Photography without a light tent

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mattgatten

Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Messages
28
Location
St. Louis (Metro East), MO, USA.
Just curious. Are there any folks here who actually shoot their pens without a light tent? Post a few images and show me what you got.

I prefer natural light for a lot of my shooting, however, some things benefit from a light tent or, at the least, a seamless background.

Thanks,
Matt
 
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I have a light tent, but I prefer to photograph outdoors to capture the shine from a nice CA finish, very hard to get the same result in a light tent![8D]

CHURCHCLOSED.jpg
 
i dont have a light tent or lamps to go with it unfortunately so i have to rely on daylight, problem is its not very controllable or easily repeatable. i do believe however you can get good shots even with a compact and daylight coming through a window acting as a big lamp essentially.

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How can you photograph outside Mark, it always rains in Scotland:D[}:)];)
But you are right, choose a cloudy but bright day and they can look just as impressive.

Originally posted by ligget

I have a light tent, but I prefer to photograph outdoors to capture the shine from a nice CA finish, very hard to get the same result in a light tent![8D]

CHURCHCLOSED.jpg
 
Was having a good look at all the above photos and was trying to decide whether you were all skiting or just cheapskates. Then my generous nature took hold and I've come to the conclusion that you are all just bloody good photographers!!:):):D:D[:X]
 
i'd love a light tent, i would be able to replicate the the shot above anytime of the day regardless of what the weather is doing outside. problem is it will have to join a long list of other wants, namely a drill press that drills straight.
 
Great photos of your pens. give me a few tips.
I have been using a light tent up to now. As you said now that the rain has stopped for a day or two i tried outside pictures. I can't get my picture quality as good as shown here.
I am using a tripod, macro and setting the timer, nothing has came out very good. Now i am thinking that i need to try different settings with the white balance???????
Someone throw a drowing man a rope please.
[:eek:)]
 
i would advice to use daylight coming in from a window, essentially no different to using a lamp. soft bright light, not direct sunlight.

if the sun is to harsh move it further away from the window or put white gauze between the sun and your pen.

reflect the light back with a white card to fill in the shadows. try reflective silver or gold to see if you prefer.

the problem with taking shots outside is it becomes a lot more uncontrollable, you could use gauze as before between the sun and pen to soften the light and a refelctor.

you can also use a tent
 
The way I done the Churchill above was not difficult, no trying to work out depth of field, white balance, shutter speed etc, thats too bollocks difficult for me![V]

All I done was put my pen ontop of the coloured card outside in the shade, if there is no shade suitable then put your body inbetween the pen and the sun, this gives you a little shadow to work with.

Camera onto manual setting, then micro, no tripod, click = lovely picture![^]:D
 
Thanks i will have a go, guess i was looking to deep at how your photos look good. I think i need new glasses that might help with the focusing part. With the quality of the photos it looks as if there was a lot of setting up. As some of us know too much sun light in Scotland is somthing we do not complain about.:)
 
Originally posted by Celt40

Thanks i will have a go, guess i was looking to deep at how your photos look good. I think i need new glasses that might help with the focusing part. With the quality of the photos it looks as if there was a lot of setting up. As some of us know too much sun light in Scotland is somthing we do not complain about.:)

Dermot for good pictures a cloudy day is preferred, so Scotland is near perfect![8D]:D
 
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