Thread: First Light Box Photoshoot!

I like the photos of the razor how about a photo of the light box. I need some ideas on building one. thanks

Originally Posted by rhensley

I like the photos of the razor how about a photo of the light box. I need some ideas on building one. thanks

There is a tutorial in the library I think it was....I will look and see if I can post a link

http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi..._Instructional

Originally Posted by prodigy

.....I was using a tripod but it was too constricting with getting the light reflections just right, so almost all were free handed....

You might need the tripod to make this work, but consider this: if you want
to keep everything in focus, especially in the "end-on" shots, you can
reduce the lens aperture (higher f-stop) and increase the exposure time,
and that will give you a greater depth of field.

Also, assuming that you have a zoom lens, if you want to increase the perspective, then use a wider angle lens setting. If you want to "flatten
everything out," then use more "zoom in" and move away from the
subject to keep the framing intact.

The lighting looks good. And is that a Zulu Gray stone?

Nice work!

Thanks for the picture tips. My girlfriend is the artsy crafts one that put it all together. It's pretty simple and cheap to make. We followed the library link on this site. I'm almost done with my second razor and I'm taking more pics tomorrow, I'll see if they don't turn out a little better! Thanks guys!! Oh by the way the stone is a shuobudani type 100 from jns (I love it).

Super job on the razor. I'm trying to do the pins as neatly as you have. I'm close, but yours look much better than mine.

The photos are terrific. Now I've got to either build or buy a lightbox. I've been using a close-up stand with my Canon T4i with a macro lens and have an attached light ring. It works well for coins that I sell on eBay, but not so hot for taking photos of razors. B&H in New York City has a large selection of lightboxes, I'll review them when I get a chance.
T

Very nice - crystal clear, which can really show off a razor - sometimes beauty marks and all - great shots and the razor looks excellent.

Originally Posted by Chevhead

My photos STINK!
I NEED to do better with the light box.
Heck I even got the LED light bulb and everything but they still are sub par...

I'm not sure if your using any post photography software. Being able to sharpen your pictures and change the lighting curves can make an ordinary picture a great one. google offers a free one. Picasa

Originally Posted by feltspanky

I'm not sure if your using any post photography software. Being able to sharpen your pictures and change the lighting curves can make an ordinary picture a great one. google offers a free one. Picasa

I do have editing software but that seems like cheating...

Originally Posted by Chevhead

I do have editing software but that seems like cheating...

Almost all pictures you see in print have been edited to some degree. It's no different than using crox, tape, or a pre-shave cream in your shaving or honing routine. You're just trying to improve the final product.

Just look at the pictures in the Shave Of The Day Thread. The ones that grab your attention and make you say "WOW" have some degree of photo editing software applied.

So I'm done with my second set of scales, and the razor is way off center. I guess I got really lucky on my first one because it was dead center first try. I've read all the information in the wiki, but I never seem to get them to move very far, if at all, when they are this far off. I don't really like the idea of removing scale material, and I don't think pinning it will move it enough to be straight. Should I try to heat then bend the scales to get the razor centered? Is it easier to fix before or after I pin it in place?