Photo test

[Bill in Buena Park]

I wanted to try to improve my pen photos a bit of just point&shoot, so I rigged up a PVC frame, hot glued a hardboard panel into the bottom, and some translucent fabric on the sides (as a diffuser). Got a couple different shades of suede fabric to drape down the back and across the bottom, and used two HF halogen lights on the sides. I'll need to add a tripod, 'cause I can see my hand shakes a bit, causing some blurring - but resulting photos enclosed below.

Appreciate any feedback on which of the pictures look better, and if there are any changes I should make (fabric color, pen placement, etc.)

Last photo is of the homemade rig. Made mostly from leftovers (already had the lights) - think about $15 total, and fabric was most of the cost at ~$10 for several pieces. Thanks for looking.

[Pappy]

The first photo, with the darker backgroud makes the pen stand out better. You might try some darker colors like wine or burgandy, or maybe a medium blue. They might bring out the non-wood parts better.

[chopnhack]

That is a cool light box Bill, and +1 with Pappy, that pen looks mighty snazzy against that background!

[dbhost]

While I am not usually a me too kind of guy... I agree with Pappy, the first photo, the pen stands out better...

Yeah a good tripod really does help your photography. Too bad most of my photos these days are taken on the cell phone!

[Bill in Buena Park]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Have to agree, after looking again, darker background looks better. I do have burgundy, but can't get the red from overcompensating, looks WAY redder than its actual burgundy - probably the fault of my economy camera. I'll get the other fabrics and give those a try.

Here's the results from the burgundy.

[chopnhack]

And look at the tone difference in the wood

[LCHIEN]

As an alternative to DIY, you can buy these on eBay fairly cheap in all sizes, I think this vendor for example has 12, 16, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60" models.
All have wire frames that spring open and fold up and store flat. Many come with backdrops of different colors.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Julius-Studi...ht_1495wt_1298

Do a eBay search for photo tent light box softbox or similar terms. Some come with inexpensive photo light stands.

[Warren]

That's a well done light box.

If you're looking to sharpen up the shot, and do it cheaply, mount 1/4 20 (American market camera) thread in a block of wood with a clamp will hold the camera, frame the shot and use the timer. Anything to get the camera out of your hand. Not knowing the camera, if you have a mirror use the lock up to kill the vibration of the mirror. A flimsy tripod is almost as bad as hand holding when extended to any length. Also, tripods can be a pain in the rear to work with and around. For use with your light box I'd start with a good sized diameter dowel mounted vertically in a large, flat base. Use a spring clamp with a 1/4 stud brazed on the grip to hold the camera. This set up will allow you to infinitely adjust up and down the dowel and the stable base will let you adjust that aspect of the camera-subject relationship easily without having to trip over tripod legs.

If you want real versatility, mount a decent sized "ball head" to the stud. Decent size meaning something that will comfortably hold the camera without slipping out of your chosen alignment.

Also, consider moving one light twice as far from the light-box, as a start, when you are trying to model the subject. This relationship will give a bit of modeling (shadows) which will more clearly show the shape, grain and details. A dark background, velvet really sucks up light, will make the pen literally jump out of the monitor, if your looking to really spot light the subject. Any background that absorbs the light rather than reflecting it back will isolate the pen, therefore forcing the viewers eye to focus only on the pen, excluding the background. In any case, keep the background plain and non-reflective so as not to distract the eye.

It's what I used to do when I wasn't playing cops and robbers. I use to shoot for carvers and artists when they wanted to present photographs of their work for publication and competition prejudging for submission. Feel free to pm me with any questions.

Apologies for the length.

[Warren]

Addendum:

You can use different wattage bulbs instead of moving the fixture. Also, think about using a light directly overhead, sized to provide a bit of light to weaken the shadow from the clip. You want a bit of shadow for the modeling, but you also want to minimize the contrast unless you are going for a "high key" look.