posted 01-02-2010 07:09 PM            

HI -

Here is my answer to the camera-need suggestions":

I am photographing complicated silver since years and the best results without a light box, different special lamps/shades and remote slave flashes I get with a cheap plastic container in translucent opal (they are available in different sizes from IKEA (chilling-sorry) for some Euros. Put a halogen lamp (with dimmer) on top and arrange your motiv. Put your camera on "Macro" and no flash.That is all. Day light (sun) is in most cases better but this depends on your taste and composition. To better understand what I want you to show I made "quick and dirty" pictures with no big arrangement or artificial staffage with handy silver. It took me less than 2 minutes.

1. The "light box"
   
2. The photo
   
3. The result

   
   This photo is only re-sized, cut and a little bit rotated - no photo shop etc.

You see the photo is clear, sharp, well lighted and has no reflection of the room, finger, camera lens or me in boxer shorts. Now you can experiment until you find the right technique for your silver.

Regards
Postnikov

posted 01-02-2010 11:20 PM            

That does look really easy. I have quite a few containers like that around the house. I do have a few questions:

1. where is the halogen lamp?
   
2. what kind is it?
   
3. did you take the shot angling the camera downward?

Thanks

Robert

posted 01-02-2010 11:58 PM            

It depends from what you want to take a photo and how. A spoon for instance need an other angel of the camera than a heavy ornated silver box or a highly polished (reflecting) cigarette case for instance. I do not angel the camera because I want plane photos - sometimes I put something under the object to elevate it or change the angel (sight) to underline some interesting detail etc. Just try several ways and you quickly will see what is important for you personally. Never forget to switch your camera to "Macro" and the highest resolution; when cutting you will have an extra zoom. The halogen lamp I use is a desk lamp - if it has a dimmer - the better - you can play with light.

Please do not ask for more details - I am a silver collector and not a photographer. Just try with this basic/primitive /cheap outfit and when it is working you can play with backgrounds etc. - but this is much more complicated and you need all the professional equipment I want to avoid. I prefer no backgrounds because for me the objects are important and not an artistic composition. It is in my opinion more elegant to have as only other medium the opal colour of the box- in this way I need no cloth or carton etc. - all things float or hover.

Learning by doing!

Regards
Postnikov