Imaging self education..... taking pictures of guns

On of my hobbies is photography, and Jessi's as well. Towards that end we regularly go on 'photo safari', traveling off to see what can be captured. Abandoned barns, the PA. RenFaire, people downtown, old churches.... wherever the adventure leads.

The photography has been a life long on-again-off-again pastime. Long ago I shot in 35mm, 220, and even in larger format. Landscape, people, extreme weather... whatever caught my eye.

From writing over at Carteach0, I began doing photo's to illustrate shooty topics and to make clear what my poor scribbling often left obscure. Over the years I have gotten fair at taking photos of technical bits, and people seem to appreciate the work. Even though I have held off writing anything there for months upon months, the site still gets a regular 15-20K visitors a month.... and I have to think the photo's are a big part of that.

To support that, and now that we have moved into a spacious home, I have purchased a new toy. For the grand sum of $15, a 'photo tent' that will allow me far better lighting control over small objects. Things like... say... small firearms and ammunition.

The rig collapses into a small package for transport, and looks for all the world like a seat cushion. Opened up, it makes a small 'cave' of translucent white material. Unfolded and placed upon a table, it becomes a mini light studio set with limited shadows and excellent control.

Now, I need to work on the background cloth, and build some light fixtures. For now, simple chicken house clamp on lights with high wattage bulbs, letting Photoshop deal with white balance for me. Soon enough, decent photo studio lighting with properly balanced lights and sturdy stands. It won't be long till our 'Art Room' is ablaze with a thousand watts of brilliant white light, and this little cube really begins to glow.

In learning about this form of photography, two test subjects lent themselves handsomely. Above, my old Ruger Bisley Super Blackhawk, with stocks I built out of hard maple many years ago. This pistol has been with me over two decades, and remains a faithful friend on the range and in the field.

Below... another enjoyment... good coffee. In this case, old fashioned Eight O'Clock brand, in the whole bean. This was the coffee my parents drank, and my childhood is formed of times demarcated by the smells of fresh ground Eight O'Clock coffee and bacon cooking for breakfast.



Remember folks.... life is good. Live it, and enjoy it.