Photographing...Rocks!

[OreCart]

I have to say, I never thought I would have to ask this, but what is the best way to photograph a rock? (Besides a pretty girl holding said rock!) LOL

The other day I had to do some photos, and while they came out okay, I think I made some mistakes. What are some pointers for photographing rocks?

 

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[Mine Shaft]

when i take photos of items to sell on ebay i use a flat green or felt background it works for me. Example.

 

[Bodfish Mike]

I have nothing to offer but I do like your idea of a purty girl holding it

 

[63bkpkr]

Contrast of colors, like a green CLOTH like felt/fur/microfiber or other color that compliments the basic rock colors for a background, remove shadows with fill in lighting (be sure it is a white light as some flashlights are not), sunlight is good IF you put up a white cloth overhead to block the harshness of the light but watch for shadows so use fill in light, using a stand (like a glob of clay) under the rock can minimize shadows by lifting it up off of the background.

A real camera vs a cell phone camera can improve the quality of the picture (more megapixels improves the clarity of the picture like going from a 4 to 12 megapixel or greater sensor) and of course having the camera on a tripod improves the quality of the photo clarity a great deal especially if the camera has a timer on it as pushing the shutter release button of the camera causes the camera to shake (or use a remote control)!

Little things make a big difference! If you must use a cell phone or do not have a tripod then brace both arms to eliminate your body movement/shaking (put a chair or small table between you/the camera and the rock and brace your arms on that chair or table, use the zoom feature to obtain a picture of the rock not all of the background and remove shadows). Any movement of the camera will blur the details of the photo, do all you can to eliminate any movement of the camera at the instant the picture is taken!!

With digital cameras taking lots of pictures is SO easy and then just delete the ones that are not the best. Experiment and have fun improvising!................63bkpkr

 

[Bonaro]

Late model cell phones have remarkable cameras and take great pics for having such a small imager. of course a real digital camera will do better. However, the best thing you can do is have good lighting. Non glaring reflected light coming from multiple directions to eliminate shadow is key.
Make sure the sample is dry, water or wetness will cause reflections.

 

[Terry Soloman]

I find that rocks with gold in them photograph much better than others.

 

[gold tramp]

I find that rocks with gold in them photograph much better than others.

Photo courtesy
PINTO MOUNTAIN ROCK WORKs
You gotta admit these hunks of ore photograph fairly nice.
Gt....

 

[N-Lionberger]

Cant be as bad as photographing glass objects.

 

[OreCart]

Hey thanks!

No worries about taking a photo with a cell phone...I don't have one! They say only 7% of the population does not, so I figure I am just 6% away from being a 1%'er! Now I just have to find that Mother Lode and I will get the other 6%! (LOL)

I do have a tripod and self-timer though, only because I take a lot of medicines that make me tremor. Over the years, despite having a crappy camera, and a $3 tripod bought at a thrift store, I have managed to take some decent photos like my wife's favorite, with us at a train station as if it we were in the 1940's. (You can be the judge on its quality though).

With the rock above, I think I made the mistake of wetting it down, and on another rock, using a secondary rock to position the main subject rock, which took away from THE rock I wanted to photograph. I loved the green felt, that is an excellent tip, so thank you.

Edited to say: This is the photo my wife loves, taken with a crappy point-and-shoot camera on a tripod with self-timer.

 

[RTR]

Photo light box easy/cheap to make

 

[Tpmetal]

Cant be as bad as photographing glass objects.

black or grey background is easiest with glass i find

 

[Doubter in MD]

My biggest problem with photographing rocks is getting them to hold still.

 

[russau]

My biggest problem with photographing rocks is getting them to hold still.

And they wont answer my questions or smile for the camara!

 

[arizau]

And they wont answer my questions or smile for the camara!

And they will not reveal their secrets until they are beaten (read as crushed) into submission.