jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,323
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Post by jamesp on Dec 16, 2016 7:18:23 GMT -5
These bots do well under tall trees and clouds. But the white areas are not shiny. And they are often flat. They are easy. But it is not a great photo. ![](https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5830/20005182274_2bc8c3b222_b.jpg)
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,323
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Post by jamesp on Dec 16, 2016 8:13:55 GMT -5
These were taken in a greenhouse with a semi clear cover. It was cloudy that day. Greek environment, I understand. Sort of a giant light box. It would be a convenient place to take photos. One section has a shade clothe over it. Makes for a different lighting. ![](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1547/24052998639_ee69e68061_c.jpg) In greenhouse with strong sun: ![](https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7557/15997929411_f260bed1c9_c.jpg)
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Post by txrockhunter on Dec 16, 2016 11:33:50 GMT -5
These were taken in a greenhouse with a semi clear cover. It was cloudy that day. Greek environment, I understand. Sort of a giant light box. It would be a convenient place to take photos. One section has a shade clothe over it. Makes for a different lighting. ![](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1547/24052998639_ee69e68061_c.jpg) In greenhouse with strong sun: ![](https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7557/15997929411_f260bed1c9_c.jpg) James, those are great photos! I think you are on the right track! DIY lighting for shiny objects. Found this info that I am going to try out in the lightbox, "double diffusion lighting". Thinking a small PVC pipe frame with fabric will be a good start. Single Diffusion Lighting-![](http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah290/jawilletts7872/Equipment/double%20diffusion4_zps9ealbboc.jpg) Double Diffusion Lighting - ![](http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah290/jawilletts7872/Equipment/double%20diffusion_zps6cjyvboy.jpg) ![](http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah290/jawilletts7872/Equipment/double%20diffusion2_zpsmt553ybr.jpg)
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Post by tims on Dec 16, 2016 12:18:50 GMT -5
Thanks for a trip through the Louvre ... back to my paint-by-numbers.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Dec 16, 2016 12:26:20 GMT -5
Yes jamesp , unless you move to a different solar system, your two sun scenario is just a pipe dream. The good news though, that greenhouse is the perfect spot to take photos. It's a giant light box. That last Rio pic is sweet! Hopefully you still have the greenhouse, but working on the assumption that you don't, or if you want to take pictures outside, you need to replicate the conditions in there.
If you are taking pics in direct sunlight, preferably not directly overhead, you need to use a screen to diffuse the light like the top of the greenhouse does. That can be done easily with a frame and some opaque material to let softened light through. Some sort of plastic sheet or fine cloth material stapled over a frame would work. You don't need to totally enclose a box, just put the screen between the light source (sun) and the rock. I'm sure you can find a clamp and stand around there to hold it in place. Since you have only one sun to work with, you can get shadows on the back side of the rock, like in your first set of pics of coral. You need to bounce light back into those areas. You said you've used a mirror to do that, which can work, but sometimes the shine off the mirror is pretty harsh and can look unnatural. You can use a whiteboard, piece of poster board, art board or anything like that to bounce light subtly. I like the one light source plan, with a little shading to give a sense of dimension to the stone. When I've used two strobes to knock out all shadows, the stone looks a little too flat. That's entirely personal preference though. Also, two light sources means I will have two flash glare spots to work around. I don't mind one, and think it is a way to show that the rock has shine to it. It is supposed to be more of an accent, so it's a matter of moving the rock and light around until the shine hits the spot I want. Here's what my setup looks like:
![](https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/523/31533844142_408a0f5f0f_z.jpg)
The strobe mimics the sun in your scenario and there's a diffusing soft box between the light source and the subject. I've used the folded white board to bounce light onto the back side of the rock. Varying the distance between the diffuser and the rock, and the rock to the reflector, will give you different looks. Just takes some experimentation to find your preference.
Example of rock with no backstop reflecting light back. ![](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/724/31533843952_1cb2ea3fe7_z.jpg)
With backstop. ![](https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/59/31533844052_3d798fa2b0_z.jpg)
I shot those a little hotter than usual, to show the shadow effect better, but sometimes with a darker rock I need to dial the power up a little on the flash. That leads to a blown out background. You may run into that with sunlight, so you can use a darker background to even out the picture and lose some of that stark contrast. I just put a piece of paper down on top of my white board.
![](https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5608/31533844252_8be8789055_z.jpg)
That keeps from hurting the eyes so much and it doesn't look so 'clinical'. Here's without the reflector. ![](https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/263/31533844182_4d477be67a_z.jpg)
And with the reflector. ![](https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/333/31533844222_e38776f538_z.jpg)
I did the pics before leaving the house this morning, kinda rushed, but you get the idea. Hope this gives you something to work with. Ideally, you still have that greenhouse to use, then this is all unnecessary.
Randy
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Post by Garage Rocker on Dec 16, 2016 12:28:37 GMT -5
I get it Randy. Thanks. LIGHT IS EVERYTHING. Well, subjects like that required. Like your Photoflex 24x32 Silverdome soft box. 400Ws Strobe, interesting. What is needed for clear noon blue sky photos ? To get the best photos ? Too eliminate shadow, like dispersing the sun light. I was also curious about using a polarizing filter. I can't offer much advice about your other questions but I have found the only way I can eleminate shadows when shooting my photos outdoors is to shoot on an overcast day. That's one way to do it!
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Post by Garage Rocker on Dec 16, 2016 12:39:37 GMT -5
Regarding the double diffuser, txrockhunter.
Thanks Jeremy, I haven't used that technique in a while. Doing product shots, you don't necessarily want everything to look super shiny. I haven't tried it yet for rocks. I wondered if I would get a satin shine look when the rock actually has a wet shine. I may have to try it later. I'll post pics if I do.
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Post by txrockhunter on Dec 16, 2016 13:16:34 GMT -5
Regarding the double diffuser, txrockhunter .
Thanks Jeremy, I haven't used that technique in a while. Doing product shots, you don't necessarily want everything to look super shiny. I haven't tried it yet for rocks. I wondered if I would get a satin shine look when the rock actually has a wet shine. I may have to try it later. I'll post pics if I do. Please post pic's!!! I would love to see how you use it and what kind of results you get!
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dottyt
spending too much on rocks
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Member since July 2016
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Post by dottyt on Dec 16, 2016 14:25:43 GMT -5
Yes jamesp , unless you move to a different solar system, your two sun scenario is just a pipe dream.
I think there will be a convenient shuttle service set up to such a solar system (with no extra baggage charge) before I feel motivated to do all this complex photo stuff. I am glad you-all do though because it shows your great rocks to their fullest!
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Post by txrockhunter on Dec 16, 2016 15:05:02 GMT -5
Oooowieee, I like those! Wattashine! While moving stuff around on the patio, looking for some tumbler fodder to add, I found a coral like that pictured in #5. Debated throwing it in, but wasn't sure how much of the white surface would come off? The answers is, keep it grinding, and just wait and see how much comes off! Now I'm gonna have to go find it again, and throw it in next time I open a tumbler up. See if I can get it as Purdy as Randy's. Garage Rocker Throw it in there and see what happens. That's the magic of those type stones, they keep changing the longer they tumble. I enjoy leaving some 'crust' on certain ones, like the orange Brazilian agate up there. Been looking for a pic of #5 before it went in the tumbler, I'm sure I have one, but having trouble deciding which one it is. You have a pic of your coral?
Not a very good photo, but this is probably what it looked like. ![](http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah290/jawilletts7872/Agates%20Pet%20Wood%20Arrowheads/Special%20Finds/20161124_090602_zpsupbu0oip.jpg)
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
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Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on Dec 16, 2016 15:14:40 GMT -5
A great tumble batch and very informative piece on photo technique. Thanks to all for this useful info.
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Post by adam on Dec 16, 2016 16:00:21 GMT -5
Is #8 a lake superior agate. purdy purdy purdy
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rockpickerforever
Cave Dweller
RIP Jean Bradley, you are forever loved
Member since July 2011
Posts: 12,069
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Post by rockpickerforever on Dec 16, 2016 16:05:36 GMT -5
Not a very good photo, but this is probably what it looked like. ![](http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah290/jawilletts7872/Agates%20Pet%20Wood%20Arrowheads/Special%20Finds/20161124_090602_zpsupbu0oip.jpg)
Yeah, pretty much about like that, thanks, Jeremy. Like I said, no telling how thick that white layer is, mine had a little more texture to it, meaning different hardnesses from the white to the tan underneath. Heck, may not even be a good candidate for tumbling....
I've just spent the last hour and a half, outside, in the freezing cold (okay, it's 64°, so I'm a wimp!) and rain. Yes, it does occasionally rain in SoCal. Not complaining, we need it.
Anyway, I've not run across it. Figuring I either went ahead and threw in into a tumbler the last time it was open, OR, I put it in a "safe place" (my favorite thing to do) so I can find it quickly when I want it. Can't decide if I am having a blond moment, or a senior moment, lol. (Can ya relate, Tommy?) If it is in a tumbler, I will find it at the next cleanout in early January. If it is not in a tumbler, then it will turn up eventually! If not that exact one, another one just like it. I have buckets of coral from the desert like that.
Not is all bad, I did get to go through some bus trays, and find all kinds of cool agates, fossils and stuff from Ocotillo Wells. Rock hounding the buckets my backyard!
Here's a photo I took of a flat cross-section of coral from OW: ![](http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc333/jeanatrandjproductsdotcom/OW%20and%20Indian%20Pass%20Dec%202014/DSC17174A.jpg)
That's the only pic I'll post, promise! But if you want to see more fossils, including various corals, here's a link to "Potholes Fossils" on Photobucket.
I apologize in advance if you get inundated by ads. I don't use the bucket much anymore because of that. These were taken several years ago, and uploaded before the ads got to be so many and so annoying.
Randy Garage Rocker, will let you know when I find it.
PS - still raining, it was supposed to be done by now.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,694
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Post by Fossilman on Dec 16, 2016 18:38:43 GMT -5
HOLY MOLLY,those rocks tumbled great!!!! You run a nice batch!!!
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Post by Garage Rocker on Dec 16, 2016 23:42:47 GMT -5
Is #8 a lake superior agate. purdy purdy purdy Yup, that's a little laker. You never know just how they'll turn out.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Dec 17, 2016 0:07:44 GMT -5
Regarding the double diffuser, txrockhunter .
Thanks Jeremy, I haven't used that technique in a while. Doing product shots, you don't necessarily want everything to look super shiny. I haven't tried it yet for rocks. I wondered if I would get a satin shine look when the rock actually has a wet shine. I may have to try it later. I'll post pics if I do. Please post pic's!!! I would love to see how you use it and what kind of results you get! Ok Jeremy, the first test is in. Here's how I set it up. Same as in your picture, I put a diffuser between the soft box and the rock.
![](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/670/30850976184_71467f1efd_z.jpg)
Can anyone tell which one(s) were shot with the double diffuser? Have a preference?
![](https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5607/31577093481_dfc65e4688_z.jpg)
![](https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/520/30882370433_56799e427a_z.jpg)
![](https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/676/30850977394_e96d612979_z.jpg)
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Post by txrockhunter on Dec 17, 2016 1:00:26 GMT -5
Thank you for taking the time to put that together! So 1 & 3 are with the double diffuser? Not sure it was the big difference I thought it would be.
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Post by pghram on Dec 17, 2016 1:09:08 GMT -5
Wonderful batch, the red ones in #16 are fantastic.
Peace,
Rich
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2016 2:01:57 GMT -5
I can't offer much advice about your other questions but I have found the only way I can eleminate shadows when shooting my photos outdoors is to shoot on an overcast day. That's one way to do it! A really good way!!!
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richardh
spending too much on rocks
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Post by richardh on Dec 17, 2016 8:54:56 GMT -5
Please post pic's!!! I would love to see how you use it and what kind of results you get! Ok Jeremy, the first test is in. Here's how I set it up. Same as in your picture, I put a diffuser between the soft box and the rock.
![](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/670/30850976184_71467f1efd_z.jpg)
Can anyone tell which one(s) were shot with the double diffuser? Have a preference?
![](https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5607/31577093481_dfc65e4688_z.jpg)
![](https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/520/30882370433_56799e427a_z.jpg)
![](https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/676/30850977394_e96d612979_z.jpg)
I think the one with the hard specular highlight looks shinier and is my preference. The more diffused shots make the rock not look as shiny.
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