Ray's Request - Photo Trickery

**Anorak Bob** · 13th February 2011, 08:13 PM

Ray G asked I would describe my photo taking process.

It could not be much more basic than it is. I have been using a 12 meg Nikon Coolpix L22 for the last 6 months. Prior to that it was a 6 meg Coolpix. Cheap as chips. The 12 cost 117 dollars at Big W.

The camera does all the work. I seldom use flash. If I can't hold the camera steadily I use a tripod. I have a Manfrotto Model 074 which is too big and too heavy for anything other than photos taken up high. It will extend to a height of about 2 metres.

The tripod used the most is a lightweight Manfrotto 190. This is an extremely versatile little tripod. Fully extended it reaches around 1.5 metres. I use a pistol grip ball head on the tripod along with Manfrotto quick release mounting plates. Both the head and the plates are real handy. With the QR plates the camera can be mounted and removed in about a second.

I also have a little Manfrotto 210B table top tripod. I used this for the Mitutoyo indicator photos earlier today.

All these tripods are left overs from my Nikon F2 days. Any tripod will do the job.

I use the self timer if I'm photographing something moving or if the light is too low.

The shed lighting is predominantly fluorescent.

The greatest thing influencing the photo is the background. I had bought a sheet of Masonite from Bunnies for 12 bucks. It was for something else but I found that it provided a neutral consistent background to my lathe photos. Far better than looking at a shaper covered with a bed sheet and a plastic barbeque cover in the background!
There's s..t everywhere in my shed. You lot don't need to see it.

Small items I usually shoot on the simple drill press table, Seems to work o.k.

The Mitutoyo photos were taken in a room with a north east facing window. There are venetians on the window affording some control over the external light. I used a sheet of white paper to reflect some of the light onto the rear of indicator because it was in shadow. Sometimes I will use a task lamp for a similar purpose in the shed.

The photo below was taken with the tailstock sitting on a dirty piece of insertion rubber I had been using to protect the lathe ways. The upturned part of the rubber sheet was resting against a paint tin. I only had to clear away a square foot on the bench to take the photo.

The only trickery involved is making sure the mess is hidden

Bob.

**RayG** · 13th February 2011, 10:39 PM

Hi Bob,

Whenever I take pictures in the shed, I always have problems with direct sunlight, too much glare.

What I see in your pictures is a nice soft uniform light..

If I took that picture, all you would see is glare reflected off the ways..

Anyway, my problem is a bit more basic I need to buy a new camera,
the only camera I've got at the moment is the one in the phone.

I'll check out the Nikon Coolpix.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

Regards
Ray

**Anorak Bob** · 13th February 2011, 11:14 PM

Maybe your ways are in better nick than mine.

Ray, any new digital camera is going to provide good results.

I have venetian blinds in the shed to cut out the glare. I could not work with either mill otherwise. They sit next to the window.

Bob.

**19brendan81** · 14th February 2011, 09:49 AM

I have the 6 megapixel coolpix myself. Bought it in 2006 in the US and its still trucking on. Ive taken it away many times on fishing, hunting, 4wding, dirtbiking and other trips and its hasnt had a thing go wrong with it...they are quite rugged and the battery life is still sensational.

I think I will have to get a tripod though, as in the shed I cant take a good photo with the flash (glare) and I cant hold it still enough to take one without. I find fresh welds particularly challenging to capture, unless I go outside on an overcast day and use the macro function.

Ray - I have a similar vintage Kodak EasyShare camera that I dont use anymore. It runs on AA batteries and gets through them pretty quick, so I bought the coolpix when I went overseas in 2006 so that I didnt need to worry about taking batteries with me (coolpix has internal batteries). I currently have it earmaked to go to vinnies - if you want it send me a PM and ill post it to you. Its in 100% working order and as new condition.

**RayG** · 14th February 2011, 12:20 PM

Hi Brendan,

Thanks for the offer of the Kodak, much appreciated, but I'll go with a new Coolpix. That sounds like it's what I'm after..

Regards
Ray

**Bryan** · 14th February 2011, 06:33 PM

Thanks for the info Bob. About half my photography problems have been solved by a tripod. The other half won't be solved till I get some decent natural lighting in the shed. Meaning from several sources and directions.

**Anorak Bob** · 14th February 2011, 11:15 PM

Bryan,

Nearly all of my photos taken in the shed are under fluorescent light. The cheapo Nikon does a great job at compensating for the artificial light. Imagine going back to the dark ages with a film camera and having to use filters to acheive the correct colour balance. We take it all for granted now.

How about some recent shots of the TOS.

Bob.

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