[meteorite-list] Photo color issue update - colored scale cubes

From: Meteorites USA <eric_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 21:07:39 -0700
Message-ID: <4BF3640B.9010704_at_meteoritesusa.com>

Hi Mike, Greg, List,

A few people have asked me what lights to use for photographing
meteorites. I like to simplify and spend less cash on solutions so I use
a simple desk lamp.

This is the one I use...
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/135512/Magnifier-Lamp-Black/

This one should work too... Not what I have but should work if it's full
spectrum (daylight bulb)...
http://www.staples.com/VisionMax-Black-Adjustable-Full-Spectrum-Magnifying-Clip-On-Desk-Lamp/product_612507

Full spectrum means "WHITE". It's the closest thing to daylight you can
get indoors without actually going outdoors or buying a daylight bulb
from your local photo store.

These work, but then you have to buy the lamp too...
http://store.tabletopstudio-store.com/lightbulbs.html

The point is a white background, and the whiter the light the better
your meteorite photos. One day I'll get around to writing that article
on meteorite photography. ;)

Enjoy...

Regards,
Eric



On 5/17/2010 9:34 AM, Meteorites USA wrote:
> Hi Mike, List,
>
> Mike is right, the flash in macro photography is evil, sort of...
> (most macro photographers use what's called a "ring flash" which
> mounts on the end of an SLR camera lens)
>
> It all depends on how you use your camera, if it's an SLR or a "Point
> & Shoot". I don't flash at all, rather I like using a diffused full
> spectrum light. $20 at your local Office Depot. Oh yeah and a plain
> white piece of paper for the background. Simple. Everyone likes simple.
>
> As for white balancing. Your camera's built in light meter reads
> everything on average at 18% gray and white balances accordingly to
> how bright or dark the subject/background/foreground is collectively.
> A quick trick I use is to point the camera's focal point at the shadow
> created by the meteorite while pressing the shutter button halfway,
> thereby forcing the camera to use the gray to white balance. Wait for
> the beep, this means it's focused, then while still holding the button
> halfway I re-frame the meteorite in the center of the photo and fully
> depress the shutter button.
>
> Works every time... http://www.meteoritesusa.com/meteorite-photos/
>
> Enjoy!
>
> Regards,
> Eric Wichman
> Meteorites USA
>
>
>
>
> On 5/17/2010 4:05 AM, Galactic Stone & Ironworks wrote:
>> Hi Peter and Greg,
>>
>> I've never used the flash a single time when taking meteorite photos.
>> Flash is evil.
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> MikeG
>>
>>
>> On 5/17/10, Peter Scherff<peterscherff at rcn.com> wrote:
>>> Hi Greg,
>>>
>>> Have you tried taking the photos in manual mode? I see that you had
>>> your FinePix S1000fd in auto white balance& auto flash. I believe
>>> if you
>>> set the values yourself you will be able to recreate the look of the
>>> photo
>>> you like even when using the scale cube.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Peter
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com
>>> [mailto:meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com] On Behalf Of Greg
>>> Catterton
>>> Sent: Sunday, May 16, 2010 10:06 PM
>>> To: Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
>>> Subject: [meteorite-list] Photo color issue update - colored scale
>>> cubes
>>>
>>> I am pretty certain the issue is being caused now by my scale cube...
>>> See pictures below, one is with a blue cube, one is without.
>>> No other editing or anything has been done. Only change is removing the
>>> scale cube... guess I am now in the market for a new cube that wont
>>> do this.
>>>
>>> .92g Karoonda with cube
>>> http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c165/jedisdiamond/Karoonda92g2.jpg
>>>
>>> .92g Karoonda without the cube
>>> http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c165/jedisdiamond/Karoonda92g.jpg
>>>
>>> Thanks for all the input from everyone.
>>>
>>>
>>> Greg Catterton
>>> www.wanderingstarmeteorites.com
>>> IMCA member 4682
>>> On Ebay: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/wanderingstarmeteorites
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
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Received on Wed 19 May 2010 12:07:39 AM PDT