shooting down the side of the stock instead of shooting it perpendicular to the side. You could check gun magazines and ads for ideas as well. Aside from that I'd guess you might try a long gun shot combined with multiple close-ups all printed in the same photo like an array of photos being displayed together. I've not tried these things, but that's what comes to mind.

[dashotgun]

I am curious why you went with the crimson trace and the xml as they make a combined unit with a light and laser? I have a sc 9 and 45c check out my pictures if you want. Long guns would be better photgraphed outside the light box in my opinion in the same thread I have a picture of my 590 mossberg to give you an idea.

[Reverend]

I am curious why you went with the crimson trace and the xml as they make a combined unit with a light and laser? I have a sc 9 and 45c check out my pictures if you want. Long guns would be better photgraphed outside the light box in my opinion in the same thread I have a picture of my 590 mossberg to give you an idea.
I went with separate units because there are instances that I don't keep the light on the gun, but I do want to keep the laser sight. The gun doesn't balance well in a holster with that bulky light on it. Also, when the laser sight is fixed to the frame of the gun it will invariably be more accurate for a longer time, seeing as it does not get removed and reattached as frequently as it might if it were part of the light.

I would like to see the pic you took of your mossberg.

[Kelvrick]

I don't think you need anything special. The whitespace will be cropped out anyway and it'll be like a long pano.

Photography aside, I prefer the flashlight off weapon as well. I don't necessarily want the business end pointing wherever I might want to see.

[Farva187]

heres a few i took tonight. im still working with the whole long gun photos, i got plenty of rifles but not ideas for how to make them stand out in a photo.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/3042285870_fc33ee91d8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/3041446987_fa819ace07_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3225/3041448495_d1373da883_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/3041452473_4cf0cae431_b.jpg

i tried useing the flash, i have a 430ex, but it was over powering.
these above were taken in Tv mode 1/200 ISO 100 +1

[Mark1]

Mmmm.... I actually like the asphalt as a background.

[Kelvrick]

I don't. It might scratch my babies. :D

If it gets scratched during use, ok, but not ok during photoshoot.

[Mark1]

I don't. It might scratch my babies. :D

If it gets scratched during use, ok, but not ok during photoshoot.


he he he, Battle scars are cool!:D

[dashotgun]

I don't want to double post so here is a link to the 590
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=6708731#post6708731

I only use the flash light/ laser for the home defense gun

[rcfury]

First off, I have to say that carbine is just a beauty.. That rifle screams for a Urban Assult type of location. When i was in the miltary, I shot and held plenty of beautiful pieces of equipment but, yours takes the cake. Care to share some details?

In terms of photography. Try to put the rifles on a contrasting background to draw attention to the subject. Just like using the brown jacket from Dashotgun's images. With long rifles you basicly got limited angles that could showcase the subject. Also, maybe getting a closer crop on the image would help draw the eye to the suject.

[Farva187]

First off, I have to say that carbine is just a beauty.. That rifle screams for a Urban Assult type of location. When i was in the miltary, I shot and held plenty of beautiful pieces of equipment but, yours takes the cake. Care to share some details?

In terms of photography. Try to put the rifles on a contrasting background to draw attention to the subject. Just like using the brown jacket from Dashotgun's images. With long rifles you basicly got limited angles that could showcase the subject. Also, maybe getting a closer crop on the image would help draw the eye to the suject.

im still working on different backgrounds, no doubt im going to find better ones alone the way.

the top one is my AK74 Polish Tantal. its practicaly new only shot it once. on the other hand my DPMS M4 is 11 years old, i got it for a birthday present, 2X ACOG Amber dot, Surefire weapon light, YHM lightweight quad rail, light weight profile barrel, tromix shark brake, SOCOM ace stock. its actually so old its a cast reciever, which is totally unheard of now a days. i used to shoot in monthly comps at a local range during that time i would blow thru 400 rounds an event. in total its prolly got close to 20K rnds thru it. i have replaced the extractor and fireing pin, just based on the age and wear.

[Farva187]

took these today.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/3044717934_460945d804_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3170/3044716096_07ff483a9f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/3043877431_3849e33b30_b.jpg

[Mark1]

One lil detail..... add some spent casings. The emptys I think add more attitute to the shots than new ones you "dropped".

[Jon Foster]

Cool shots guys.

Jon.

[Stickman]

They can be so long, that it would create a ton of dead space. Any ideas on how I could approach this? I know I'll be using stuff like knives, lights, and ammo as filler stuff.

Any direction you all can give would be appreciated.


It all depends on if you dislike the idea of unused space in your images. The less there is in the image, the more the focus is on the weapon. If the sole goal is to show the weapon itself, a basic white background works out well, and isn't much different than what you are already doing.

Shown below is one of mine, and the intent of the image is to keep it very basic. To my eye, the dead space isn't offensive.

http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Daniel%20Defense%20II/IMG_0594%201028%20Stick.jpg

[Stickman]

If you are looking to clear out dead space in the picture, you can do that easily without cluttering up the picture, or using loads of props. Shown below, the minimal portion of the weapon that is not included does not detract from the image, or at least it doesn't to my eye.


http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Daniel%20Defense%20II/IMG_0361%201028%20Stick.jpg

[Farva187]

very nice i like how that works out.

[Reverend]

Thanks, Stickman. That's exactly the kind of direction I needed!

Too bad none of my guns have bipods. :(

[James Salenger]

The 45% angle is great for art but if you are documenting for record I would suggest
more horizontal so as to capture more detail.
This is just my opinion.

[Stickman]

Thanks, Stickman. That's exactly the kind of direction I needed!

Too bad none of my guns have bipods. :(



You don't need a bipod, think outside the box and be creative. :)

[Mark1]

The 45% angle is great for art but if you are documenting for record I would suggest
more horizontal so as to capture more detail.
This is just my opinion.


How is a horizontal position more detailed?

[Stickman]

The 45% angle is great for art but if you are documenting for record I would suggest
more horizontal so as to capture more detail.
This is just my opinion.



I agree, and would add that if you are documenting, you would probably want close ups of certain areas, as well as a full frame horizontal shot.


I think he meant the first of the above shots gives a better overall view than the partial shot like I posted in my second picture.