Smith and Wesson 1911

Critique please. Shot with my Rebel XT and stock lens.

Is the lens the reason these shots look very washed out and not vibrant?

For me, the reflective surface of the table all but ruins the shots with its pronounced glare. Especially #1. The second photo has the least glare but it's still there.

#1 Try adjusting the white balance. Shooting under tungsten is making it a little too warm. It is ruining that nice stainless steel. If you shot in RAW that is no problem.

#2 I know everyone on the gun forums takes their pictures with a pen through the trigger guard to prop it up a bit, but it looks a bit amateur. I like to prop up pistols with a small block (or anything else) hidden just behind the receiver.

I do A LOT of firearm photography.

Looks nice and new and I'd love one but ditto on what has been said

Yep, the pen really is distracting - try using a spare clip to prop it up, even though it may be visible it's stays with the theme.

Dan

I believe I had the white balance on auto...any ideas on what should I have it set at

Thanks guys

The correct white balance is around 3200.

Pictures look a little soft. Were you closer than the minimum focusing distance? Did you use a tripod? Your shutter speed is too slow for handholding.

Maybe stop down a bit farther to increase the depth of field/sharpeness?

A small silver reflector at camera left would have bounced some much needed light back into those dark shadows and added some shine and sparkle to those areas.

benji

How would you go about setting the white balance to 3200? I have a bunch of different modes, and then when I go to WB SHIFT/BKT it is just a grid with like B3 M2/+-0 and stuff like that?

Tried something new out

I don't like the shadows. Unless that effect is intentional (with the light on the other side of the pistol) try a muted fill flash.

OK the white balance looks good now. I always set my white balance in Adobe Camera Raw after the fact. I don't even know how to set it on my 5D.

Really consider getting rid of any kind of prop in the trigger guard. I am certain you can find something to prop the gun up with that will be hidden behind the receiver. Also add something interesting to the scene so it's not just a gun. Look at a few I did for inspiration:

I like the wood grips on that P7

Thanks that's my primary EDC.