gemfeller
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Member since June 2011
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Post by gemfeller on Nov 3, 2016 19:13:17 GMT -5
I've cut a lot of fire agates but have always struggled with photographing them effectively. There seems to be two main options: lighting them so the polish is evident but with the inevitable reflections; and with diffused lighting that eliminates the reflections but also tends to deaden the polished appearance and diminishes the stones' colors. The images that follow show both reflections and polish as well as the iridescent colors of the cabs that's very close to their appearance in the hand. I'm curious to know if the reflections bother people. To me the images seem very close to the stones' natural look but I've learned that it always helps to get as many opinions as possible. Fire away! Firecab 64 Firecab 69 Firecab 63 Firecab 39 Firecab 30a
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2016 19:16:01 GMT -5
Fire sells. Polish is a given if the fire is hott.
I say show fire first!
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Post by orrum on Nov 3, 2016 20:37:53 GMT -5
Yes that's fire!
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Post by Garage Rocker on Nov 3, 2016 21:36:32 GMT -5
I don't mind some flash glare and it can be used to accentuate the gloss on the stone. The flash gives those stones life in the photo. Without it, no fire you say, so positioning to maximize fire and minimize glare is the name of the game. Unless you want to construct an elaborate lightbox or get some snoots, barn doors, diffusers and such.
Great cabs and those photos look like you're doing them justice.
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Post by broseph82 on Nov 3, 2016 21:43:19 GMT -5
That 2nd one looks perfect!
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Post by kk on Nov 3, 2016 22:35:49 GMT -5
Ohh yes, me too. I really like the look of the second one.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Nov 4, 2016 0:12:28 GMT -5
broseph82 and kk , I wish they all turned out like #2. But as I think KK can attest, the profile of the stone determine how much reflections show. Cuts with contoured crowns or high, rounded shapes reflect light at differing angles and to work out a shooting set-up to even that out would take far more time and effort than I'm willing to spend on a single shot unless the stone is worth really big bucks...maybe someone can show me a simple way to do it
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Post by broseph82 on Nov 4, 2016 8:49:49 GMT -5
broseph82 and kk , I wish they all turned out like #2. But as I think KK can attest, the profile of the stone determine how much reflections show. Cuts with contoured crowns or high, rounded shapes reflect light at differing angles and to work out a shooting set-up to even that out would take far more time and effort than I'm willing to spend on a single shot unless the stone is worth really big bucks...maybe someone can show me a simple way to do it What I try to do is hold it in my hand and whatever angle shows the most flash, color, or pattern that's what I try and capture with a photo. Making stones extra shiny sucks for Picture taking sometimes, but sometimes it works out when you can get a scenery or clouds in it and just looks awesome and then take a less reflective photo to show the stone itself
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Fossilman
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 4, 2016 10:50:22 GMT -5
Sorry,I see nothing....
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Don
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He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
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Post by Don on Nov 4, 2016 10:58:04 GMT -5
Photobucket is taking a dump this morning and none of the pictures hosted by them are showing.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2016 13:36:04 GMT -5
broseph82 and kk , I wish they all turned out like #2. But as I think KK can attest, the profile of the stone determine how much reflections show. Cuts with contoured crowns or high, rounded shapes reflect light at differing angles and to work out a shooting set-up to even that out would take far more time and effort than I'm willing to spend on a single shot unless the stone is worth really big bucks...maybe someone can show me a simple way to do it Rick, do you have a permanent table top for imaging?
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Nov 4, 2016 14:53:37 GMT -5
@shotgunner: More or less ... I used a copy stand and natural light for all the images shown. What do you have in mind?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2016 15:24:02 GMT -5
Perhaps a visit to finally meet and show you how I do it.
Sundays are play days for me and my GF is always up for a road trip. Maybe we can share a meal too. If I remember right, you have a favorite local bbq nearby...
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 4, 2016 15:50:02 GMT -5
Party at Rick's!!
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Nov 4, 2016 17:00:31 GMT -5
@shotgunner , that could work! Too busy now to respond in detail but a PM will follow. You're invited too rockjunquie .
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2016 17:07:41 GMT -5
Yay! Tela is coming too!
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 4, 2016 17:43:40 GMT -5
I wish! That's a long trip for me. But, thank you.....
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Nov 8, 2016 16:43:33 GMT -5
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. While thinking about this project I came up with a photography method that greatly minimizes reflections. I made images of the same 5 stones for comparison. Any opinions? Firecab 64W Firecab 69W Firecab 63W Firecab 39W Firecab 30W
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2016 16:46:24 GMT -5
Well done!!
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 8, 2016 18:09:50 GMT -5
Wow! That's a BIG improvement. Whatever you did, it's working.
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