Sorry about the previous blank post.
The problem with that solution is there is no way to set it up to shoot
straight down, you always have to photograph things from an angle.
I thought about making a light tent. I have made them in the past, but
at $33 including shipping it was cheaper to buy it off eBay than to
gather the materials and make one myself.
I have been thinking of making a glass top table to put it on so I could
light it from underneath as well (eliminates all shadows), but then
thought I bet my light box (for viewing slides) will fit inside. Haven't
tried it yet but it should work. Actually the light box inside may
produce enough light bouncing off the top and sides so I would not need
additional lighting. Or if that won't work I can set the tent on the
light box. I shall try it "real soon now".
BTW, there is a lot wrong with the knife photo, and it took three tries
to get it that good. I do not sell much on eBay myself, but I do
every-so-often want to photograph small shiny stuff and the light tent
will be used often enough to justify its purchase. As I said above it
only cost me $33, plus $11 for two clamp lights from Wal-Mart, and a
couple of 75 watt light bulbs is a huge investment of $45 compared to
the $150 tripod, $70 each pair of light stands, and the $800 camera I am
using. (Actually, I bought the camera and light stands used and only
have $230 or so in them, but I was trying to make a point).
For those who may be interested, serious professional jewelry
photographers use a vertical cylindrical light tent with a narrow slit
on one side that causes those glinting highlights you see in photos in
jewelry catalogs.
graywolf
http://www.graywolfphoto.com
"Idiot Proof" <==> "Expert Proof"
-----------------------------------
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
In a message dated 11/14/2005 10:50:27 PM Pacific Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Addendum:
Of course one of the points Bill makes with his rather sarcastic reply
is that doing it right in the camera saves a lot of time in Photoshop.
Another point, is that while my attempts needed some PS'ing, I did know
why they needed PS'ing. Folks who only know how to use their camera on
"auto" often have no clue as to why they have to do all that PS'ing of
their images. After about two more tries I think that all I will need to
do to an eBay image in photoshop is reduce the size and save for web. In
other words fine tuning. Also, I knew what I needed to do it right,
before I started. I just did not have the money for it.
graywolf
=========
The knife looks fine.
I take my ebay shots out of doors on a table on the back patio by natural
light. Of course, overcast days create a bit of a problem (got some stuff to sell
now and take pictures of now when it tends to be overcast). A light tent
would be nice, but not totally necessary. I have thought of constructing my own
like the one here.
http://bermangraphics.com/coolpix/jewelryphoto.htm
Because I don't sell enough on ebay often enough to really want to buy one.
Good pictures DO make a difference in selling, though.
Marnie aka Doe
