How do you take good pictures of guitars?

[thebigz]

What did you tweak? Brightness and sharpness? That looks a lot better than the one I did.

I just dug up the RAW and did slight adjustments to brightness and sharpness, looks a lot better. Unfortunately when I upload it to photobucket they compress it which makes it look not as good.

[xenophobe]

What did you tweak? Brightness and sharpness? That looks a lot better than the first, I think I still have the RAW.

I actually adjusted a bit, but it didn't really take any time. I bumped up the exposure and added a little contrast, tweaked a bit more. Mostly it was just underexposed and needed to bump the exposure and the highlights and shadows to be reduced. It's a decent image and your composition is actually really good. The guitar is well positioned compared to the background and the sun.

Here's a screenshot of what I've done, it shows everything. You can see the histogram and how underexposed the shot really is, and that's after adjustment.

Oh, if you have the original RAW, you'll be able to get a lot of the lost detail back... and you should be able to bring out more of the actual finish.



BTW, if you shoot RAW, you'd really do yourself a favor purchasing lightroom. It's the best $100 I've ever spent.

[thebigz]

I just have the Sony program that came with my camera for now. I can pick up photoshop elements for 45 bucks. Would that be worth it?

[Hellbat]

I don't know if the RAW module in elements is as powerful, or if it will even process RAW files. Lightroom is definitely the way to go, especially the latest version, which allows tons of useful in-app editing features as well as the latest and greatest processing formulas.

[xenophobe]

Lightroom is just amazing. It's easy to learn and is non-destructive. Any changes made to any image is stored in the catalog/database and your original RAW files are unaltered.

I would just consider it a necessary accessory to any camera that shoots RAW.

I never purchased it before because I used Canon's DPP, and while DPP does work slightly better for Canon RAW, Lightroom is in every conceivable way better and faster.

[thebigz]

Is there a big difference between lightroom 3 and lightroom 4? LR4 costs about triple LR3

[Hellbat]

Yes, they improved Raw processing and added a bunch of software filtering/editing capabilities.

http://scottkelby.com/2012/why-i-think-lightroom-4-is-going-to-sell-like-crazy/

[Venomboy]

You should also hold the guitar while wearing socks and make sure your reflection can be seen in it. Preferably when you're shooting at 3am in your Underoos.

What Hellbat said. No direct sunlight, no direct flash. Macro...if you're shooting close up details. It's also amazing by just moving your position just a bit what you can achieve. Move up down, sideways, and highlights and shadows and reflections will shift. I always shoot highest quality, least amount of compression. Yes you can now fit 12 zillion images on your camera but they will be tiny and look like crap. Also, dust and clean your guitars first. We all know your house is covered in Cheetoh dust but don't show it

[horns666]

try turning on macro, or closeup mode. that worked for me. brings out alot more detail

Yes..I want Hellbro to take macro pics of my sea slug smooshed against the shower door. Then send the pic to my local zoo, and ask 'what the hell is this thing?".