How to photograph your collection

[THATGUY]

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[lockheed nl]

Nice photo's! Here are some of mine. Nothing special but I like it.

[tmca05]

I must admit, this trend is very useful and a lot of you guys are very artistic....nice job !!!!

[vonclump]

wow

Hi all i have to say i am very impressed with everybody's collected items in fact i find it quite a humbling experience just looking at your collection of militaria good luck to you all with your future collection cheers n beers T.J.

[tobe]

Let me up new photo for my blog.





Regards,

tobe
http://gerhard03.blog61.fc2.com/

[pantherv]

......

I bought a new light tent the other day. Pleased with my first attempt but would like to know if I'm setting the camera right. I took this pic using Aperture preferred setting at 1/60 F2.8

Cheers guys

[Roglebk]

Ok, what am I doing wrong? Is there a different methodology with EKs (bright frame and black center)? I've also tried at different angles. My camera is full auto so I can't set ISO. It automatically sets it to macro when close enough. If I increase the amount of light, I get a shiny black core.

I built myself a light box but still can't get good quality pics.

Hi Bernie, first use a darker background. For me that also loves Gold Orders a dark blue made from plush works best.

Set the camera to M (manual), if you do not have that set it to AV (Aperture priority mode), this way you can set the smallest Aperture possible (highest number, often F/8) for good depth of field (Focus depth).

In M need to set the shutter speed (In AV camera sets it for you.) Start aroud 1/20 which is where most compacts handle hand held shots without getting blurry. Got a tripod? Use slower/lower setting.

Since the core is black you also need to set the 'brightness evaluation' to 'center weighted' or 'spot'.

Start with lowest ISO possible (100?) and if the pics gets too dark crank it up one step at the time. Most compact makes decent macro shots without grainyness at least up to 400. When found the right ISO you can "fine tune" darkness with the shutter speed.

Get as close as possible! Fill the frame with the cross and see if the camera autofocus. You can also set the focus manually at closest possible and rock back and forth until cross is in focus.

A 1870 35mm and a 1914 27mm Meybauer Prinzen. 1870 is a bit more artistic with darker core and blurry background and the Meybauer is lighter to show the core details better.

[Roglebk]

hello,
here is the first try with my new box (see it in post Nr.1)

This is a lovely shot, i like the shallow depth of field and focus is on the Badge (main object) not on the Plane. If you want better focus depth do as Marc says and use smallest aperture possible (highest number).

[Roglebk]

Difference in dof (depth of field).

Below: small dof. ISO 400, aperture F/2 and shutter speed 1/20.

Above: larger dof. ISO 80, a F/8 and ss 1/40.

To me the small dof pic looks nicer with more depth in it. Small dof is no problem with a EK straight from the front, even a highly vaulted one like this. Other more 3 dimensional objects will need more dof (smaller aperture/higher F value).

[Roglebk]

Made a misstake in last post. Correct settings is:

Below: small dof. ISO 80, aperture F/2 and shutter speed 1/40.

Above: larger dof. ISO 400, a F/8 and ss 1/20.

[trompiche]

My contribution

[Robert P.]

Using the 'burn' tool (Photoshop Elements 5.0) to shadow the outside border. Gives the effect that the badge is under a light...

Robert

[juoneen]

Take photos on the darker side, then brighten them on photoshop, as the ones above are one step from finished. But you need photoshop to effect the brightening. If taken under too much light they cannot be edited to bring out details. Photos must be in focus from the start to get a good finished shot, so cameras must be secured to not move, and oh yes the lense or lenses must always be cleaned prior to shooting.

[Robert P.]

Yes, I took these photos on the dark side, then used photoshop to lighten them just a little, enhanced the image with unsharp mask, then burned the outside border. And, yes, a clean leans is a must. I need to upgrade to a higher megapixel camera to capture more of the fine details. I'm limited to 5.0.

Robert

[Robert P.]

To follow what you were saying I took a photo on the dark side, brightened it on photoshop, sharpened it and burned the edges...

IMO, I'm handicapped by too low a megapixel camera.

Robert