what kind of cameras do you guys use?

M

Matto

Guest
I use a D40 with a few different Nikon lenses and flashes. It is a great camera and I have learned a lot using it for the past two years. I recently got to try a D300, man, what a camera.

This is from my most recent gecko shoot

rogerblackdesktop.jpg
 
M

Matto

Guest
Chibii,

The key to that shot is using the light to isolate the subject. To achieve that you must restrict the light from hitting the background. Here is the best set up shot I have from that shoot:

RogerBlack090725-68.jpg


Unfortunately you cannot see the flash in that shot (a Nikon SB600 with a radio trigger), it was on a light stand high and just outside the left side of the frame. You can however see that I used a piece of plexiglass suspended between two chairs with a large black cloth suspended behind. By using the plexiglass instead of an opaque background I could make sure that the only thing being lit by the flash was the subject. Only a little post processing was necessary to remove a couple scratches and smudges in the plexiglass.

I also restricted the beam of the flash using a grid spot to keep any light from splashing onto the background. Here is another example of the flash with the grid spot in another shoot:

HowieCoffeeTable-1.jpg


As you can see, the beam is much more narrow than usual. That setup was used for this shot:

HowieCoffeeTable-20.jpg


The last thing needed to make a nice solid black background is to use a relatively high shutter speed to that none of the ambient light makes it into the shot and the flash provides the only light. In fact, in the crestie shot I did not use a background at all, I just dimmed the lights in the room and used a shutter speed around 1/250.

Sorry this ended up so long-winded and technical, I'll be happy to provide any clarification if anyone needs.

Matt
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Chibii

A Bright Reptile
Messages
266
Location
Holland
Thanks Matt, this helps me a lot. I just got my camera some weeks ago so i am still experimenting.
 

STUTFL

New Member
Messages
1,284
Location
Between two terrariums
I have a ... I don't know, something cheap. :laugh4:

Mmm ... Kodak EasyShare C913. I think. :tongue3:

But then, I don't really take nice, "planned" pictures of the gecko; I just whip out the camera if he suddenly does something I want a photo of.

palmgeck.jpg


face.jpg


So quality's not much of an issue - though I'm sure if I actually tried I could get nice pictures out of this one. :D
 

_Sam_

New Member
Messages
133
Location
SE Michigan
I've got a few cameras around here, but the one I'm currently using is a Cannon Powershot A590 IS. Best cheap compact digital I've ever worked with.
 

Visit our friends

Top