Click007

I got this link when I recently joined the group. I am a professional artifact authenticator & Typologist. I offer top of the line certificates to collectors of authentic American Indian arrowheads & related artifacts. I do the authentications via microscope analysis & UV then take high end photos under direct sun light. >>> I want to achieve the same effects indoors only bump up the crispness and detail of my shots. When photographing arrowheads anywhere from an inch to 7 or 8 inches there is a lot to consider. Flaking, with the highs & lows along with their distinct ridge lines and hinges etc. The material may go from semi-translucent to opaque or waxy in luster. All of these things have to be considered to produce a high end, magazine quality photograph. I am financially limited & don't have an open pocket book. But I will say this straight up, I can do more with a 4 MP Olympus than most guys can do with a 12 MP. Like I said I do my work out doors and I wait for the right sun light to accomplish my job. I need to move this operation indoors for an anytime photo shoot. So I need the umbrellas & tripod to go with the camera. >>> Can anyone out there advise me & give me a list of what, where & ruff cost. It would be a GREAT help. Many thanks for your time and contributions to my search. Bob Butler ButlerArtifactAuthentication.com

terry44 Loc: Tuolumne County California, Maui Hawaii

Hi Bob You can go to any of the camera sites such as Adorama, BH Camera, Cameta Camera, etc. they all are very helpful and give great advice. I have made my own setup that works very well by just going to Ace hardware and buying pvc pipe and fittings, those lights that clip on with adjustable metal hoods, and different wattage and types of lights such as 200 watt incandescent, and 150 to 300 watt florescent bulbs(the kind that are energy savers work well), then choose your backdrop from sheets or blankets or paper, whatever you wish. I have 4 different sizes I have made from a small table box to a 6 by 4 ft. setup for portraits it works just as good as the expensive setups you would buy but for much less. Just use as many lights as you need and the clip on allows you to place them anywhere on a chair or from the top or rear, etc. Good luck and hope this helps. Terry

Click007

Thanks Terry for your help. It is appreciated. How I do my photo work and how I've seen some of the other guys do theirs is as follows. I do mine out doors where they are set up to do theirs indoors. I place a colored background, preferably a lighter blue down over a raised box then I use 4 plastic cups to place a sheet of lightly, tinted glass on. I then take a piece of putty to stick my object on it and shoot away. People rave about em but being the son of a pro, now deceased, and a mother who was an artist, well I guess you might say I am a perfectionist. The main guy I mentioned as having seen before is very secretive and would not tell me much. I got the hint and left him alone but did see his set up. He uses a bench to place his subjects on and a tripod for his camera, still not sure what he uses, and he has a set of 3 umbrellas set up at different angles for reflection. His work is smashing to say the least and I have set my sights on this caliber of craftsmanship. I will check out these places you've sent & it is nice to meet you. I'm a newbie on this sight & frankly to any of these sights as I have just begun my quest. Merry Christmas, Bob

terry44 Loc: Tuolumne County California, Maui Hawaii

Glad it was a help and welcome to this site these folks are a great wealth of information. Have a wonderful Christmas and post lots of pictures

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I invite you to view the UHH True Macro-Photography Forum at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html . The Macro Forum is the proper place to ask your technical macro questions, and to view table-top macro set-ups, which may be of interest to you.

To place Macro Forum on your UHH home page, you must subscribe here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/section_list.jsp .

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

My only suggestion to this type of DIY project would be to try to get all of your lights the same color temperature, preferably around 6500°K or higher.

terry44 Loc: Tuolumne County California, Maui Hawaii

Yes that's the good part you can switch out bulbs for whatever strength and color temp you are looking to get in a particular shot cheaply.

jgitomer Loc: Skippack Pennsylvania

I am a great believer in "getting ones toes wet" before jumping in.

I suggest that you start with a single light (after all when shooting outdoors the sun is coming from only one direction :lol: )

To get started all you need is a tripod and a clamp on desk lamp -- the kind that allows you to reposition the head and aim the light

Once you get a feel for the effect of the direction and distance of the light source from the object being photographed you will probably decide to go with a better light setup.

I would suggest that you go with "photofloods" (actually their modern day replacement) rather than flash because I think that, unless you are an expert, constant lighting is easier to control than flash.

With a little practice you will be taking indoor photos that match or are better than your outdoor photos.

Jerry

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

one suggestion i'd like to make, in addition to all the great information you've already received, is the use of an Ott Light.
jewelers use these lights to photograph fine jewelry. the Ott replicates sunlight, so this might be of some assistance to you, indoors. they make floor standing and desk top units.

Click007

Thanks Jerry & all you guys. I appreciate the advise. The one thing I forgot to mention in all this is that, (There can be no shadows under the artifact or at least a bare minimum that I can photo shop out). That is the beauty of shooting on elevated glass & outdoors.