Powershot can shoot RAW, I just don’t know if I want to spend money on an editing program if all I’ll be doing is posting to FB.. unless there are free programs that are useful?
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Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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Blade Photography (camera)
- Thread starter Maineiac1
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Powershot can shoot RAW, I just don’t know if I want to spend money on an editing program if all I’ll be doing is posting to FB.. unless there are free programs that are useful?
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- Feb 26, 2017
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Processing RAW images in Lightroom is a breeze once you learn how to use Lightroom. There is a learning curve there. Not to mention you need a computer fast enough to run Lightroom at a decent pace - it's not too demanding, sure, but let's not assume everyone has a MacBook Pro available.
Moreover, I'm not sure I see the benefit for product photography. You have full control of your lighting, so dynamic range, white balance control, color adjustments, and noise control are less of an issue. If you're downsizing images for posting on the web (say, down to 1024x768), sharpening shouldn't be much of a problem even in JPG. Sure, you may be able to eke out the last few bits of detail out of a RAW image, but I'm not sure that incremental benefit is worth the effort - even if that effort is a few minutes per image.
Your camera should have come with software for converting RAW to JPG, or you can download it from the manufacturer's website. I'm not sure how much control that will give you over editing the images, though. You can download a free 30-day trial of Lightroom, give that a shot. There are also free image editing packages like GIMP, but I can't speak to how user friendly there are.
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Others have provided advice and links on setting up a lighting rig for product photography, earlier in the thread. The other thing you'd need is a tripod with a macro arm, so you can position the camera above your knives. A decent starter macro tripod would be the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 kit. You'd also want to get a remote shutter release for your camera, if it allows for one, or just use the 2 second delay feature, so the vibrations from pressing the shutter button have time to dissipate.
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worry first about lighting and composition. the whole raw vs jpeg is crazy at this stage. i can take sale worthy pics with my dam cell phone (have $$$$ in camera lens and body ) RAW and gear will not fix poorly taken shots
I had been putting off shooting some recent projects. Today ended up being the day to catch up. Thought it might be informative to show a set up and a result in case it helps anyone. Admittedly, I am shooting with a pro dslr, a perspective control lens and a sturdy tripod with extension arm. The lighting is coming from a tungsten video light (750w) firing thru a large white umbrella from the side. This one is roughly the size of a beach umbrella, but it really doesn't have to be this large. It is basically some of my extra equipment that is not used often in my work.
I actually make my knives in my photography studio, but I photograph my knives in my loft where I do the sanding and any wood finishing. I use surfaces and materials from past shoots as surfaces. This one is is a section of sheepskin from one of my fashion clients. That I thought would look good with the black micarta. This is a simple side light with white card reflector set up.
Here is the final result.
I actually make my knives in my photography studio, but I photograph my knives in my loft where I do the sanding and any wood finishing. I use surfaces and materials from past shoots as surfaces. This one is is a section of sheepskin from one of my fashion clients. That I thought would look good with the black micarta. This is a simple side light with white card reflector set up.
Here is the final result.
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- Apr 3, 2011
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- 5,685
I've found lighting to be the key... I shoot all my pics on my phone. Here's a reblade I made - shot taken in a lightbox w/ a black satin background and post processed a bit.
Another one w/ light strategically placed
I also love outdoor natural shots too, lighting is perfect on an overcast day (otherwise you will get the blue reflection from the sky)
Another one w/ light strategically placed
I also love outdoor natural shots too, lighting is perfect on an overcast day (otherwise you will get the blue reflection from the sky)
I've found lighting to be the key... I shoot all my pics on my phone. Here's a reblade I made - shot taken in a lightbox w/ a black satin background and post processed a bit.
Another one w/ light strategically placed
I also love outdoor natural shots too, lighting is perfect on an overcast day (otherwise you will get the blue reflection from the sky)
Wow those are incredible! Beautiful knives and very nice pictures! Must have a phone with a great camera??