Taking photos of guitars - what do?

SquireJapan

Howdy ... so can anyone give me some advice on how to take professional photos of guitars?

I own a decent SLR, but only ever take photos of people and very very rarely use a flash. From the brief research I've done, it seems I'd need some proper lighting. I don't really want to spend money on this, but would quite like to have a go at "product" photography.

Purely for my own amusement, as to be honest, if I came to sell the things I'd want to do some more honest photoraphy (i.e. natural light to be clear on condition etc).

Anyone a guitar shutter bug?

World guitars even charge for this service I think? They have very nice photos either way

xmrchi

@Raymondlin is definately the man to speak to, his photos are something else, also @PVO_DAVE is a dab hand with the old camera

ThorpyFX

lighting isn't as bad as you think. i use neewer LED lighting (off camera, it adds a very nice diffused light to the scene. You can also change the temperature of the light. think for a guitar 2x these and you would have a good setup thats not too expensive. The lights and a white sheet anyway. oh and you must have a tripod for your camera too.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-Dimmable-Including-Panasonic-Camcorders/dp/B00QQ5RPG0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1431972138&sr=8-3&keywords=neewer

it needs a PS too. or for £59.99 you can get the one with inc li-ion battery.

Gassage

Where's that guy Jonathan that used to post here and was a photographer? He'd know.

ThorpyFX

Gassage said:

Where's that guy Jonathan that used to post here and was a photographer? He'd know.

knob

Philly_Q

@FelineGuitars does some good photos.

Sassafras

I always prefer outside shots of guitars with minimal reflection and a nice garden or lawn background.

TonyR

I tend to take my photographs in the conservatory, with the blinds shut on a sunny day as I prefer natural light.

mart

Sassafras said:

I always prefer outside shots of guitars with minimal reflection and a nice garden or lawn background.

Years ago I remember coming across a book of amazing photos of guitars taken outdoors - usually out in the wild - things like a Strat leaning up against a rock up on Dartmoor. No idea who the photographer was, or what the book was called, but would love to find a copy!

PVO_Dave

I posted something a while back on how I take black background pictures: http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/17151/taking-photos-of-your-guitars-black-background-technique/p1

Like these:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3951/15563388182_1c7b466c66_k_d.jpg

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8584/16356123182_25be87f23e_k_d.jpg

Since then, I bought some cheapo continuous studio lights from eBay, they cost about £35, makes taking photos like the above a lot easier (less shutter time, more even light). 

I also bought a cheap black studio backdrop to do some non wall hanger shots, like these:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7629/17119907872_9586d3d6ff_k_d.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7481/16054543517_bb59091ca0_k_d.jpg

All of the above requires post processing work, but you do get some great results

HTH, if you've got any questions, let me know. 

SquireJapan

Wow ... I'll have to have a look at getting something for the background. Amazing photos!

EdGrip

It's all about getting a mix of lighting and shadow which gives the subject shape - ideally nice diffuse lighting. In practice, usually this means putting your thing next to a big diffuse light source - like your french windows on an overcast day - and taking photos with a nice-but-not-distracting background. Your magnolia radiator, while not distracting, is not nice - and your flower bed is undoubtedly lovely, but distracting. A patterned carpet can be a good compromise, but it depends on the carpet. 

But yeah - have a play with near-a-window first before you start buying stuff. You'll be surprised at how versatile it can be. 

This is backlit with a flash with a blue gel, for that Terminator 2 look, bounced off a silver reflector to the right of the camera to pick up the edge of the guitar - and another flash in a 2'x2' softbox to the left of the camera. I think it looks like something from an 80s product catalogue. If I was doing it again I think I'd make it more shadowy and mysterious. 

 

SquireJapan

^ thanks for the tips. Also, was that taken in a car park?

EdGrip

My drive, so sort of.