by Brian Bigelow, GunZoo co-founder

There are millions of gun pictures on the Internet these days.  Some are good, some not so good.  If you've tried to take pictures before you know how difficult it can be to get that "wow" shot.  As such, we'd like to provide you with some tips that will help you take a better photograph of your firearm.  Whether you’re using a sophisticated setup or a simple point and shoot I hope you’ll be very impressed with the quality of image you’re able to create.

Step 1 – Select the Firearm

If you’re reading this tutorial you probably have in mind what you intend to photograph.  Whether you’ve chosen and handgun or a long gun, these tips will serve you equally.  Once you’ve made your selection ensure that the firearm is PROPERLY CLEARED AND SAFE before proceeding. I prefer to ensure that the gun I intend to photograph is completely clean.  Today’s high resolution cameras may catch any dirt, lint or fingerprints left behind.

Step 2 – Choose a Background

You may spend more time on this than any other.  The goal is to select a background that will not distract from the subject of your shot.  Avoid backgrounds that are cluttered or that include extraneous items.  Be very mindful of what is behind the subject of your photo.  The simplest choice is to go with a solid color background, typically white or black.  A bed sheet or t-shirt may be all the background material you need.  If you’re feeling creative it’s certainly okay to include other items in the shot (for example, camo, accessories, knife, etc.), but never lose sight of what it is you want to the viewer of the picture to notice most.  Most importantly, please do everyone a favor and avoid including a mountain of laundry or a stack of dirty dishes in the background - it's easy to do but trust us, nobody wants to see that.  

Step 3 – Staging

Again, EVERY time a firearm is handled all gun safety rules need to be followed.  Immediately check the gun for a clear, safe condition and subsequently treat the gun as if it were loaded.  The goal of this step is to position the gun in way that will allow it to be photographed.  The easiest is to lay it flat on a horizontal surface.  More advanced methods could involve props or rigs that will hold the firearm desirably. 

Step 4 – Lighting

This is perhaps the most important step in taking a high quality picture.  The goal of this step, in its simplest form, is to ensure that the subject is adequately lit.  Professional photographers have very expensive equipment that will help them get exactly what they want.  For the rest of us, it’s easy enough to make do with some things we already have around the house.

a.       Almost all cameras will take a higher quality image when the subject is brighter.  If the subject is dark, digital cameras will have to simulate the use of highly sensitive film and will strain to gather the desired level of detail. 

b.      The on camera flash is very convenient but it rarely produces the best results.  The direct light on the subject is often reflected back into the lens producing a “washed out” effect.  Use this as a last resort.

c.       Daylight is your friend.  The brightest, truest light you’ll find is provided by the sun.  If you want your custom finish to be true to color in the photo, this is the way to go.  Should you decide to use daylight in your shot be sure to observe any shadow that may be cast.  It may still be necessary to “fill” in shadows with electric lighting. 

d.      Use desk or work lamps.  These will help surround the subject with light

Step 5 - Composition

Lastly, frame the subject and desired and take the shot!  Ideally the subject will take up as much of the frame as possible – don’t be afraid to get up close.

And there you have it.  A few tips on taking better photographs!  I look forward to seeing your photos in your GunZoo GunVault! 

Step 6 - Admire Your Work!

Below is a picture from Wilson Combat, who in my opinion presents some of the finest pictures out there.  The gun is definitely the focal point of the photo, though other items are in the picture.  The background is simple and interesting, and it doesn't distract from the subject of the photo.  The lighting is soft and even - it doesn't reflect or "glare" in the photo.  Most importantly, the gun is framed nicely, extending to the outer borders of the photo.  Don't be afraid to get close!

Good luck, and happy shooting (with a camera this time).  If you've got any tips or tricks, or awesome photos, line them up in the comments below - we'd love to see them!

For more info on managing your GunZoo GunVault please review the following videos:

Add guns to your GunVault: http://vimeo.com/28236735

Upload your own images of guns in your GunVault: http://vimeo.com/28235493

Tag Your Guns in Your GunZoo GunVault: http://vimeo.com/28236085