Lighting for Cue Pictures

zeeder

zeeder

Will queue for cues
Silver Member
When I take pictures of my cues I always have a problem with the lighting. What do you guys do to get really high quality pictures? Should I take the cues outside and photograph them in daylight or buy some special photography lights or flashes? Any and all information you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

Zeeder

P.S. So you know what I'm working with I have a Nikon D70.
 
With a digital SLR like the D70, you should be able to take stellar pics with ample at-home lighting. Just make sure you use a plain background (I recommend white) so that the cue stands out. I'm not sure what lenses you have, but you should use the macros function for close-ups. Sunlight needs to be diffused because its very strong. I think a desk lamp would work perfect for a makeshift at home studio.
 
nikon cool pix 4300

I have a Nikon cool pix 4300 that I use with a standard shop spotlite that creates pretty good pictures in my opinion. Check my EBAY pictures on my current cue for sale. Search by Troy Downey cue.
 
Lighting

zeeder said:
When I take pictures of my cues I always have a problem with the lighting. What do you guys do to get really high quality pictures? Should I take the cues outside and photograph them in daylight or buy some special photography lights or flashes? Any and all information you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

Zeeder

P.S. So you know what I'm working with I have a Nikon D70.
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I have a lowly Canon S50, but using all Manual Mode, I was able to get those Hercek pics with a 100 watt incandescent light bulb, no flash. I would give anything to have a digital SLR-
 
RSB-Refugee said:
Like a Hercek, for instance? I'll get back to you soon, I have to go to ebay. How do you spell S-L-R? ;)

Tracy
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Well, almost anything :p
 
Kevin Lindstrom said:
I have a Nikon cool pix 4300 that I use with a standard shop spotlite that creates pretty good pictures in my opinion. Check my EBAY pictures on my current cue for sale. Search by Troy Downey cue.
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Take this opinion from an amateur. The lighting seems a bit harsh. Soften your lighting by diffusing it or try using the rooms natural lighting - window/ overhead lamp.

But the overhead lighting on the joint closeup looked pretty dramatic.
 
ironchef. said:
With a digital SLR like the D70, you should be able to take stellar pics with ample at-home lighting. Just make sure you use a plain background (I recommend white) so that the cue stands out. I'm not sure what lenses you have, but you should use the macros function for close-ups. Sunlight needs to be diffused because its very strong. I think a desk lamp would work perfect for a makeshift at home studio.
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I have the lens that comes with the D70 outfit and a cheapo 70-300 lens. I take okay pictures now but the lighting in my apartment isn't all that great so the flash usually is needed and then you get too bright in the center and too dark in the edges.

Could you elaborate on what you mean by the macros function for close-ups? I'm not sure what you mean as I'm pretty new to photography. Thanks to everyone for their input and suggestions.
 
iconcue said:
you need indirect lighting
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Now see, that's what I'm talking about. How do you go about getting indirect lighting such as for those photos?

Edit: BTW, very nice Hercek's!
 
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zeeder said:
Should I take the cues outside and photograph them in daylight or buy some special photography lights or flashes?
Zeeder

P.S. So you know what I'm working with I have a Nikon D70.
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Daylight works fine on a Cloudy Over Cast Day. So you get NO HOT SPOTS, or Shadows.....
 
bruin70 is the king of cue pictures. Talk to him. He's a master. Here is a sample of his work. (Joint Protector)
 

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These pictures have been made under indirect sunlight outside my house
with a not-so-expensive Minolte dimage xt 3,2MPix camera.
I nearly got mad when I tried to get some average quality pictures
inhouse using light from several (diffused) lamps.
IMO it must be extremely difficult to get good pictures with standard
home lighting equipment.
http://www.azbilliards.com/vbulletin/upload/attachment.php?attachmentid=&stc=1
http://www.azbilliards.com/vbulletin/upload/attachment.php?attachmentid=&stc=1
http://www.azbilliards.com/vbulletin/upload/attachment.php?attachmentid=&stc=1

PS: How do I post pics directly in my text?
 
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This is simply Macro with no flash and overhead recessed lighting:
 

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zeeder said:
Now see, that's what I'm talking about. How do you go about getting indirect lighting such as for those photos?
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As someone else said, go outside on an overcast day. The light is soft and even.
You can also stay inside and put a diffuser, or a piece of lens tissue, on your flash to soften the light.
In either case, place a piece of white poster board on the side of your cue, opposite the light source and angle it to reflect the light back at the cue. This will help to add light to the shadow areas and even out the light even further.

To answer your other question, to use macro settings for close up pictures, you first need to have a macro lens.
 
Rich R. said:
As someone else said, go outside on an overcast day. The light is soft and even.
You can also stay inside and put a diffuser, or a piece of lens tissue, on your flash to soften the light.
In either case, place a piece of white poster board on the side of your cue, opposite the light source and angle it to reflect the light back at the cue. This will help to add light to the shadow areas and even out the light even further.

To answer your other question, to use macro settings for close up pictures, you first need to have a macro lens.
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Great suggestion!

I use the poster board (white) to illuminate the shadowy portion of the cue. Sunlight from the window and the ceiling lamps of the room. No flash, set to the highest and finest resolution on the camera.

Without a Macro lens you can make do with your cameras higher "T" (Telephoto) setting. Use a tripod for sharper shots. Pick a simple and clean background that complements or does not grab the attention from the subject.
 
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IvoyTigerKam3.jpg


This cue was shot by an Ebay vendor I met recently, according to him he uses no fancy equipment and uses techniques similar to what we suggested. His camera is pretty old a first generation digital from Nikon (Coolpix).
 
iconcue said:
half the cue is covered with a reflection and the choice of red for a background is terrible. picture shows only a very small section of the cue. cue is nice though!
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Half of the cue covered in reflection? Definitely, but I can still see most of the detail and see how glossy and smooth the finish is.

The color of the background is a nice break from the usual green pool table cloth. It does not clash with the subject, in fact I think it brings it out - of course this is my opinion.

It is one of many detailed shots to show wood grain and inlay detail - of course there are a series of shots showing the entire cue.
 
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