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Post by frane on Jul 12, 2009 20:58:23 GMT -5
My husband decided to surprise me today and made me a light box. he used pvc for the frame and 2 lights, a cheap stacking table, a sheet and construction paper. I think it is great and I am pretty sure the pictures look so much better. I just need a bit more practice using it. Thanks for looking! Fran
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wyobrian
fully equipped rock polisher
GO VIKINGS
Member since February 2009
Posts: 1,739
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Post by wyobrian on Jul 12, 2009 21:29:25 GMT -5
GREAT IDEA BRIAN
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garrett
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 62
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Post by garrett on Jul 19, 2009 5:37:16 GMT -5
That’s really cool. I paid a pretty good chunk of change for a commercial one about that same size and yours is probably the better unit.
When you get used to it you’ll love it.
Garrett
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Post by rockmanken on Jul 19, 2009 6:54:01 GMT -5
I paid a pretty chunk for one too, and it isn't worth 2 cents. Lights cause shadows and the colors are wrong. Tried everything and it still don't work. Hold an item in my hand and it is great. With another light, not the led's that came with it. Hope yours works better than mine. Ken
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Post by frane on Jul 19, 2009 8:26:40 GMT -5
for the most part it is working. The greens still look brighter than they are for some reason but that may be my camera. I must shake because every time I try to hold cabs and photo them, they are really blurry! You must be pretty steady Ken cause that is a talent I don't have! I am glad my hubby made it for me so I can give it a try without the heartbreak of spending so much. Fran
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NorthShore-Rocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,004
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Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Jul 19, 2009 10:33:03 GMT -5
Awesome Fran! It looks great.
A tripod is a photographer's best friend. Glad to see you're using one. There is a wide range of color temperature light bulbs out there. Along with "White balance" you can usually zero in your color space for your camera.
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Post by frane on Jul 21, 2009 8:29:28 GMT -5
I have found if I do the timer on the camera, it doesn't have me moving it just a little when I take the picture and it turns out so much better! Close ups don't work with my camera. My husband tried mine out because he thought I just wasn't getting the macro settings right.. He has since decided my camera is a piece of crap. I have had to convince him not to run out and get one for now. (possibly getting a house soon) It can wait and I can make due with this one. The camera in the picture is his and it is a whole lot better than mine but not as quick and easy (for me). Fran
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Post by NatureNut on Jul 21, 2009 8:54:08 GMT -5
Listen to Steve, he straightened me out (although I'm still like Ken- better pics in my hand, LOL.) I was gonna mention the bulbs but he beat me to it. Also, if your camera came with a remote, you can use that to snap the shutter. You married a good dude, Franny!
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Jul 21, 2009 9:21:54 GMT -5
I too made my light tent (what can I say...I'm cheap). I use the A/V out function on my camera, and a 19" TV to set up shots. Manual focus is usually better with Opals so you see the color flashes, and three halogen lights when I can't use Sun light. I can turn the stones in real time and see what they look like before I snap the the pic (digital film is so expensive to process these days ;D ). I only use the LCD screen on the camera to tell me it's on . Dr Joe .
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jul 21, 2009 12:42:40 GMT -5
That's a very nice light table! You'll want to play with the position of the light(s) and reflector(s) until you get the light and shadows that you like.
As for holding the stone steady, you might try bringing the table a little forward so that you have a flat area on which you can put a support (stand, easel, other rock, etc.).
Steve is right about the bulb temperature and the white balance. If your camera doesn't have a custom white balance function, then you'll have to fix it in Photoshop (which generally deesn't work as well as getting it right when you snap the shutter).
The self time or a remote will help steady the camera, as you've learned. One more tip: your camera will be more stable if you don't use the center column to raise the camera, but raise the leg height instead.
Hope that helps, Chuck
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Post by Bejewelme on Jul 23, 2009 20:40:32 GMT -5
Fran: That is awesome, I bought one too, Tony has it, and I have the one he made out of a FRB and vellum,, LOL! This is pretty fancy! THe lighting is the key, find the right bulbs! You will get it, it takes some practice and looking at them on the computer to see how to correct. I do as Chuck suggests, and raise the legs and use the timer, and now you need to make some cab stands, now go make some cabs, and take a pic! LOL Amber
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