69tele
Halfnote
Rockin the Rock !
Posts: 91
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Post by 69tele on Jan 26, 2020 8:35:52 GMT -5
Usually able to take decent pics of my axes with my SLR or Phone,,, but this Cadillac Green Gretsch seems to ellude me... its too dark too light ... Tried with flash , without flash , with a LED light at different angles.. any tips ? I'm guessing I need more natural light ? In my man cave I have around 20 LED spots 5 watts warm white. The LED lamp is a 5600k 176 LED lamp. Any tips ? This is the best one so far Attachments:
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Post by Leftee on Jan 26, 2020 8:37:59 GMT -5
I’ve had the toughest time getting images of green guitars.
The best thing I’ve found is to white-balance your camera for the scene.
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Post by LM on Jan 26, 2020 8:45:22 GMT -5
I've had trouble getting good pics of my copper Tele. It always comes out more orange than actual. I've heard natural lighting on a cloudy night works great. Since it's cloudy today, I may try it.
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69tele
Halfnote
Rockin the Rock !
Posts: 91
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Post by 69tele on Jan 26, 2020 8:53:51 GMT -5
I’ve had the toughest time getting images of green guitars. The best thing I’ve found is to white-balance your camera for the scene. thanks how would I do that ? is there a preferred setting ? |
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jan 26, 2020 8:56:30 GMT -5
Lots of ambient light, rather than light from point sources. Try this: bounce all your lights off the ceiling and and walls, and disable camera flash. Sometimes point-source lighting is good, along with shadows...but this applies best to non-metallic finishes and especially figured woods, like this:  Click to enlarge |
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69tele
Halfnote
Rockin the Rock !
Posts: 91
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Post by 69tele on Jan 26, 2020 9:04:45 GMT -5
Lots of ambient light, rather than light from point sources. Try this: bounce all your lights off the ceiling and and walls, and disable camera flash. Sometimes point-source lighting is good, along with shadows...but this applies best to non-metallic finishes and especially figured woods, like this: Click to enlarge cool will try that as well thanks |
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Post by Leftee on Jan 26, 2020 9:12:39 GMT -5
I’ve had the toughest time getting images of green guitars. The best thing I’ve found is to white-balance your camera for the scene. thanks how would I do that ? is there a preferred setting ? You should be able to set that up in your dslr. If it’s a Canon, I can guide you through that. |
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69tele
Halfnote
Rockin the Rock !
Posts: 91
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Post by 69tele on Jan 26, 2020 9:15:40 GMT -5
its a Canon 650D - Known as T4i in USA thanks :-)
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Post by stratcowboy on Jan 26, 2020 9:22:05 GMT -5
I use studio lighting bounced off umbrellas...never direct lighting. This Strat is Inca Silver, which actually has a touch of green in it. But, yes...bounced lighting may help you achieve what you're after.  |
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69tele
Halfnote
Rockin the Rock !
Posts: 91
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Post by 69tele on Jan 26, 2020 9:29:52 GMT -5
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69tele
Halfnote
Rockin the Rock !
Posts: 91
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Post by 69tele on Jan 26, 2020 10:09:34 GMT -5
I use studio lighting bounced off umbrellas...never direct lighting. This Strat is Inca Silver, which actually has a touch of green in it. But, yes...bounced lighting may help you achieve what you're after. cool photo by the way .. very clear ! |
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Post by Taildragger on Jan 26, 2020 11:38:50 GMT -5
I agree with a mix ambient and bounced light and ditching the flash. Any artificial light should come from multiple directions in order to avoid stark shadows (unless that's what is desired). And don't underestimate the significance of background color and texture choices which can also enhance or degrade the presentation. Playing with aperture, if your camera allows it, can soften the backdrop by reducing depth of field while leaving the instrument itself in sharper focus. Just don't open the lens up too much or parts of the guitar may also start to blur.
Also, when figured wood like flame maple is involved, optimal matching of camera angle with lighting angle will show this feature to its best advantage.
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Post by FlyonNylon on Jan 26, 2020 12:06:36 GMT -5
Agree with above, I think you'd be happier with your photos if the lighting were more even. On a cloudy day in early morning or later afternoon you can walk around your house til you find a spot with multiple even light sources and try there, or you can try a studio umbrella like the one on amazon, which takes up some space but would probably work, assuming the rest of the light in your space is even. You can also try a disc-style light reflector and aim your LED light at the disc which bounces light on the guitar. like this: light reflector
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69tele
Halfnote
Rockin the Rock !
Posts: 91
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Post by 69tele on Jan 26, 2020 13:08:21 GMT -5
seems like i have research and work to do ! thanks for all the comments, my studio is sunk into the garden and has no windows so its all artificial light.
May have to invest in those umbrellas and adjust settings as some of you have suggested.
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Post by leibniz on Jan 26, 2020 13:14:07 GMT -5
A couple strip lights and a reflector Attachments:
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Post by LesTele on Jan 26, 2020 14:06:12 GMT -5
I would agree. If there’s no natural lighting, it will depend on the off camera flash. Diffuse the flash - tissue paper will do if you don’t have diffuser attachment. I would probably recommend a slightly larger diameter reflector - 60cm is slightly too small. The white balance tip is also worth looking into. Your camera is probably set to auto white balance. Check the menu on your DSLR. It should be possible to set a white balance for a flash or to match the output of your LEDs. You could also try manipulating the image with basic photo editing software. That would be my solution for colour problems. You probably already have a programme or two on your computer. The camera probably came with RAW processing software. |
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Post by De ville on Jan 26, 2020 14:56:37 GMT -5
You could probably get by with natural light that is either direct, or diffused, but I think the trick is to have your light coming in at a low angle rather than over the guitar. In this photo of my 339 Pro, notice the small shadow cast on the chair, and the low angle of light that is portrayed?  |
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Post by De ville on Jan 26, 2020 15:00:31 GMT -5
In this photo the light level is low, the angle of light is low, and the light is diffused. Again, see the angle of light (shadow) cast on the table to the bottom right? This portrays the low angle of light. The darker blotches on the bottom end of the guitar are just tree reflections.
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Post by De ville on Jan 26, 2020 15:04:35 GMT -5
In this last photo, you will see that when the light is coming in at a high angle the metallic finish begins to reflect the light differently which is what I think you're trying to avoid. See how the shadow on the chair portrays the high angle of light?  |
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Post by Leftee on Jan 26, 2020 16:46:01 GMT -5
Here’s a link to instructions on how to set white balance on your model. support.usa.canon.com/kb/index?page=content&id=ART135431The other option, with regard to white balance, is to shoot RAW and use DPP to fix it in post. I’ll often do that if I run into a lighting situation that doesn’t give me time to fix it during shooting. |
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Post by RufusTeleStrat on Jan 26, 2020 17:49:11 GMT -5
Part of the issue is the source in line with the lens, I have found that bouncing off what is usually a white ceiling will create the effect desired. Additionally no flash on a cloudy day, or shooting during the golden hour will generate some good looks. Here is a shot of a former Tele of mine in green. as you can see compared to this indoor shot |
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Post by oldnjplayer on Jan 28, 2020 9:42:34 GMT -5
really just trying to see if I can get a pic on a post.
I took these photo more to have as documentation for insurance purposes, but I thought I would share it.
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Post by ScottB on Jan 28, 2020 11:59:39 GMT -5
There were shot with my old Canon 30D using diffused sun light through my kitchen curtains. LOL   |
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mroulier
Wholenote
Chemo'd and Radiated!
Posts: 155
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Post by mroulier on Jan 28, 2020 12:34:04 GMT -5
The best guitar pics I ever got were in a bedroom that had 2 skylights. As soon as the direct sun cleared, started snapping.
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Buster
Wholenote
Posts: 213
Formerly Known As: Buster Strings
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Post by Buster on Jan 28, 2020 13:16:19 GMT -5
Be sure to use a tripod. With the camera mounted on it, you can move the guitar as well as manipulate your lighting to get exactly what you are wanting.
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Post by archiestone on Jan 28, 2020 14:08:29 GMT -5
I think guitars look best shot outside on a sunny day in the shade (natural light.)
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gilbates
Quarternote
Posts: 27
Formerly Known As: S1WGeorge
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Post by gilbates on Jan 28, 2020 15:48:09 GMT -5
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Cassie Play
Halfnote
Everythings Malfunctioning Imperfectly.
Posts: 89
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Post by Cassie Play on Jan 28, 2020 15:49:41 GMT -5
I think guitars look best shot outside on a sunny day in the shade (natural light.) You beat me to it! I have trouble indoors as well.
That's a beautiful guitar 69tele . . .
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