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Wm. Bates | all galleries >> A New Beginning...Picture A Day >> Click Here For September 2005 Photos > Shiloh Sharps Md 1874 09_03_05.jpg
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03-SEP-2005

Shiloh Sharps Md 1874 09_03_05.jpg

Yeah...I know...not another gun photo. Well I'm practicing this type of photography because it may lead to some well paying work. So please bear with me while I practice some still life product shots.

These rifles are your classic buffalo guns from the 1870's. They are the same type of rifle that Tom Selleck used and made famous in the movie "Quigley Down Under".

The Sharps is very powerful and made to be shot and accurately hit a target at a very long range.

The gun on the bottom I ordered custom made at the Shiloh Sharps http://www.shilohsharps.com/ factory in Big Timber, Montana. It took five years and one week to complete. It was well worth the wait.

Canon EOS 20D ,Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
1/125s f/16.0 at 35.0mm iso400 with Flash full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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John Crystal 09-Sep-2005 01:00
Hi Bill,

On long guns I always try to show the whole gun then use inserts to highlight details. If you look at the bottom Sharps you see it has much more life than the top one. A fine long gun has been compared to the shape and feel of a fine womans body (think Wanda) and should be lighted accordingly. The highlight along the barrel and on the grip define the curve and shape of the gun. Try positioning additional lights to add a highlight along the comb of the stock. Then add another light to add a second highlight along the top of the barrel. If there is engraving on the action add a small light to cross light it and bring out the detail.

I've used Photoflex strip lights for the long lines of the guns and small lights or even reflectors to bring out the detail. Keep up the good work.

John Crystal
Wm. Bates06-Sep-2005 03:59
David, there isn't a real advantage with 400ISO other than the flashes I use cycle quicker because they don't need to output as much light. The good part is with the 20D the noise level at 400 ISO really is so clean that you don't gain much going to 100 ISO if your exposure is right.
Guest 05-Sep-2005 17:05
I notice that you frequently use ISO 400 where the situation would easily allow ISO 100.
Is there a reason/advantage in this?

David
Troy Bertrand05-Sep-2005 15:53
I would say take seperate pics, one close-up of the receiver and one full shot. Your current pic misses both. Just a suggestion, always enjoy your photos.

SpeedyG
Guest 05-Sep-2005 03:01
Good luck Bill, I think they are fantastic, keep them coming !.
Rene Hales04-Sep-2005 14:44
There is something unsetteling with the component parts. I think the fact that each is a separate item leave the whole fragmented. I am not really all that good with arrangements, but I think I would play with some touching elements or bridging items. Sorry, I can't be more helpful. Keep moving them around. I think it may hinge on the knife and the lower right element. They need to be repositioned. Keep going, I think you will have some great images.--Rene
John Lester04-Sep-2005 14:32
Of course since these guns have very long barrels if you show the entire gun you will loose the detail of the stock and receiver. Bill, I remember Wanda making some kind of comment about the bottom gun. Something about how smart you were to buy and gun and wait five years for it.
John
Eric Hewis04-Sep-2005 08:24
'Quigley Down Under', one of my all time favourite films!
I have to agree with Steve, about the picture, it does look odd.
BTW What's the gadget at the bottom, it looks like a can opener, are you planning to recreate the 'Blazing Saddles' bean scene in one of your pictures
stevephoto04-Sep-2005 08:04
Well Bill, since you did say you were practicing: This is a good shot technically, good lighting. However, the crop leaves me unsettled. Not seeing the end of the gun barrel or the complete stock doesn't feel right. Maybe several shots, one showing the complete rifle and others with closeups of the different parts.