Why do people suck so bad at taking pictures of pool cues?
- Thread starter vintagecollectibles831
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Cues are a bit of a weird thing to photograph because, as others have pointed out, they're just very long and skinny and fitting the whole thing in the frame leaves a lot of empty space.
I've found that a good neutral background, in this case a soft grey blanket, and a good window on a bright day but without direct sunlight coming in is usually good enough for some quick and dirty cue shots that look good. I think people should always include a full shot of the cue and setting it up so it goes corner to corner helps maximize the space. I really dislike when I can't see the whole cue, it's just hard to get a feel for how all the pieces look together with only detail shots.
These were setup and shot with my iPhone in like 5 minutes probably. Certainly nothing fancy (like the cue), but they're clear, show the whole cue as well as detail shots, and are lit reasonably well. Being a satin finished cue it does help a little with reflections but I've had fine success with gloss finishes too.
I've found that a good neutral background, in this case a soft grey blanket, and a good window on a bright day but without direct sunlight coming in is usually good enough for some quick and dirty cue shots that look good. I think people should always include a full shot of the cue and setting it up so it goes corner to corner helps maximize the space. I really dislike when I can't see the whole cue, it's just hard to get a feel for how all the pieces look together with only detail shots.
These were setup and shot with my iPhone in like 5 minutes probably. Certainly nothing fancy (like the cue), but they're clear, show the whole cue as well as detail shots, and are lit reasonably well. Being a satin finished cue it does help a little with reflections but I've had fine success with gloss finishes too.
Excellent!Cues are a bit of a weird thing to photograph because, as others have pointed out, they're just very long and skinny and fitting the whole thing in the frame leaves a lot of empty space.
I've found that a good neutral background, in this case a soft grey blanket, and a good window on a bright day but without direct sunlight coming in is usually good enough for some quick and dirty cue shots that look good. I think people should always include a full shot of the cue and setting it up so it goes corner to corner helps maximize the space. I really dislike when I can't see the whole cue, it's just hard to get a feel for how all the pieces look together with only detail shots.
These were setup and shot with my iPhone in like 5 minutes probably. Certainly nothing fancy (like the cue), but they're clear, show the whole cue as well as detail shots, and are lit reasonably well. Being a satin finished cue it does help a little with reflections but I've had fine success with gloss finishes too.
This is a timely post for me because my brother just sent me some photos from the top of the Washington Monument. He's a pro shooting for a customer. I replied that he has a great camera! That's a running joke because many people think the camera is all that matters. I get what you are saying about tech today, but it only goes so far. The guy shooting a cue with his foot in the shot doesn't realize that the quality of the pic/composition can impact the perceived value of the cue. Or, he looks at a shot with a huge reflection and just doesn't know there might be a better way of taking the shot. So, I guess it's stupidity!
Cues are a bit of a weird thing to photograph because, as others have pointed out, they're just very long and skinny and fitting the whole thing in the frame leaves a lot of empty space.
I've found that a good neutral background, in this case a soft grey blanket, and a good window on a bright day but without direct sunlight coming in is usually good enough for some quick and dirty cue shots that look good. I think people should always include a full shot of the cue and setting it up so it goes corner to corner helps maximize the space. I really dislike when I can't see the whole cue, it's just hard to get a feel for how all the pieces look together with only detail shots.
These were setup and shot with my iPhone in like 5 minutes probably. Certainly nothing fancy (like the cue), but they're clear, show the whole cue as well as detail shots, and are lit reasonably well. Being a satin finished cue it does help a little with reflections but I've had fine success with gloss finishes too.
Very nice!
The short answer is that few people know how to photograph images of something with a lot of glare. I like the indirect sunlight you mentioned or using a white bedsheet or towel in front of the light to soften it.
Unfortunately it takes real skills to photograph a cue well and most people don't have the skills or don't care. Your advice and images are all outstanding!
Hu
As someone that has shot a few cue pics is, it is never what it seems. The more intricate the cue the more you want to show. But macro-zoom is not what it sounds like, and the results are hit or miss. I think the standard format of forearm, butt sleeve, overall is all anyone should ever need. If you need more than these pics show, maybe cues aren't for you.
I have been shifting gears and trying to take coin photos, equally as tough. Cell phones, digital cams, are all good but it is the higher ends wide angle with macro that gets you close up.
Worry more about the guys that want to know the balance from the buttcap at precisely 17.12589674 inches from the bumper.
JV
I have been shifting gears and trying to take coin photos, equally as tough. Cell phones, digital cams, are all good but it is the higher ends wide angle with macro that gets you close up.
Worry more about the guys that want to know the balance from the buttcap at precisely 17.12589674 inches from the bumper.
JV
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Pictures of cues suck universally. Video works much better. Run the camera slowly down the length of the cue to get the whole thing in perfect focus.
Thanks!
It's maybe worth adding that I do have an associates degree in photography from like 25+ years ago. Haven't done any serious photography in decades and don't even currently own a camera outside the one in my iPhone....but I do have a background in it and an understanding of some basic principles that still apply in the modern digital age (my schooling was pretty much all film and darkroom based)
I had some "House Cues" made for friends to use when they come over to play. (Of course, I have fun with them, too!)
I took pictures of them in September 2022 and posted here in the Cue & Case Gallery Forum. There is some glare and some shadows. With my skills now, I would have cleaned up all that before posting. It's not worth doing it now as I don't plan on selling them.
For the pictures, I used a Nikon 80-200 mm f/2.8 telephoto lens on a Nikon body (I don't remember which one used). I had it mounted on a tripod and used a flash head with a diffuser, angled.
The link below will take you to the thread in that Forum. Skip the long post #1 where I ramble on telling the story of getting the cues. The subsequent posts, #2-3-4-5-6 show the five cues. I just edited each to add a more detailed description of the cues then I did when I initially posted.
I took pictures of them in September 2022 and posted here in the Cue & Case Gallery Forum. There is some glare and some shadows. With my skills now, I would have cleaned up all that before posting. It's not worth doing it now as I don't plan on selling them.
For the pictures, I used a Nikon 80-200 mm f/2.8 telephoto lens on a Nikon body (I don't remember which one used). I had it mounted on a tripod and used a flash head with a diffuser, angled.
The link below will take you to the thread in that Forum. Skip the long post #1 where I ramble on telling the story of getting the cues. The subsequent posts, #2-3-4-5-6 show the five cues. I just edited each to add a more detailed description of the cues then I did when I initially posted.
Here's an exception... Bob Dzuricky may be as good a photographer as he is a cue builder.
https://www.dzcues.com/finished_cues.html
https://www.dzcues.com/finished_cues.html
Cues are taught subject to get good images of, as if you use artificial light, you get HOT SPOTS (Glair & Reflections) unless you know tricks of photographers trade.
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