Firearm Photographs

[ronecol]

Looking at an ad on EE is motivating me to post this. It's disappointing when photos of an item on EE don't show detail.

I don’t claim to be a photographer. I have, however, learned one thing about photographing firearms that I'll post here in case anyone is interested.

Poor detail is often because the gun is photographed on a white or light background. It’s natural to think a light background will show up the dark gun better but just the opposite is so. The reason being the camera’s aperture adjusts to the light background and the darker details of the gun don’t show up.

The examples below were taken under the exact same circumstance except for the different backgrounds.

Notice in the cropped and enlarged photo of the receivers in the 3rd and better photo the screws can be clearly seen to not be buggered and hard to tell on the other one.

For what it's worth....... Not trying to be critical just hoping it helps.

I should add - avoid using flash. It just creates reflections.

 

[FLHTCUI]

Great Tip, no need to apologize for pointing out a discovery.
Some of the Old Guys might not be as tech savvy as the others
Btw, Old Guys Rule.
Rob

 

[nitroxace]

Thanks for the background tip. I was just taking some photos to post and this is the exact situation I was running into. I also found in my situation that the flash was causing unnecessary shadows and over exposure so I just relied on the ambient light and it worked out quite well. Thanks again.

 

[new210/22]

You forgot to put your feet wearing crocks into the bottom of the frame.

 

[AdamRoby]

A starting point for many to learn is just to add pictures at all. So many EE ads are just text with no picture at all, saying to request pictures.
They must lose a ton of prospective buyers by not taking the time to post something. It could be they don't know how to, so I would recommend looking at the how-to's or FAQs.
For me, personally, I often don't know what I am looking for until I see it. Something catches my eye, then I look to see what it is, and how much it costs.

 

[headhunter2]

I have been doing firearm pictures for awhile and never clued into this. Thank you for posting.

 

[DGY]

Great tips!! One other one that can make a difference is natural day light, place your self between a large window and the item to be photographed(position yourself so you don’t create shadows) and that should make for the best pictures unless you have some kind of studio with some fancy gear lol!

 

[guntech]

Most don't consider the background and it is very important. A photo editing program is also required for cropping and exposure adjustments. Beyond the capabilities of many...

ads without photos are basically ignored...

 

[Weatherby Fan]

Gunsmith Gary Flach got me going on the red background for firearm pictures at home,

 

[Slamfire76239]

Gunsmith Gary Flach got me going on the red background for firearm pictures at home,

Wow that looks great!

 

[ronecol]

Most don't consider the background and it is very important. A photo editing program is also required for cropping and exposure adjustments. Beyond the capabilities of many...

ads without photos are basically ignored...

Totally agree. The description has importance for make, model, calibre, barrel length, bedded, original owner, NIB, L of P, unfired and hard facts so on. Terms such as excellent, near mint, good, beautiful, fine, great for its age, ect ect are subjective and mean little without good quality photos. IMHO.

Personally when I click on an ad that has no good photos I look no further.

 

[skwerl]

What ''tiks'' me is when a seller doesn't post any pics
then qualifies the add by threatening a negative feedback
if you ask for pictures but don't buy..

 

[track]

May I add that exterior photographs, with natural light, on sunny days are beneficial to producing great results..............just keep the sun behind the photographer and the sun on the subject.

 

[DGY]

What ''tiks'' me is when a seller doesn't post any pics
then qualifies the add by threatening a negative feedback
if you ask for pictures but don't buy..

Yes that drives me nuts! Or the line where it says photo hunter not to bother… well if you don’t want to send pictures just to send pictures just learn to post pictures or add a link to pictures!!

 

[Buck1950]

What bothers me most is how so many still use Photobucket . That 'program' puts a 'watermark' on pics, usually right where there are interesting features of the gun. I've been using Postimage .org for several years - AND they've Never 'Lost' any pics, unlike P-B.
As for cropping, lighting , etc. Windows Photos does well enough for most occasions.
And ads w/o pics are a waste. Would you want to 'email pics; to 84-ish interested parties? Or wait around for the seller to do so ?
JMO - YMMV

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

I like to take pics using natural light and without direct sunlight on the subject. I have editing apps at hand if needed.

 

[ronecol]

I like to take pics using natural light and without direct sunlight on the subject. I have editing apps at hand if needed.

Agree. I've done a couple of weddings and the best outside photos are taken in indirect sunlight. No shadows, no squinting.

 

[skwerl]

What bothers me most is how so many still use Photobucket . That 'program' puts a 'watermark' on pics, usually right where there are interesting features of the gun. I've been using Postimage .org for several years - AND they've Never 'Lost' any pics, unlike P-B.
As for cropping, lighting , etc. Windows Photos does well enough for most occasions.
And ads w/o pics are a waste. Would you want to 'email pics; to 84-ish interested parties? Or wait around for the seller to do so ?
JMO - YMMV

Xactly , why bother with pics that require another site .
Why not put up a couple pics where a perspective buyer
can determine if the item & condition are to their liking.

 

[bdb.hunting]

I definitely appreciate this post. Some very solid advice that I will be using .

I also agree photos are important in ads. (although I will be the first to admit I don't always post them)

 

[thymallus arcticus]

You forgot to put your feet wearing crocks into the bottom of the frame.

Maybe it is how many times I had to crop out my own crocs out of gun pictures, but this is the funniest thing I have read in some time. Thank you.

My pictures are marginal, so this thread is appreciated.