What's Your Secret To Getting Great Axe Photos?

[STRATDELUXER97]

Where and how do you guys get nice clear shots of your guitars...Tell me how you set up to make this happen...I love Curly's pictures,always detailed and very close up...Sure could use some tips? :wink:

John

 

[Artie]

Re: What's Your Secret To Getting Great Axe Photos?

Hey John; I think, like everything else, its the quality of the equipment. My digital is a cheapy that takes awful pictures. When I want something good, I use my Minolta, with a tripod, with a remote release.

The difference is significant.

 

[some_dude]

Re: What's Your Secret To Getting Great Axe Photos?

I like to shoot mine at an angle, usually from the bottom to the left of the bridge. I like it because it shows off the curves of a guitar.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: What's Your Secret To Getting Great Axe Photos?

I tried a remote release once....spent the night in jail...go figure!

Seriously, my hands are always a little shaky when taking pictures. Digital was a godsend for me. I usually have to take 5 pics to get one that is decent. Lighting is crutial as well...I usually get my best results outdoors or under natural light indoors. My new digital is 3.0 meta pixels.

 

[Norman_T]

Re: What's Your Secret To Getting Great Axe Photos?

Good camera one that can get in close (zoom function) and can be placed on a tripod with either a remote or time delay. But the most important thing is good lighting, whether indoors or outdoors.

Taking pictures outdoors has got to be the key and where you are (Florida) it should not be too much of a hassle. Doing it indoors (pardon the expression) would probably mean having to rely on flash or natural light coming through other lighting would throw a green or orange tint over it.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: What's Your Secret To Getting Great Axe Photos?

Thanks guys..I have a really nice FUJI 4.0 mp so I Know I have a good camera..It's more of how to get great pictures with a great camera that I'm wondering? Outside pictures are the best because of the bright sunlighting huh?

John

 

[Ez74]

Re: What's Your Secret To Getting Great Axe Photos?

i have a fuji also.... and i can get pretty decent pics. the lighting is really important

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: What's Your Secret To Getting Great Axe Photos?

Ok...More experimenting with my camera...

John

 

[Norman_T]

Re: What's Your Secret To Getting Great Axe Photos?

John,

If you are really having trouble - send over your guitars to me and I'll take pictures of it and send them back to you. Will keep your guitars and then start converting your guitars to play them the right (sic) way

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: What's Your Secret To Getting Great Axe Photos?

John,

If you are really having trouble - send over your guitars to me and I'll take pictures of it and send them back to you. Will keep your guitars and then start converting your guitars to play them the right (sic) way

Laughing out loud buddy.....LOL

Yeah............I'll send them all your way Norm! I got a great laugh out of your post..Thanks,I needed it also...

John

 

[sweet_lou]

Re: What's Your Secret To Getting Great Axe Photos?

Thanks guys..I have a really nice FUJI 4.0 mp so I Know I have a good camera..It's more of how to get great pictures with a great camera that I'm wondering? Outside pictures are the best because of the bright sunlighting huh?

John

Hey buddy I am a freelance photographer and I sell cameras so I can give you a few tips.
1. Outdoors you want to shot in the shade with no sun poking through or 1 hour before sunset or one hour after sunrise for that pro looking "golden light"
2. Indoors is a little harder because of the on camera flash try to shot at an angle so it doesn't kick back .
Zoom out so all the way and walk it in until you frame looks right. This will keep you farther away and the flash light will soften.
3. Use a tripod and the timer that you use to get into the picture by the time the time goes off the harmonics from your touch will be gone.
4. You could not use the flash and color corect. Some cameras have a preset white balance that can be set of floresant or incandesant lights.

 

[Norman_T]

Re: What's Your Secret To Getting Great Axe Photos?

I tried a remote release once....spent the night in jail...go figure!

Jeff,

One of these days you will just have to tell us about this - I could just imagine you twiddling with a bit of wire :wall: :laughing:

Norman

 

[brisk]

Re: What's Your Secret To Getting Great Axe Photos?

I am not an expert but I always use a tripod and set the camerca in a close-distance-shot mode.

 

[Gamera]

Re: What's Your Secret To Getting Great Axe Photos?

Lighting is key. Guitars have glossy finishes that reflect light in all sorts of cool ways. Just hold your guitar out in front of you once and spin it around slowly. You'll notice the color seems to change based on the light direction and contours of the guitar. You can make some really cool photos by using a main, diffused light source (so you don't get any light "hot spots" like a flash will give) placed somewhere in front of the guitar and lights on either side of the guitar. The side lights can even be colored (with gels or whatever you have lying around) to help accentuate contours and colors.

The surrounding is also important. Guitars don't usually look as good up against busy, detailed backgrounds. If you want the guitar to be the star of the picture keep the background simple. And be aware of any shadows the guitar casts. Placing a guitar against a white wall may make a good composition but once you use a flash, that guitar will likely leave a big shadow on the wall. Shadows can sometimes obscure details. Although on the other hand they can be used to enhance a composition too.

Don't be afraid to set-up the scene by setting up a backdrop or bringing in other lights. Any lights will do. It doesn't have to be fancy, expensive equipment. And while you're taking the pictures feel free to say things to your guitar like "Ooooh! Yeah, that's it! That's the cover right there, baby! You are soooo hot! C'mon baby, show it to me!" They seem to like that.

 

[Cowboy Dan!?]

Re: What's Your Secret To Getting Great Axe Photos?

i always take pictures of mine at cool angles. really shows off the guitar.

like this

and this

those look a lot better than a straight on view like this