Photographing Nihonto...2

[Leroy]

Hello everybody....

 

I have been trying (and failing) to take better pictures of my swords.

 

What would you all suggest for lighting? Can you make 2 suggestion?

 

For example---

 

1) parts I could pick up from a Home Depot

2) More specific items like softboxes and what not.

 

I'm looking for specific types of lights, wattage...

 

I would like to start selling off some of my pieces and need to be able to photograph them to show more details.

 

Thanks in advance eveyone

 

-Leroy

[Curran]

Leroy,

 

Search the archives of this board or the message board for articles on photography by Darcy or Richard George. Those two know volumes more about it than most of us.

[Leroy]

...Darcy's "tutorial" on photographing (great info by the way). I'm having a hard time finding the lights. In his article, he mentiond "narrow spot hallogens." I can find bulbs, but the lamps are another story. I have not found anything satisfactory yet.

 

I was just wondering if anyone here had any suggestions on lighting.

 

Thanks,

Leroy

[Ed]

Try good ole E-Bay, they offer pages and pages of lighting equipment.

 

http://photography.search.ebay.com/lighting_Cameras-Photo_W0QQfromZR34QQfrtsZ50QQsacatZ625

[Henry Wilson]

There is also and article around on scanning swords. I can't find it but it seems easier and cheaper

 

Sorry found it

 

http://militaria.co.za/nihontomessageboard/viewtopic.php?t=297&highlight=scan

 

Fourth message down under Rich T, posted by Nicolas Rudaz. Thanks again Nicolas

[Darcy]

The scanner method is going to give you far more reliable results that you can reproduce with minimal variation than doing photography will. Also, it is easier and cheaper to build/go that route than it is the photographic route. Lastly you will get higher resolution with the scanner method.

 

I think the photographic method can give a better and more natural feeling than the scanner will, but from a study point of view that doesn't mean a whole lot.

 

Anyway, unless you want to really devote a serious amount of time and effort, I'd highly recommend the scanner method.