Photo tent!

[rolicrafts]

Hi guys, I want to be able to take better photographs of the pens that i turn, either the flash is too much or not enough (I have a digital camera only:(). How do you guys manage to take such great photos, I hear you talking about the photo tents so could one (or more) of you try to explain what they are and how to make one please:D.

Ron.

[Louis]

Check this link:

http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/light_box_light_tent

[bohdon]

Here's a knockdown one you can make in under 5 minutes.

http://penturnersparadise.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=399&highlight=photo+tent

Use lots of light, I use a 4MP digital cybershot. Get in real close, use that macro button thing, lots of light.....oh yea & make sure it's not too dark either. No flash, you're better off to overexpose.

I use the manual setting on my camera, I have no idea what I'm doing I just set it so that the whole picture is as bright as possible but still be able to see the whole pen. If you get too bright parts of the pen will not show in the pic...that is my guideline, I crank the exposure until the pen starts to disappear (usually the nib first) then I bring it back until everything is visible.

Lots of light & overexpose is the way I see it. The dark pictures do nothing for a pen. Keep an eye on the shadows under the pen too, try to get rid of them with more light or different angles.

Oh yea I know nothing about photography but I do know there are far too many dark pictures. It's just hard to get a good look at the pen.

[rolicrafts]

Thanks Louis, thats brilliant I know what i will be doing tomorrow.
Ron.