Discussions on best techniques for mineral photography http://www.mindat.org/msgboard-13.html Sun, 26 May 2013 03:37:28 +0000 Phorum 5.2.15a http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,293396,293396#msg-293396 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,293396,293396#msg-293396
Thanks in advance.]]> Tom White Mineral Photography Fri, 10 May 2013 00:54:28 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,293013,293013#msg-293013 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,293013,293013#msg-293013 Would appreciate any help that can keep from selling the farm in order to photograph minerals.

Thanx]]> KC Dalby Mineral Photography Thu, 09 May 2013 01:48:54 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,292230,292230#msg-292230 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,292230,292230#msg-292230
Don S.]]> Don Saathoff Mineral Photography Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:15:21 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,291434,291434#msg-291434 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,291434,291434#msg-291434
2) Also, what is required set-up to have live view on computer screen and be parfocal (stay in focus on screen) with what is seen in focus in eyepiece?

3) Finally, if each pixel is made of of red, green, blue sensors (RGB), then as megapixels increase as camera sensor chip remains the same, does the size of the RGB sensors decrease in size so that more pixels can be crammed onto chip?

Thanks.]]> James Jones Mineral Photography Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:34:38 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,290498,290498#msg-290498 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,290498,290498#msg-290498
I would appreciate any input on what is the best resolution, etc., for posting photos on Mindat.

Thank you.]]> Brad Vencap Mineral Photography Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:42:03 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,290058,290058#msg-290058 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,290058,290058#msg-290058
This is not the only specimen I have for which photos are unable to convey its essence. The specimen is almost breathtaking in person. If it were a 14.7 cm cluster of quartz in hexagonal prisms, it wouldn’t be much. But as fluorite dodecahedrons–rare in themselves–up to nearly 5 cm across and water clear with few internal flaws, it is impressive. The photos I have taken so far (perhaps 40) fall flat.

Below are two attempts, among my best. I posted the first one already. The angles of the photos are slightly different. One has an artificial but true color background of light blue. The other has the natural background, but it needs processing to remove some glare from lighting. I like the blue because that color comes through the crystals. Black just wouldn’t be the same, and white is really plain.

How does one get a good photo of such crystal-clear specimens? I have tried all angles of illumination, even purposely adding reflections to highlight crystal faces. It is difficult with little or no contrast across the surfaces and no significant shading. Roughness from the undersides of the crystals where they attach to matrix comes through because there is nothing to block the light. They really are completely transparent, but internal refraction seems to focus light coming from the edges of crystals, and the visibility of opposite crystal faces and edges (showing through crystals!) make them rather whitish. Brownish areas are where matrix shows through. In your hand, all of that is clear, but not in the photo!

Any suggestions about how I can improve on this?

© Norman King

[attachment 44764 fluordodecs-5.jpg]]]> Norman King Mineral Photography Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:50:24 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,289680,289680#msg-289680 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,289680,289680#msg-289680
The D90 drops the mirror, then raises it to take the shot and then returns it to the up position to resume live-view.

The 40D simply starts the image, then moves the shutter curtain to end the exposure and returns to live view. The mirror remains locked up.

The level of vibration generated by the two systems is significantly greater in the D90.

I looked at my Panasonic G3 and it, of course, does not have a mirror, but it does have a double shutter that is quite noisy.

My Samsung NX-10 is quiet, but I can't test it since the body will not fire without a lens in place. I stopped using it for other imaging reasons than the shutter.

Could other photographers out there with different live view cameras take a moment to check their camera/model and let me know if this is common to all Nikon cameras, Other Canon cameras, or other camera systems. Thanks.]]> Henry Barwood Mineral Photography Sat, 13 Apr 2013 17:20:19 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,289506,289506#msg-289506 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,289506,289506#msg-289506 The reason for this might be that people who specialize on micro photos are mostly real experts while photographs of larger specimens (measuring at least 1cm) are usually made by collectors like myself who are more interested in collecting than in photographing.
With this thread I want to invite all collectors to show her/his best photographs of specimens larger than 1cm. Everybody can show his own favorites (but not more than 5) side by side. These photos can be exchanged whenever somebody thinks she/he has new better ones.This can easily be done with the 'edit' button.
The photos should not be commented afterwards. That would tear apart the row of pictures.
The result might be a very nice collection if many follow my example. Please, don't let me stand alone with my pictures!

Rudolf]]> Rudolf Hasler Mineral Photography Sat, 25 May 2013 12:37:59 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,289219,289219#msg-289219 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,289219,289219#msg-289219 NY/NJ Metro Gem and Mineral Show in April and plan on doing a lot of photography of the exhibits. I'll be giving talks about the exhibits and the show to various clubs in Houston and Texas. Since there are plans for a large exhibit of fluorescent minerals by the Franklin Museum and the Sterling Hill Mine and Museum I'll want to photograph these also. While I have a lot of experience photographing normal mineral displays I have none regarding fluorescent displays. I've found threads about photographing fluorescent minerals under studio conditions, but none about hand-held photography of fluorescent displays at shows. I'll be using a Nikon D7000 body and I have an 18-70 zoom, an 18-270 zoom, a 105 macro and a 50mm prime available. I use a Metz 58AF-2 flash for standard case photography.

Any and all suggestions from experienced UV collectors and photographers are appreciated. Thanks.]]> Stephen C. Blyskal Mineral Photography Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:33:06 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,289154,289154#msg-289154 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,289154,289154#msg-289154 Henry Barwood Mineral Photography Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:09:30 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,288732,288732#msg-288732 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,288732,288732#msg-288732 Bill]]> Bill Lechner Mineral Photography Thu, 21 Mar 2013 22:58:31 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,287522,287522#msg-287522 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,287522,287522#msg-287522 Jerry Cone Mineral Photography Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:37:32 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,287518,287518#msg-287518 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,287518,287518#msg-287518
I've been shooting from the hip, adjusting the slider bars the best I can tell, but I don't even know what some of them do. And often I can't see a great deal of difference in the subject as I adjust them. Anyway, if someone could help me understand or send me to a site that explains the following, I would appreciate it.

Here are all the settings:

exposure from .032 to 500 ms
average intensity from 0 to 255
continuous auto exposure
gain from 1 to 3.875
gamma from .01 to 5
saturation from 0 to 2
hue from -180 to 180
brightness from -100 to 100
contrast from -100 to 100

The three in boldface type are the ones I don't really understand.

Also, the only other adjustment I've been making is to crop the pictures and I'm using Picasa, which came with the computer. Is PhotoShop the best program to make other changes? I know in some of the posts here people claim that the PhotoShopping is a major part of the picture making.

I really appreciate any assistance at all.

Thanks.

Jerry]]> Jerry Cone Mineral Photography Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:26:02 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,285375,285375#msg-285375 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,285375,285375#msg-285375 Matteo Chinellato Mineral Photography Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:45:20 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,284489,284489#msg-284489 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,284489,284489#msg-284489
I'm using a Canon 400 D Rebel and need a lens of 300 euros or so for macro.Anyy suggestions,please?

Thanks a lot in advance!
-Kostas.]]> Konstantinos Charalampidis Mineral Photography Sun, 03 Feb 2013 23:37:28 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,282740,282740#msg-282740 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,282740,282740#msg-282740 Henry Barwood Mineral Photography Mon, 21 Jan 2013 15:48:01 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,281234,281234#msg-281234 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,281234,281234#msg-281234
I was wondering if anyone else had experienced similar problems?]]> David Baldwin Mineral Photography Mon, 07 Jan 2013 22:54:41 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,281076,281076#msg-281076 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,281076,281076#msg-281076 Jerry Cone Mineral Photography Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:07:11 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,280860,280860#msg-280860 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,280860,280860#msg-280860
Jeff Johnson]]> Jeff Johnson Mineral Photography Sat, 26 Jan 2013 21:39:52 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,277553,277553#msg-277553 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,277553,277553#msg-277553 To start with: great photo by one of the greatest minerals photographers.
[www.mindat.org]
BUT:
Is this already forgotten:
[www.mindat.org].
In which is stated that most probably 99 % (if not all) photographs on Mindat of Poldervaartites should be in reality Olmiites.
Thing is that the "older "specimens from Wessels were found before Olmiite was discovered and later it was proved that these older Poldervaartites were mostly Olmiites:
Anatoly Kasatkin:
Now I have a strong suggestion that all the poldervaartites that filled the mineral market (including all pictured on mindat) are in fact olmiites.
It needs to be said that even the analysis given by the authors of poldervaartite for the homogenous grain of holotype material showed dominance of Mn over Ca.
So the question about POTD is: is the specimen analysed?
OK, it comes out of an old collection, but at the time they did not know better and labelled them all "Poldervaartite" because Olmiite had not been "discovered" then.
So: great photo but very debatable id.
Pierre]]> Pierre Rondelez Mineral Photography Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:23:21 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,277124,277124#msg-277124 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,277124,277124#msg-277124 www.newryqs.com]
Many of Franklin's treasures are in international collections, both public and private, and the Museum would like to include images of as many great specimens as possible. Publication date is anticipated for the Autumn 2014 Franklin Gem and Mineral Show.]]> Van King Mineral Photography Sun, 25 Nov 2012 22:23:30 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,276687,276687#msg-276687 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,276687,276687#msg-276687
After a significant attempt at documenting my collection I am still not happy with the end result! I am looking at the images on my iPad and they are not appearing as sharp or as crisp as I was hoping the would be. I have attempted many thing, have a tripod and full lighting setup and wondering if it might be down to the limitations of the equipment.

I am using a canon EOS 500D with a 18-55mm lens that comes with the camera, and a 50mm F2.8 DG Macro lens. I tend to use 1/10 shutter speed, F14 and ISO200-400 but these can vary slightly - any advice would be great!

Thanks

Tony]]> Tony H. Gill Mineral Photography Thu, 10 Jan 2013 03:06:08 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,275875,275875#msg-275875 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,275875,275875#msg-275875
I am trying to find the best setting to take a proper mineral picture. Any Suggestions?

I been playing around with it a bit & i encounter the problem of loosing depth of field, any way to correct this?

I don't use the flash, i use a lens hood & my daylight lighting setup.

Any hints on taking proper mineral pictures would be much appreciated.

Michael.]]> Michael Adamowicz Mineral Photography Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:31:26 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,273963,273963#msg-273963 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,273963,273963#msg-273963
[www.mindat.org]]]> Tony Peterson Mineral Photography Thu, 18 Oct 2012 20:38:02 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,271831,271831#msg-271831 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,271831,271831#msg-271831 Jaclyn Murray Mineral Photography Sun, 23 Sep 2012 22:24:41 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,270641,270641#msg-270641 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,270641,270641#msg-270641 Does anyone have any experience with Macnification and can thus tell me how to reduce the number of MB's ?
Bill]]> Bill Lechner Mineral Photography Tue, 11 Sep 2012 23:33:03 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,269083,269083#msg-269083 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,269083,269083#msg-269083
Does anyone have a photo or photomicrograph of stokesite from Roscommon Cliff, Cornwall (type locality). My understanding was that there was only one specimen known from the location for many years (in the Cambridge University collection), but that additional specimens have been 'rediscovered' at the locality recently? Anyone confirm this, and better still post a photo?

Ben.]]> Ben Grguric (2) Mineral Photography Thu, 23 Aug 2012 02:31:13 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,265555,265555#msg-265555 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,265555,265555#msg-265555
Have any of you found an easy way around this before?]]> Jenna Mast Mineral Photography Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:17:26 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,264914,264914#msg-264914 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,264914,264914#msg-264914 Only a maximum of two photos per photographer (excuse me for including one of my own, it's a bit awkward, I know...).
If you have a suggestion for a photo to be included please reply in the other topic: Best of Mindat micro photos talk pages.
Have fun!

Jean-Marc Joannet	© JM. Johannet

Jean-Marc Johannet	© JM. Johannet

Canon Ixus 500, Minolta bellows, Meiji SW10x, Canon 35mm 2.8 RMS, CombineZ

Matthias Reinhardt	© Matthias Reinhardt

Matthias Reinhardt	© Matthias Reinhardt

Info will follow.

Stephan Wolfsried	© Stephan Wolfsried

Stephan Wolfsried	© Stephan Wolfsried

Nikon Coolpx 8400, Zeiss Discovery V12, Helicon Focus

Christian Rewitzer	© Christian Rewitzer

Christian Rewitzer	© Christian Rewitzer

Canon Powershot A629, Zeiss Discovery V12, Helicon Focus

Elmar Lackner	© Elmar Lackner 2009

Elmar Lackner	© Elmar Lackner 2009

Canon EOS450D, Leica S8 Apo, CombineZ

Fred Kruijen	© Fred Kruijen

Fred Kruijen	© Fred Kruijen

Sony Alpha 350, bellows, Olympus Zuiko 20mm f2.0, CombineZ

Dominik Schläfli	© 2008 D. Schläfli.

Dominik Schläfli	© 2010 Dominik Schläfli

Canon EOS10D, Olympus SZX12, 1x PlanApo objective, CombineZ

Enrico Bonacina	© Enrico Bonacina

Enrico Bonacina	© Enrico Bonacina

Info will follow

Volker Betz	© Volker Betz

Volker Betz	© Volker Betz

Canon EOS400D, bellows, Canon macro 38mm, Helicon Focus

Gerhard Niceus	© geni 2012

Gerhard Niceus	© geni 2011

Olympus E30, Olympus bellows, Zeiss Luminar 25mm, Zerene Stacker

Harjo Neutkens	© Harjo

Harjo Neutkens	© Harjo

Canon Powershot A540, B&L SZ-7, Euromex phototube, CombineZ

Yaiba Sakaguchi	© Yaiba Sakaguchi

Yaiba Sakaguchi	© Yaiba Sakaguchi

Olympus E-5, tube(EX-25 x3), OM ZUIKO Auto-Macro 38mm

Vítězslav Snášel	© Vítězslav Snášel

Canon Powershot A530, Helios reverse lense, Zenit objective, CombineZ

Jean-Claude Dol	©

Jean Claude Dol	©

Nikon D5000, Leica S8 apo

Auke Bleeker	© A. Bleeker

Auke Bleeker	© A. Bleeker

JVC MC500, Raynox MSN505, CombineZ

Robert Meyer	© 2010 ROM

Robert Meyer	© 2010 ROM

Info will follow

Yannick Vessely	© Yannick Vessely

Yannick Vessely	© y vessely

Canon EOS30D, bellows, Nikkor 35mm, CombineZ

Frédéric Hède	©

Frédéric Hède	©

Info will follow

Tony Peterson	© Tony Peterson

Tony Peterson	© Tony Peterson

Info will follow

Pierre Rondelez	© Pierre Rondelez

Pentax K100D, Pentax bellows, Pentax 50mm 1:1.7 reverse, CombineZ

Fritz Schreiber	©

Fritz Schreiber	© Fritz Schreiber

Nikon D70, Wild M420 macroscope, Helicon Focus

Matteo Chinellato	© Chinellato Matteo

Matteo Chinellato	© Chinellato Matteo

Canon 40D, bellows, Zeiss Luminar 40mm, Helicon Focus

Michael Pfeil	© Michael Pfeil

Michael Pfeil	© Michael Pfeil

Info will follow

Guy Bernadi	© G.Bernadi

Guy Bernadi	© G.Bernadi

Info will follow

Rafa Muñoz Alvarado	© Rafa Muñoz Alvarado

Canon EOS40D, Nikon CF 5x ,bellows, Nikon P 10/0.25

Frank de Wit	© Frank de Wit

Canon EOS450D, Olympus bellows, Zeiss Luminar 40mm, CombineZ

Vincent Bourgoin	© Vincent Bourgoin

Vincent Bourgoin	© Vincent Bourgoin

Info will follow

David M Maietta	© DMM

Info will follow

Petr Fuchs	© Petr Fuchs

Petr Fuchs	© Petr Fuchs

Info will follow

Stefan Schorn	© Stefan Schorn

Canon G6, Zeiss Stemi 2000C, Zeiss 52mm universal adapter, Helicon Focus

Joy Desor	©

Cannon EOS7D, Nikon U series

John Jaszczak	© Jaszczak

Leica EC3, Nomarski differential interference contrast, Olympus PMG3 microscope

Branko Rieck	© BRK

Branko Rieck	© BRK

Nikon D7000, WILD M420 Macroscope, Zerene Stacker

R. Tanaka	© R. Tanaka

R. Tanaka	© R. Tanaka

Nikon D3, Nikon Multiphot, Zeiss Luminar 25mm

Sylvano Iob	©

Sylvano Iob	©

Canon S5, Leica Mocrozoom 1x objective, CombineZ

Igor Dolinar	© I. Dolinar

Info will follow.

Marko Burkhardt	© M. Burkhardt

Info will follow.

Germano Fretti	© L.C. 2011

Info will follow.

Jean Marie Laurent	© Jean-Marie Laurent

Info will follow.

Pascal Collet	© Chollet Pascal

Info will follow.

Alesha Siegel/ Jean Sendero	©

Info will follow.

Harald Schillhammer	©

Info will follow.

Michael Reicht	© ReMi

Info will follow.

Saul Krotki	© Saul Krotki 2004

Info will follow]]> Harjo Neutkens Mineral Photography Sun, 01 Jul 2012 18:03:28 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,264563,264563#msg-264563 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,13,264563,264563#msg-264563 After stacking I use my Nikon Capture NX2 (not photoshop!) to resharpen and smoothly change colours so that it looks like the original specimen.
I`m satisfied with the pic, watch it on my LCD screen and add it to mindat.

Then I`m wondering. The sharpness has gone - well this happens due to resizing - but more and more often the colours have changed even when watching it with the same LCD.

Take this one as example: [www.mindat.org]
While reworking its ok, maybe a bit too greenish but I can live with it. Adding it on mindat and its waaay to red!
Am I doing something wrong???]]> Christian Auer Mineral Photography Fri, 29 Jun 2012 17:34:51 +0000