should "how to photograph your work" have its complete dedicated section?

[nickao]

I would love to be able to take great pictures.

I think "how to photograph your work" should have its complete dedicated section, more than just a thread under general. This way as a festool user I can learn how to take pictures form people who know where I am coming from. I don't much care about taking pics of people, but my woodwork. I think this could be nice on this forum.

Is it worth me putting up a pole to see who would like a dedicated section on "how to take pictures of your work"?

I think under OFF-Topic this would be a really helpful section to those of us in this forum. I know I can go to a differnt forum, but I think it would be so much simpler to deal with the guys in this forum that have experience taking pictures of similar items and techniques.

I see "Linux, Open-Source, Alternative Software Discussions" has its own section and I think photography covers many more people that use this forum than that subject. Not to say that is not a good section. I just think photography is even more to do with what the people on this forum do or need information on.

What does everyone think, including you Matthew?

Nickao

 

[Fred West]

Nick, that is a GREAT idea and I too am all for it.  8) Fred

 

[Ned]

Fred, he was asking Matthew. 

I think that's a great idea, too, if anyone's asking.

Ned

 

[Fred West]

Ned, I actually realized that but was also letting Matthew know that I too loved the idea.  Fred

 

[nickao]

Fred, he was asking Matthew. 

I think that's a great idea, too, if anyone's asking.

Ned

Actually, I am asking EVERYONE and just specifically mentioned Matthew, This is a forum and unless you PM someone the posts are for everyone. I will re-word it, I thought that was a given.

Thanks for the yes vote Ned.

Nickao

 

[ericbuggeln]

Nick, I will double that; and maybe a how to take interior pics that actually do your job justice in crappy lighting.  I have yet to be able to do this.

 

[Dan Clark]

Nick,

I created a photo tutorial here: Photo Tutorial - Taking, Editing, and Posting Forum Images.  The purpose was to help people with the basics of taking, editing, downsizing (slightly different from editing), and uploading pics to FOG.    If you take a look, you'll see that there is a section there called "TAKING GOOD PHOTOS FOR FORUM UPLOAD".    That's the good news...

The bad news is that your intrepid author got too busy to finish that section.  I think your idea is GREAT, but I think it should be added to the Photo Tutorial.  In fact I like your idea so well that I changed the name of that section to "HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH YOUR WORK".   

If you like the idea, create a working thread to start it off.  When it's solid, I'll add a link to your thread and then it will be part of the tutorial.  Sound OK?

Regards,

Dan.

 

[poto]

I think this is a great idea - particularly as I am about to photograph a table I recently made. I have some recollection of reading an excellent post - I think from Eli - about lighting, shadows, etc. That sort of information would be really helpful in an easy-to-reference section. After all, my goal in life is to get two "Thumb's Up" from Dan... 

 

[Dan Clark]

I live to fulfill dreams! 

;D

Dan.

 

[nickao]

Of course Dan that sound great! If that info was under its own heading under off topics I would have seen it instead if asking about it. When you do a search some stuff comes up some doesn't. That info in the link should definitely be the beginning of the new designated area.

Nickao

 

[Fred West]

Dan, I have MANY unfulfilled dreams. What do I need to do to have you fulfill them for me?  ;D 8) Fred

 

[poto]

Fred - does this have to do with using your hands and getting that happy feeling again? 

 

[Fred West]

Poto, you have that same dream? ;D That is NOT what I need Dan to help me fulfill. 8) : Fred

 

[poto]

I'm relieved.

But not in that way... 

 

[Eli]

Thanks for the attaboy Poto. For what it's worth, there are many other highly skilled (observation and opinion is mine) photographers here. I for one am happy to (humbly?) offer what I can in such a forum. I can recommend some books or webpages with great lighting theory. There are basics, but ultimately the knowledge of lighting and photography is unique to the artist. Do it to learn it, and make what you like.

I don't think we need a poll, just keep talking about it, and when it gets to have several sub-topics, if there is enough interest, we can give it it's own section. Matthew has always addressed stuff like this as needed, so demonstrate a need.

-Take photos and post them with open request for critique.
-Take more photos and ask again.

That's all there is to it.  ;D ;D ;D

Ironically, I now live in Australia, where grips don't light, they're only Camera Support. Electricians are amazed when I adjust a flag.

 

[Bob Swenson]

Nickao- I would be happy to put my two cents in, what say you Johne and all the other
Shutter bugs ?

Eli, do gobos run wild down there.

Bob

 

[Eli]

I mounted gobo heads on all my c-stands.  ;D
I have quite a collection of gobo arms too.  ;D ;D

 

[Eli]

This one is basic and seems okay. Remember, if you can make women look really great in a picture, you can light anything. Bad light can make a natural beauty downright ugly.
http://video.about.com/desktopvideo/Lighting--Three-Simple-Setups.htm

I'll try and get at my box of lighting books and see if anything jumps out. Light is all around you every day. Find light you like and figure out how to copy it, or just use natural light. Nature does it pretty well, we just imitate.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Lighting is to photography as finishing is to woodworking. Even down to specific angles of view, looks great at this angle but you can really see the problems from that angle.

Another analogy is the Festool saw system and digital cameras. They've both made the mechanics much easier, no sawdust, no chemicals, but you still have to finish/light it.

I'm aways interested in learning more about both subjects. Imagine if johne (or Bob) photographed Bill's humidor. Stand back!

 

[Ned]

Lighting is to photography as finishing is to woodworking.

Except that the lighting happens at the beginning of the process and the finishing happens at the end.  :-\

It is true about the percentage of time and effort put into lighting and finishing.  Many here (Jerry Work in particular) have commented that the sawing and joinery take less time that the sanding and finishing.  For someone who wanted his hobby to be working with a router, that could be kind of annoying.

I don't know anyone who decides to take up photographic lighting as a hobby ("And then you take the picture, right?" "Nah.  Don't own a camera, I just play with lighting.").  I do know that I spend more time on lighting and "set design" than camera handling.  And probably should spend even more than I do.

Ned