New Pen & New Backdrop

[SteveAxelrod]

I've been wanting to try a white satin background for my pen photos and this Majestic Jr rollerball seemed like the perfect candidate to give it a try. I'd like to know what everyone thinks about this background as compared to my typical framed with black velvet background photos. Thanks!

 

[PenPal]

Rather than flat on paper etc angled at a slope supported one end can give separation.Using one light either side and a lighter strip light on top cancels most of your disturbing shadows. If you would forgive this ordinary example of what I do repetitively. This is using stuff I had to indicate how it comes up.Steve if you send me a pm with your phone number and E Mail I will send you pics of my ever so simple set up.

Kind regards.

Peter

 

[Woodchipper]

I tried taking photos with a white towel as a background. I found that going to a light grey or a pastel color gave a better contrast. White background with white pens doesn't offer enough contrast, IMHO. Those are great looking pen blanks!

 

[Talltim]

Rather than flat on paper etc angled at a slope supported one end can give separation.Using one light either side and a lighter strip light on top cancels most of your disturbing shadows. If you would forgive this ordinary example of what I do repetitively. This is using stuff I had to indicate how it comes up.Steve if you send me a pm with your phone number and E Mail I will send you pics of my ever so simple set up.

Kind regards.

Peter

Peter,

I would be very interested in seeing your ever so simple set up as well.

 

[mark james]

I prefer the lighter background. I recently started using a used paper holder like this (mine is metal): https://www.staples.com/Deflecto-Mini-Tabletop-Sign-Holder-20005RT/product_291450.

I draped my fabric over the top, with two square pen blanks under the front of the fabric. This allows me to ditch the pen holder but still get an angle shot.

I do love how you frame your photos - a nice feature.

 

[SteveAxelrod]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. These photos were just snapshots I took to test the background. I just laid the background on a flat surface put the pen on top and used ambient light. The photos turned out pretty nice considering. Next test will be done using my light box.

 

[gbpens]

Steve, shadows aside I would go with a little more contrast for that pen. Perhaps a silver or grey satin or even velvet background would offset the pen better than white.

 

[TattooedTurner]

I like it a lot more than the black, although a different color would probably be more suitable for a white pen.

 

[magpens]

Hard to say. . It depends on the pen.

This pen is very nice !!

But I think the background is too much like the pen ... not quite suitable in this case, IMHO

 

[Jim15]

I no expert by any means but I think I would use the light background for darker pens and the dark background for the lighter pens.

 

[OZturner]

Great Pen Steve.
I can see the edges of this "Light Toned Pen, on this background, than I can with some of your Darker Pens, on the Dark Velvet Background.
Regards,
Brian.

 

[randyrls]

I like it a lot more than the black, although a different color would probably be more suitable for a white pen.

Hobby / Craft stores sell felt sheets in various sizes and colors. These make a good back drop for pen photos. Fabric shops sell cloth in various colors with a satin finish.

I also have an invisible stand to hold the pen. A small piece of thin wood with a pin thru it. The pin goes thru the felt and into nib (remove the ink fill).

 

[Jplupercio_CSUSA]

Pen looks great! Very nice Job!