My Pen Photo Set Up,

2/27/05, 7:30 PM #1

Jim Shaver - Oakville, Ontario
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My Pen Photo Set Up,

Jim Shaver - Oakville, Ontario

>Hello,

I have been receiving emails lately to ask how I set up to make images of my pens. I thought that I would share my set up with you here. My camera is a Canon S330, 2MP. It's 3 years old. I set the camera on manual, auto ISO, macro and I use the timer to trip the shutter.

The lights are a 500 watt halogen lamp and a 250 watt bulb in a reflector. I hand hold the aluminum foil reflector to back fill the side of the pens. The top light is set back further than the side light, it creates some depth I think in my images. The material is a plain white linen. Careful with the 500 watt light, it heats up quickly and I drop the cloth on just for a few minutes when I shoot.

The mini trip pod came from Radio Shack (imagine that), it's about 10 inches tall.

This works for me, I am not an expert but I am also open to advice on this too.

Thanks for looking

Thanks for viewing,

Take care,

Jim

Re: My Pen Photo Set Up,

2/27/05, 8:24 PM #2

JL
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Re: My Pen Photo Set Up,

JL

>Looks pretty expert to me. Thanks for sharing. Have you thought about a diffuser panel for the halogen? I would hate for you to have a fire.

Re: My Pen Photo Set Up,

2/27/05, 9:10 PM #3

john lucas
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Re: My Pen Photo Set Up,

john Lucas

>Jim

You've done a good job. I like your light placement. I'm glad you warned everyone about the fire hazard of putting cloth over lights. That's quite dangerous with those lights. I had a blue filter about 3" in front of some quartz lights and it was supposed to be fire proof. It burst into flames and fell on the carpet. Fortunately I was standing there and stomped it out. I'm not usually one to jump on the safety bandwagon but I almost burned my house down. That's not cool. Oooh bad pun.

Re: My Pen Photo Set Up,

2/27/05, 10:15 PM #4

Stuart Johnson
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Re: My Pen Photo Set Up,

Stuart Johnson

>Someone over on WOW (Jaimie?) showed a setup using a white storage box he bought at HD for about $6. It made a great little photo booth.

Re: My Pen Photo Set Up,

2/27/05, 10:56 PM #5

Jennifer@Indy.USA
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Re: My Pen Photo Set Up,

Jennifer@Indy.USA

>Hi Jim,

Thanks fot the pics of yor set up. I've been tinkering with mine too and I love seeing how others are getting their shots.

Jen

- - -

Hello Everybody! I figure I've been hanging around WoodCentral for a few years now so I might as well officially post a Bio. I'm Jennifer and I reside in the heart of the Midwest in Indianapolis. You'll usually find me hanging out on the turning side of WoodCentral, but I check the Main forum too. I started woodworking about 25 years ago mostly interested in flatwork; small furniture and other items to use around the home. Then I discovered the lathe and became obsessed with it. I've been turning for about 23 years now. My love and excitement for turning has taken me into the world of teaching and frequent demonstrating. Lots of experimenting with textures, color, burning over the past several years. I've recently begun dabbling in metal clay work and have started incorporating it in to my turnings too. It's another toolbox full of toys! When I'm not turning, I'm hanging out with the love of my life and most honest critic, my husband Clay. In order to keep the lathe spinning and the lights on I spend the other part of my day at an ABC television station directing the evening newscasts.

Re: My Pen Photo Set Up,

2/27/05, 11:21 PM #6

TheHeretic
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Re: My Pen Photo Set Up, *LINK*

TheHeretic

>Rather than cloth you could contact the local theater and see if they have any diffusion they could sell you. It is designed for 1k lamps and the temperature associated with them. It is relativly inexpensive. If not you could try the link below. I have bought from them in the past albiet I did through a company so they may or may not deal with individuals. Or ask them for a dealer in your area.

Dean

Columbus OH

Apollo Gel

Re: My Pen Photo Set Up,

2/27/05, 11:27 PM #7

Charles Bjorgen
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Re: My Pen Photo Set Up,

Charles Bjorgen

>Jim -- Spun fiberglass fabric used to be available from photo supply houses that catered to professional photographers. I recall using that as a fireproof diffusion option for reducing the glare of hot studio lights. My recollection is that the material was a lot lighter than the fiberglass cloth used for boating applications.

Re: My Pen Photo Set Up,

2/27/05, 11:58 PM #8

john lucas
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Re: My Pen Photo Set Up,

john Lucas

>Charles, your right. You can get spun fiberglass diffusers from www.porters.com

I will be glad to send anyone an abreviated version of my article on Pen photography. I use a Styrafoam cooler that I cut the side out of. Of course that's only one way so it's good to see how others do it. I would shoot them quite differently at my studio than I do at home. It's simply a matter of equipment.

Re: My Pen Photo Set Up,

2/28/05, 2:32 AM #9

JamieDonaldson
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Re: My Pen Photo Set Up,

JamieDonaldson

>Actually the sale price was $4.95, and it has an 18% gray top which is perfect for color and exposure calibration! But I believe I deleted the image from my files?

My Pen Photo Set Up,

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