Photographing Your Engines

[jwcnc1911]

Stan, will any light source outside the tent work or does it need to be certain types of lights?

[Tennessee Whiskey]

I'm all ears Stan. Back when I took up golf an old boy told me; " If you can't play good at least look good" might just apply here 

Whiskey

[sshire]

JW
Pretty much any light, except fluorescent (it's a non-contiguous spectrum, lacking a red component)
All lights should be the same type (I.e. sunlight, shade, incandescent, led, quartz halogen, etc. )Mixing light sources gives the camera's auto-color balance function fits.

Eric
Looking like you know what you're doing is critical. That's why I got the Bridgeport. 

[tel]

As one who gets, at best, somewhat .. erm... 'variable' results, I am watching with interest!

[redhunter350]

Hello Stan, I just found this and it is indeed most interesting, maybe If am missing something but it seems to read that there would be more instalments ? Are they posted under something else ?
Best John

[sshire]

No, that never happened. Sorry, but engines got in the way.
After "show season" (i.e. Cabin Fever, NAMES and Rough 'n Tumble), I will post the rest of what I promised.
Sometimes you need a kick in the butt. Thanks for doing that.

[redhunter350]

Stan, no problem and thanks for that, I'll look forward to the next instalment
Often thought of tying in a visit to the U.S. to go to one of your MEX which one would you recommend ?
Sorry if this going off at a tangent !
Regards John

[Hugh Currin]

Stan:

Each time I read one of your posts I marvel at the pictures as well as the excellent machining. I'm always tempted to ask for tips on taking pictures, either in a post on PM. I haven't, I wasn't sure you'd want to open that can of worms. It's great to see you are open to, and will help us.

I'm very interested in how you get good pictures of in process parts. Those on the machine that don't lend themselves to a light box. Any info here would be appreciated.

Thanks, I appreciate you taking the time for this thread.

Hugh

[Jo]

Anything that improves my picture taking has got to be good 

I am currently blaming my tools camera for the poor photos.

Jo

[PStechPaul]

I have a small (4" diameter) circline desk lamp (with magnifier) that I use for photographing small pieces away from the workshop. In the shop I have a CFL in a "gooseneck" lamp holder that is clamped to the lathe, but I think a large LED lamp may work better. There is probably some trade-off between the warm white and cool white which are defined by color temperature, but I don't know if there is a normal black body distribution of wavelength, or certain narrow bands. I also wonder if the adjustable color temperature lamps using RGB LEDs are good for photography.
 
Thanks for sharing your expertise and experience! 

[philjoe5]

Well I was finally shamed into learning something about photographing engines, thanks Stan.  Keep in mind my experience is 33 minutes compared to Stan's 33 years.  But here's what a tripod, remote shutter control and a Nikon can do in inexperienced hands



Decent videos too

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLY6QxnmBY8" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLY6QxnmBY8</a>

Cheers,
Phil