Looks like a 7.62x38R Nagant Russian pistol cartridge. Also made in some Scandinavian countries. Second looks like a paper casing shotgun shell. Not familiar with the Acorn emblem. Could be from the turn of the last century

Ellen,
I am truely sorry for all the anti-quest you have had to experience. Here is what I would suggest you do...

1. Start photographing anyone you can. Do not mention nudes or boudior until you really get to know someone. Start taking portraits of your friends, co-workers, etc. Make prints for all of those you shoot. Let them know that you are studying and trying to establish your "style".

2. After you have gotten to know some people who like your work, get to know them on a personal level. Offer to take more of them. If you have lighting equipment, offer to photograph them in your apartment or theirs. When you are both more comfortable with each other, you might suggest something a little different. Don't push. Let them suggest things like a bare sholder or a hint of underware.

3. Let them ask. You might say that you had thought about going further but didn't know who to do it with. Let them suggest. You did not mention if you were interested in male of female nudes. Being female, it might be easier to start with women you know (age is not a factor, nor is sexual orientation). Men wanting to photograph women nude are initially considered perverts. Women wanting to photograph men can be considered agressive. Take your time and let your subjects get to know you.

Shoot lots and print for quality. Let us know how you do.

Rick

Ellen,
I am truely sorry for all the anti-quest you have had to experience. Here is what I would suggest you do...

1. Start photographing anyone you can. Do not mention nudes or boudior until you really get to know someone. Start taking portraits of your friends, co-workers, etc. Make prints for all of those you shoot. Let them know that you are studying and trying to establish your "style".

2. After you have gotten to know some people who like your work, get to know them on a personal level. Offer to take more of them. If you have lighting equipment, offer to photograph them in your apartment or theirs. When you are both more comfortable with each other, you might suggest something a little different. Don't push. Let them suggest things like a bare sholder or a hint of underware.

3. Let them ask. You might say that you had thought about going further but didn't know who to do it with. Let them suggest. You did not mention if you were interested in male of female nudes. Being female, it might be easier to start with women you know (age is not a factor, nor is sexual orientation). Men wanting to photograph women nude are initially considered perverts. Women wanting to photograph men can be considered agressive. Take your time and let your subjects get to know you.

Shoot lots and print for quality. Let us know how you do.

Rick

This looks like an unposed snap shot. Unclutter the background, pose the poor girl, loose the shades unless they are part of the statement you are trying to make. The lights are a distraction. They could be used to define shape or center the attention if you wanted. I'll bet that she would love to be the center of attention in a private session. Good luck.

I have two Nikons, a D750 and a D7100 that I use as a Deputy Coroner and Death Scene Investigator. The pop ups give me good coverage and angle for close ups within five feet. My case also contains a hot shoe mounted flash that gives wider coverage and better distance coverage. Ring lights are great for some work, but the extra components get in the way, and you don't ever want any of your camera equipment to fall into the subjects.

I would say, "read," The "manual will tell you how to work your camera, not make photos. Study the works of Jay Maisel and Elliot Erwit. Study Philippe Halsman and Ansel Adams, Annie Leibowitz and Steve McCurry and Richard Avedon. Read every fashion magazine you can find and study how those photographers did their shots. With very few exceptions, there are no "original" photographs or poses or settings.

Ask your friends to let you take their photos for practice. Find out what works for you and your style as it develops. Don't be afraid to venture into new areas. Remember, slightly longer lenses (85 mm to 135 mm) work best for portraits and wide angles usually work best for scenics, but not always.

I have never had a client complain about the brand of camera I use. They will sometimes ask questions, but never complain.

First time on a DC-3 at 10 years old. Central Airline (Now Frontier) was starting local service and giving free rides around the area. 60 years later I have 3000 hours helicopter, 10,000 fixed wing in turbo props and business jets thanks to the Army, and 1200 yours in my own Bonanza.

Why I don't shoot weddings.

I have studied with some of the best, commercial, industrial, and scientific. I have made my living in photography for years. Unless you are selling your work professionally, and unless your customers are not happy with your work, who cares what others think. If you take photos for yourself, you are the only one who can judge.

There are a lot of "professional" photographers that make a lot of money with their cameras and don't know diddly about what they are doing. They just shoot volumes and pick the best. Give them a view camera and five film holders and they would be lost.

A man nomed Alexi Brodovich, who was the photo director for Harper's Magazine, was quoted as saying, "Anyone can make a good photograph. The secret of a professional is to be able to do in again and again."

Keep shooting and keep enjoying.

Really good product shots. Nice work.

zip Code 12038 is Buskirk, NY

First shot, no problems. Not even a sore arm. Second shot (at 21 days), nothing first day, then two days with a mild (very mild) headache. My boss got his second shot and said he felt like someone beat him up with a baseball bat. No one else in our office had a problem.

I once walked into a restraunt and saw one of my photos, framed, hanging on their wall. I was impressed until I noticed someone else's signature on the mat. On closer examination, it was a slightly different angle and cropping, but was taken about the same time. I did not get upset about it. I was pleased that we had shared the same inspiration. Don't let them bother you.

I am a school trained (Brooks) commercial and medical photographer. I don't do weddings! I was once asked by one of our lab techs in a hospital I was working at to shoot her wedding. I said no. She would not take no for an answer. Finally, I said yes and was asked how much I would charge (1977). I quoted my day rate and said I would give them two black and white 5x7s for the paper, and an album of 12 8x10s of the wedding. She said, "that's too much. I talked to a professional downtown and he didn't ask that much." I said, "there's your answer."