Photography Testing

[AndyMcK]

Hello all!

 

I recently started to dabble with photography on my nihonto and could use tips. In the link are few shots on two blades, early shinto kodachi and shinto katana. I tried to get the focus on the details, how does it look for the more trained eye? Any tips on it?

 

Antti

 

http://s1382.photobucket.com/user/anttimakinen/library/Photography%20testing

[ggil]

not a trained eye here by any means, but using the scientific method and conducting experiments with different angles, light sources, and relative camera angles may provide unexpected/positive results.  You probably are already doing this, I imagine, by the quality of what you have so far.    

 

To me your pictures are very nice.  They look semi-professional.  clear hada and nie, with no crazy glare.  Have you any experience with photography?  I have none, but would love to take a class someday.  What is the light source, camera type, setting, and other particulars of the current photos?

 

-Grant

[AndyMcK]

Hello Grant,

 

Just taken photos to my own pleasure, never had any actual courses or training, just figuring things out by myself.

 

These photos were taken with Nikon D3100, about 1,2 metres distance with 70-200 objective at max andmanual focus, ISO 800 and shutter at f/5.6.

 

Light is from 40W regular lightbulb approximately 90 degrees angle from the camera at same distance with the blade and maybe 40 degree angle towards the blade. Background is black satin cloth to absorb some of the light. I focused the objective to a such angle that it didnt get too much glare from the light.

 

Like you said, now in the process of testing different angles of light and also combining regular 40w bulb and led-light etc. so probably have to figure a way to get the lights fixed to a stable mounting that is easily rotated and elevated etc.

 

Also have to try 300x objective as soon as I can manage setting up the distance to the target, my missus doesn't really like me invading the living room with all the blades and camera stuff. Women, go figure.

 

Antti

[Kronos]

Maybe try longer exposure and less ISO.

[AndyMcK]

Thank you James, still trying to figure out how to balance the colours, tried longer exposure and less iso and ended up with yellowish photos.

 

Antti

[ROKUJURO]

If my memory still serves, I think I remember a thread on NIHONTO photography here on NMB by a professional. Brian will know.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Antti, here are a couple of Web-sites to get you started: http://www.arscives.com/bladesign/swordphotography.htm, http://www.knifenetwork.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=a30df46f3bd23b77365a104b87ec1563&daysprune=-1&f=26, http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent/

 

Ken

 

[AndyMcK]

Thank you Ken!

 

Antti

[Kronos]

If my memory still serves, I think I remember a thread on NIHONTO photography here on NMB by a professional. Brian will know.

 

Was it by RKG? I know he does exceptional photo's and I remember a thread by him on it ages ago.

[Kronos]

Thank you James, still trying to figure out how to balance the colours, tried longer exposure and less iso and ended up with yellowish photos.

 

Antti

 

Here's a good explanation of Exposure, aperture and ISO: http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-exposure.htm

 

I think the yellow may be due to the white balance. Theoretically the idea would be to have 5.6f stop (depends on the lens as each has a preferable f stop that provides the sharpest images) a relatively low ISO to avoid noise and low light so all light can be targeted better and there's no scattering and reflections. The longer exposure counters the low light levels but also brings out more details and makes it more vibrant if you think of astrophotography.  It's rather complicated but that's one of a few things that I believe need to be done to get the type of images you see on the high end dealers websites.

 

But your 3rd image in particular is very good and just needs experimentation with different light.

[AndyMcK]

Thank you!

 

Off to experiment I go.

 

Antti

[Brian]

Check the articles section for a link to Rich's article.

[AndyMcK]

Thank you Brian!

 

Antti