While I agree that setting standards for photography might be detrimental to our efforts, the real point here is: should we provide a few simple suggestions that can improve the photographic images of those who would like to learn (after all, this is an educational site!) how to take more useful pictures, ones that are more viewer friendly and student useful. I think a little help through friendly suggestions would add a lot to the site's museum, and require little of either us or the photographers. Big gain, no pain. Of course, any picutre is better than none at all, so when poor conditions do not permit setting the photo up, we're still glad to receive any photos that we can get.
Perhaps a few friendly suggestions for the beginning gun photographer could include:
1. Background: A uniform, uncluttered background shows off the item best. A solid colored blanket, painted wall, concrete driveway, or solid colored carpet can often provide a good background. Try to avoid unwanted objects, strong color changes, strong lines, or other distractions, in the background.
2. Contrast: Background color should be light to create good contrast with the darker gun. Often more neutral colors like white, gray, light blue or tan, etc. tend to show off the firearm to its best advantage.
3. "Square" views: Angled shots of guns (where one end is closer to the viewer than the other) are hard to see details in, and tend to distort the scale of details. Best views are generally taken directly at, or over, the gun (perpendicular or "square" to the gun). Good ways to achieve this are to lay a gun on ground and stand directly over it, or hang on wall and stand directly in front of it.
4. "Standard" views: To ensure good coverage of a gun, it is helpful to provide "standard" views.
a. For a pistol or smaller item, this includes a good picture of both the front and back sides of the
complete gun, and close-ups of any unusual or special details.
b. For a long arm, three (3) standard views are normally taken: a full length picture showing entire
front side of gun, plus two "half shots," one showing the front side of the gun from the butt plate
out to about 12 inches past the lock plate, and the other showing the back side of the gun from the
butt plate out to about 12 inches past where the lock plate is on the other side.
c. Additional pictures: Other interesting details on a gun, including markings, stampings, signatures,
decoration, etc. should also be photographed. These extra pictures are easier to see when photos
are taken relatively close to the detail.
5. Lighting - It helps to take pictures in good light, either outdoors, or under good interior lights. Good light helps to show the smaller details more clealry, and also allows the camera to shoot faster to reduce slighlty fuzzy edges on objects in some picture. If shooting outside on very bright days, good pictures often result from photographing in shady areas, to reduce strong glare and shadows. There is usually ample light, despite being in the shade, when outside on sunny days.
6. Tripods - Tripods are not essential, but when available, offer greater stability to the camera (compared to hand holding) and therefore give sharper pictures, particularly when shooting in lower light conditions.
