What are some of your hints and tips for taking better pictures? Guitars are hard to photograph because there is very little relief in them as they are almost completely flat. I want to improve my pictures. The best way to take pictures is obviously outside, but if you don't have access to the sun what is the best way to take indoor pictures? Where should you put the lamp in relation to the camera and the guitar? I have a point and shoot camera so I don't expect to get professional quality pictures, although it does take very good pictures.

Hi bugo: there are some seriously good (and pro) photographers on this Forum. As well as tips I hope we are now going to be shown some of their work....

- C

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Photographing guitars is pretty hard due to their length and wanting to keep the entire guitar in the depth of field without the back ground distracting from the subject. I would think a contrasting back ground, like my guitar is white, I would use a black back ground set maybe 2-3' behind the subject and use a high F-stop like F18 if shooting lengthwise depending on my gear.

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Gary

Two examples of mine, obviously not of guitars, but of two different back ground choices. Totally blacked out and heavy Bokeh.

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Gary

I agree that guitars are very hard to photograph. Besides being flat, the darn things are frequently so reflective that it is very hard to get a shot without something weird ending up on the guitar. When I shoot outdoors, I try hard to do it on an overcast day - no direct sunlight, thus reducing both glare and shadows. I'm a long way from accomplished, but I spent several hours outdoors recently trying to get good insurance pics of my guitars.





Even on a cloudy day, with the high gloss finishes on some of my guitars, it is hard to shoot a guitar such that you can not only see detail but read what it says on the headstock.



Some days it works, some days it doesn't. At least with a digital camera you can take a LOT of different shots and hope you get some good ones.

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

Thanks for the advise. I'll wait for a cloudy day for my next photography session.

This is one of my better efforts......



The pic was shot with a Nikon Coolpix, on a tripod and using a remote shutter-release. Indirect bounce lighting from multiple angles yielded more realistic illumination than a flash (even a delayed fill flash) alone could provide. Basically I was aiming for a similar result to what the professionals who shoot the PR pics for Fender's Frontline catalog routinely produce.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

I like the brick back ground. Gives texture.

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Gary

Here is mine in B&W with a $150 camera, handheld, with packing paper as a back ground.

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Gary

Digital cameras have been a Godsend.
My only technical tip is - take 100 shots and choose one
Try different lighting and interesting compositions.











Thanks for the excuse to show my pics

Goodonya ....Mark.

A "Softbox" with good lighting and long exposure is always a safe bet. I miss my Canon 7D.

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Gary

Simple backdrop with color gels on back light... one main light with reflector...

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

That's an outstanding shot, Bill!



Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Very, very nice bill948