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  1. #1
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    Default Photography and Straight Razors

    This thread is to try and sum up some best practices when photographing your razors.

    The SRP community has a few photographers in its ranks and I hope they can contribute their knowledge.

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    timberrr59 (10-23-2008)

  3. #2
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    Using a light box

    I bought a cheap light box to try and get a consistent background and lighting. Unfortunately one of the bulbs burned out and I had to use an overhead incandescent (regular light bulb) light.

    This cast an orange shade to all of my pictures. The first photo is unedited.

    The second photo was edited with the photo editor 'The Gimp.' Although there is an orange cast, I know that the walls are supposed to be white. So I went to the option
    Colors -> Levels;
    and chose 'Pick White Point.' I selected the whitest point on the white wall. Much better, although the blue background is a bit rich.

    What do you guys think?
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  4. #3
    Sass Monster LilithParker's Avatar
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    1. Use natural light when possible.

    2. Use a tripod or other stable object to steady the camera.

    3. Be aware of your camera's minimum focal length and/or its autofocus habits. My point-and-shoot wants to focus on whatever's three feet away rather than what I'm holding right in front of it. My SLR won't let me get any closer than 8" from my subject. Solution: back up, shoot the object so it's in focus, and then crop and enlarge the picture with your photo editing software.

    4. Be kind to dial-up users. Attach rather than embed photos in posts, and keep file size reasonable.

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    claytor (10-22-2008), Iron_Beard (06-02-2008), timberrr59 (10-23-2008)

  6. #4
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    Many digital cameras have a macro-function, usually designated by a flower symbol: http://www.hp.com/united-states/cons...faq_11_180.jpg
    It 's no miracle button, but it does allow for a nearer focal point to some extent.
    This kind of pictures usually have very little focal depth, so if your a bit off with your focal point, significant blurring is immanent. Plenty of light increases depth of focus (simply put). If your flash engages automatically, then the lighting is poor. Avoid flashing.
    Most auto-focus algorithms on consumer cameras aim for the middle of the image. Many cameras have trouble to focus on a glossy surface. Here's a good trick to avoid focal problems with many cameras: Place a small piece of non-reflective paper with a bit of text or other sharp graphic flat against the blade of the razor. Aim your camera at that focal aid. Push the button of your camera halfway and keep it there. Your camera's auto-focus function will engage, but it won't shoot a picture yet (on most cameras). Keep it steady from here on, preferably with a tripod or placed on a solid surface. Then remove the focal aid, and press fully down on the button.

    Best regards,

    Bart.

  7. #5
    Senior Member blabbermouth ChrisL's Avatar
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    I can't do without my macro function on my digital camera. I just recently got a light box and I find the pics are much better than I could have done before. Here are a few examples of unaltered photos in the light box:

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    Chris L
    "Blues fallin' down like hail." Robert Johnson
    "Aw, Pretty Boy, can't you show me nuthin but surrender?" Patti Smith

  8. #6
    French Toast Please! sicboater's Avatar
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    The single best thing any digital photographer can do is learn about setting white balance with their camera. This will alleviate the need for any color correction when done properly. If you are going to use software to color correct, it is best to learn about histograms and how to use them. They make it a little easier to hit the right white point while maintaining good mid tones. Just my $.02!

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  10. #7
    Senior Member blabbermouth ChrisL's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sicboater View Post
    The single best thing any digital photographer can do is learn about setting white balance with their camera. This will alleviate the need for any color correction when done properly. If you are going to use software to color correct, it is best to learn about histograms and how to use them. They make it a little easier to hit the right white point while maintaining good mid tones. Just my $.02!
    Thanks for the tip. I've got to check into that. In the previous pics, the backdrop is white, but as you can see, it shows gray. Time to get out the owners manual!

    Chris L
    "Blues fallin' down like hail." Robert Johnson
    "Aw, Pretty Boy, can't you show me nuthin but surrender?" Patti Smith

  11. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by sicboater View Post
    The single best thing any digital photographer can do is learn about setting white balance with their camera. This will alleviate the need for any color correction when done properly. If you are going to use software to color correct, it is best to learn about histograms and how to use them. They make it a little easier to hit the right white point while maintaining good mid tones. Just my $.02!
    I was catching up on how to set the white balance on my camera. Hopefully tonight there will be a post showing before/after pictures.

  12. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chrisl View Post
    I can't do without my macro function on my digital camera. I just recently got a light box and I find the pics are much better than I could have done before. Here are a few examples of unaltered photos in the light box:
    Chris L
    Awesome pictures of awesome razors.

    Wow!



    Bart.
    Last edited by Bart; 06-02-2008 at 10:41 PM.

  13. #10
    Member Iron_Beard's Avatar
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    Thumbs up Need to make this thread sticky

    I'm guessing that this thread will need to be made sticky before it's done. There are way too many times people need to show images in these forums.

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