Re: Pick a camera
Another thought on this employer buying camera thing. I do product photography as part of my job at work. I use my own camera and lenses. I did not have a modern flash for my DSLR and needed one for an upcoming event shoot. (The governor of Nebraska had chosen to visit our company's booth at a huge agricultural show and I wanted to make it a photo op for our company.) The boss bought me a nice top end Metz and he said it was because I use my own camera. You might consider making them a proposal for a piece of equipment if you save them the money of buying the camera. It is worth it to me to be able to use equipment that I am very familiar with. (Some people may feel strongly about keeping the two completely separate, but my situation works very well for my employer and me). Darren Addy Kearney, Nebraska On 1/9/12, David Parsons parsons.da...@gmail.com wrote: If you've never lit anything before, get Light: Science and Magic. It's required reading. It's also a good idea to go through www.strobist.com Lighting 101 and 102. It will also help you understand how to light. Any camera will work, so you might as well use what you are comfortable with. You'll be on manual all the time anyway. Personally, I would go with studio strobes that you can use with appropriate modifiers. Softboxes, snoots, etc. On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 7:48 PM, Collin Brendemuehl coll...@brendemuehl.net wrote: I'm starting a new job this week. It will entail both photography and web development. The photography will entail doing hundreds/thousands of internal engine and transmission components and indexing them for web display and later ecommerce. Parts will be polished and shiny. I will need to picture each variation of each part, noting where the oiling holes are located, etc. It's a new operation and my task includes choosing the camera lighting. Here's my thought: 1. Cool lighting -- two fluorescent lights for a soft even coverage. 2. A camera with built-in HDR. I'm going to do some experimenting with the in-camera HDR tomorrow on a still object with side lighting, just to see what HDR will produce. Of course either a K5 or K7 would be ideal. But I'll have to look @ all makes, just to be fair to the employer. Any input/thoughts on this is appreciated. Tx. Sincerely, Collin Brendemuehl He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose -- Jim Elliott -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- David Parsons Photography http://www.davidparsonsphoto.com Aloha Photographer Photoblog http://alohaphotog.blogspot.com/ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Pick a camera
When I first got on PDML (back before the flood) I asked about phto'ing shiny stuff as I had to photo chocolate chips... little did I know I was shooting them in the packages til I got em. Little crinkly sacks of glare - the solution was to put polarizers on the light sources on two lights at 45 degree angles and a polarizer on the lens, too. Can't remember the details - didn't a light box -the packages were on shelves - it was a kind of which one would you reach for questionnaire .. not anything too fancy, just had to be precise. I liked the money but hated the work :-) ann On 1/10/2012 08:15, Darren Addy wrote: Another thought on this employer buying camera thing. I do product photography as part of my job at work. I use my own camera and lenses. I did not have a modern flash for my DSLR and needed one for an upcoming event shoot. (The governor of Nebraska had chosen to visit our company's booth at a huge agricultural show and I wanted to make it a photo op for our company.) The boss bought me a nice top end Metz and he said it was because I use my own camera. You might consider making them a proposal for a piece of equipment if you save them the money of buying the camera. It is worth it to me to be able to use equipment that I am very familiar with. (Some people may feel strongly about keeping the two completely separate, but my situation works very well for my employer and me). Darren Addy Kearney, Nebraska On 1/9/12, David Parsonsparsons.da...@gmail.com wrote: If you've never lit anything before, get Light: Science and Magic. It's required reading. It's also a good idea to go through www.strobist.com Lighting 101 and 102. It will also help you understand how to light. Any camera will work, so you might as well use what you are comfortable with. You'll be on manual all the time anyway. Personally, I would go with studio strobes that you can use with appropriate modifiers. Softboxes, snoots, etc. On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 7:48 PM, Collin Brendemuehl coll...@brendemuehl.net wrote: I'm starting a new job this week. It will entail both photography and web development. The photography will entail doing hundreds/thousands of internal engine and transmission components and indexing them for web display and later ecommerce. Parts will be polished and shiny. I will need to picture each variation of each part, noting where the oiling holes are located, etc. It's a new operation and my task includes choosing the camera lighting. Here's my thought: 1. Cool lighting -- two fluorescent lights for a soft even coverage. 2. A camera with built-in HDR. I'm going to do some experimenting with the in-camera HDR tomorrow on a still object with side lighting, just to see what HDR will produce. Of course either a K5 or K7 would be ideal. But I'll have to look @ all makes, just to be fair to the employer. Any input/thoughts on this is appreciated. Tx. Sincerely, Collin Brendemuehl He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose -- Jim Elliott -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- David Parsons Photography http://www.davidparsonsphoto.com Aloha Photographer Photoblog http://alohaphotog.blogspot.com/ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Pick a camera
Thanks for all the thoughts. Ann's thought polarizing the light source may come into play. Certainly a PL on the camera is a minimum. This will be my first career-class photo work since my studio effort in 1985. Next stop: Looking @ cameras and lenses. We'll start with used equipment. Sincerely, Collin Brendemuehl He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose -- Jim Elliott -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Pick a camera
These are the lights that I am requesting: http://mpex.com/interfit-super-coolite-5.html If the room were larger and better-ventilated, I'd just use shop lights. It seems these DSLRs will automatically compensate for any lighting tonality. And if not, PS and shooting raw covers a multitude of lighting sins. Sincerely, Collin Brendemuehl He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose -- Jim Elliott -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Pick a camera
Just a thought, will you need perspective correction for any images at all? Cheers Ecke 2012/1/10 Collin Brendemuehl coll...@brendemuehl.net: These are the lights that I am requesting: http://mpex.com/interfit-super-coolite-5.html If the room were larger and better-ventilated, I'd just use shop lights. It seems these DSLRs will automatically compensate for any lighting tonality. And if not, PS and shooting raw covers a multitude of lighting sins. Sincerely, Collin Brendemuehl He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose -- Jim Elliott -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Pick a camera
Very likely if they are parts for imports, like Audi or BMW. Shot normally they will appear to be overpriced, but with proper perspective correction the consumer will think he's getting a bargain. On Tue, Jan 10, 2012 at 10:44 AM, Underpaid N. Overpentaxed overpenta...@googlemail.com wrote: Just a thought, will you need perspective correction for any images at all? Cheers Ecke 2012/1/10 Collin Brendemuehl coll...@brendemuehl.net: These are the lights that I am requesting: http://mpex.com/interfit-super-coolite-5.html If the room were larger and better-ventilated, I'd just use shop lights. It seems these DSLRs will automatically compensate for any lighting tonality. And if not, PS and shooting raw covers a multitude of lighting sins. Sincerely, Collin Brendemuehl He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose -- Jim Elliott -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Pick a camera
I'd not rush the purchase of the polarized filter. According to the Light book, Ann's PL worked because plastics produce polarized reflections. But unless your polished and shiny metal parts are also painted, they will produce unpolarized reflections and so the polarizing filter will be useless to cut glare. [Pg 45, 3rd edition] With the money I just saved you, you could buy that book. :-) On Tue, Jan 10, 2012 at 10:31 AM, Collin Brendemuehl coll...@brendemuehl.net wrote: Thanks for all the thoughts. Ann's thought polarizing the light source may come into play. Certainly a PL on the camera is a minimum. This will be my first career-class photo work since my studio effort in 1985. Next stop: Looking @ cameras and lenses. We'll start with used equipment. Sincerely, Collin Brendemuehl He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose -- Jim Elliott -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Pick a camera
on 2012-01-10 08:38 Collin Brendemuehl wrote And if not, PS and shooting raw covers a multitude of lighting sins. i'd think you could handle that in LightRoom, though getting the lighting right up front would be most efficient, and that you'd want to stay out of Photoshop in order to keep the time per image down having done quite a bit of bulk scanning, and a bit of bulk copy photography (on top of a career in automating other processes) i've found it crucial to develop a process that reduces or eliminates rework -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Pick a camera
From: Collin Brendemuehl These are the lights that I am requesting: http://mpex.com/interfit-super-coolite-5.html If the room were larger and better-ventilated, I'd just use shop lights. It seems these DSLRs will automatically compensate for any lighting tonality. And if not, PS and shooting raw covers a multitude of lighting sins. Sincerely, Collin Brendemuehl Get you one of these do-hickeys to go with 'em. http://www.amazon.com/XPRO-Studio-Photography-Light-Tent/dp/B000BFYXGG They usually should have a front panel with a slit for the lens to poke through so you get a complete white surround. If it doesn't, get a piece of white foam core cut a hole to fit the lens put that across the opening. Shooting reflective metal, you don't light the metal; you light what's going to be reflected in the metal. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Pick a camera
No perspective control needed. Sincerely, Collin Brendemuehl He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose -- Jim Elliott -Original Message- From: Underpaid N. Overpentaxed [mailto:overpenta...@googlemail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 10:44 AM To: 'Pentax-Discuss Mail List' Subject: Re: Pick a camera Just a thought, will you need perspective correction for any images at all? Cheers Ecke 2012/1/10 Collin Brendemuehl coll...@brendemuehl.net: These are the lights that I am requesting: http://mpex.com/interfit-super-coolite-5.html If the room were larger and better-ventilated, I'd just use shop lights. It seems these DSLRs will automatically compensate for any lighting tonality. And if not, PS and shooting raw covers a multitude of lighting sins. Sincerely, Collin Brendemuehl He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose -- Jim Elliott -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Pick a camera
Agreed. And as one shooting expensive sheet film, getting it right the first time is always best. Sincerely, Collin Brendemuehl He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose -- Jim Elliott -Original Message- From: steve harley [mailto:p...@paper-ape.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 01:41 PM To: 'Pentax-Discuss Mail List' Subject: Re: Pick a camera on 2012-01-10 08:38 Collin Brendemuehl wrote And if not, PS and shooting raw covers a multitude of lighting sins. i'd think you could handle that in LightRoom, though getting the lighting right up front would be most efficient, and that you'd want to stay out of Photoshop in order to keep the time per image down having done quite a bit of bulk scanning, and a bit of bulk copy photography (on top of a career in automating other processes) i've found it crucial to develop a process that reduces or eliminates rework -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Pick a camera
I'm starting a new job this week. It will entail both photography and web development. The photography will entail doing hundreds/thousands of internal engine and transmission components and indexing them for web display and later ecommerce. Parts will be polished and shiny. I will need to picture each variation of each part, noting where the oiling holes are located, etc. It's a new operation and my task includes choosing the camera lighting. Here's my thought: 1. Cool lighting -- two fluorescent lights for a soft even coverage. 2. A camera with built-in HDR. I'm going to do some experimenting with the in-camera HDR tomorrow on a still object with side lighting, just to see what HDR will produce. Of course either a K5 or K7 would be ideal. But I'll have to look @ all makes, just to be fair to the employer. Any input/thoughts on this is appreciated. Tx. Sincerely, Collin Brendemuehl He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose -- Jim Elliott -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Pick a camera
Congrats on the new position! Couple of random thoughts... first, this book is highly recommended: http://books.google.com/books?id=XwKafyHW3NIClpg=PA119ots=elMk2IDh-ddq=best%20way%20to%20photograph%20polished%20metalpg=PA119#v=onepageq=best%20way%20to%20photograph%20polished%20metalf=false Secondly, highly polished metal can reflect everything including your light setup, camera, photographer... so you may want a large softbox for lighting (it will make indistict large reflections). You may even shoot though a small hole in a light tent (where everything around your lens is white). You may want to rig up something that suspends objects more or less invisibly (if light enough, such as with fishing line) so you can remove the shadow of the object by lifting it above your tabletop (or whatever). You may also want to experiment with a table top of curved plexiglass that can be lit from below (perhaps in addition to above). Don't really know a lot about how in-camera HDR really works, if it brings any advantages. Lit correctly, I'm not sure that your parts will really be a high dynamic range scene that will benefit, but then again they might. If thousands of photos/items are to be taken, I'm sure that your employer will want the fuss with each one to be kept to a minimum if they want the project live before the turn of the century. : ) If the end result is web only, any DSLR is probably more than capable. Your money may be better spent on lighting and set considerations. Darren Addy Kearney, Nebraska -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Pick a camera
On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 8:13 PM, Darren Addy pixelsmi...@gmail.com wrote: Congrats on the new position! Couple of random thoughts... first, this book is highly recommended: http://books.google.com/books?id=XwKafyHW3NIClpg=PA119ots=elMk2IDh-ddq=best%20way%20to%20photograph%20polished%20metalpg=PA119#v=onepageq=best%20way%20to%20photograph%20polished%20metalf=false Secondly, highly polished metal can reflect everything including your light setup, camera, photographer... so you may want a large softbox for lighting (it will make indistict large reflections). You may even shoot though a small hole in a light tent (where everything around your lens is white). You may want to rig up something that suspends objects more or less invisibly (if light enough, such as with fishing line) so you can remove the shadow of the object by lifting it above your tabletop (or whatever). You may also want to experiment with a table top of curved plexiglass that can be lit from below (perhaps in addition to above). Don't really know a lot about how in-camera HDR really works, if it brings any advantages. Lit correctly, I'm not sure that your parts will really be a high dynamic range scene that will benefit, but then again they might. If thousands of photos/items are to be taken, I'm sure that your employer will want the fuss with each one to be kept to a minimum if they want the project live before the turn of the century. : ) If the end result is web only, any DSLR is probably more than capable. Your money may be better spent on lighting and set considerations. Darren Addy Kearney, Nebraska I have to second everything that Darren has said, especially the book; it's brilliant. And my 2 cents on the HDR plan: forget it. (That's 1 cent per word.) A well-lit scene is a low dynamic range image. If you light engine parts with a softbox like Darren suggests you are removing shadows and minimizing specular (direct) reflections at once, so it's pretty-much the exact opposite of a scene that needs HDR techniques to cram into the dynamic range of the camera sensor. You'll be more likely to need/want to increase the contrast (eg pulling on the Blacks slider in Lightroom). I'd also consider LED light arrays rather than fluorescent lights as they are much cooler running and very flexible. Congrats landing what sounds like a really cool job. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Pick a camera
If you've never lit anything before, get Light: Science and Magic. It's required reading. It's also a good idea to go through www.strobist.com Lighting 101 and 102. It will also help you understand how to light. Any camera will work, so you might as well use what you are comfortable with. You'll be on manual all the time anyway. Personally, I would go with studio strobes that you can use with appropriate modifiers. Softboxes, snoots, etc. On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 7:48 PM, Collin Brendemuehl coll...@brendemuehl.net wrote: I'm starting a new job this week. It will entail both photography and web development. The photography will entail doing hundreds/thousands of internal engine and transmission components and indexing them for web display and later ecommerce. Parts will be polished and shiny. I will need to picture each variation of each part, noting where the oiling holes are located, etc. It's a new operation and my task includes choosing the camera lighting. Here's my thought: 1. Cool lighting -- two fluorescent lights for a soft even coverage. 2. A camera with built-in HDR. I'm going to do some experimenting with the in-camera HDR tomorrow on a still object with side lighting, just to see what HDR will produce. Of course either a K5 or K7 would be ideal. But I'll have to look @ all makes, just to be fair to the employer. Any input/thoughts on this is appreciated. Tx. Sincerely, Collin Brendemuehl He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose -- Jim Elliott -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- David Parsons Photography http://www.davidparsonsphoto.com Aloha Photographer Photoblog http://alohaphotog.blogspot.com/ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
