Sharps B&W

[PRSearls]

Here is a shot of my Sharps and given a black & white treatment in Nik Silver Efex Pro 2. I do little B&W so I'd appreciate your suggestions and comments. I like this version better than the color image; it seems more appropriate to the subject. A buffalo robe would be a good backdrop but I don't have one so the "Indian" blanket will have to do.

Paul S

[rpcrowe]

I like this a tad better than the color version. I think that may be because the color version has light vignette.

Somehow, I would like to see the cartridges shown in another way (but, I cannot think how) because they do not give the impression of being the massive cartridges that the are.

[PRSearls]

How is this? I'm not sure about this border. It may be too detracting. I don't have much experience in this area.

Paul S

[teokf]

Hi Paul
I didn't like the first image. I find the robe as the backdrop to be distracting that I almost missed the bullets. Maybe if you want to show the robe, try putting the robe in another position.

the second image is real good. I really like it. The intricate design of the rifle with the empty and life bullets with the sepia tone made the image outstanding. I wonder if the image would evoke some other feelings if the life bullets were standing and the empty shells lying down.

[Wavelength]

I liked the second image very much...the mild tone suits well

[Downrigger]

The second image is nice - imparts sense of story. The first is challenged by the richness of the blanket pattern, in which the rifle threatens to get lost - in that shot, I would look for a PP path to get the rifle and blanket out from each others feet, tone-wise but that might not be easy.

[bnnrcn]

I like the second one very much...#1 is very crowded with patterns and bullets are nearly lost in the picture.

[rpcrowe]

I like this a tad better than the color version. I think that may be because the color version has light vignette.

Somehow, I would like to see the cartridges shown in another way (but, I cannot think how) because they do not give the impression of being the massive cartridges that the are.

Yes that is exactly what I was aiming at. IMO photographing (the term "shooting" may be taken out of context here) long arms is quite difficult in that their length to height ratio is quite large. Showing the entire length of the weapon shows it as a very small width/height.

A closeup image of the trigger/action area has more impact because you can really see more detail in the weapon.

Of course, then there are the massive cartridges to consider.

What is the purpose of the screw between the triggers? I would guess that this would adjust the trigger pull of the firing trigger...

[John 2]

Second one for me as well. It's so difficult to control the highlights when you are photographing metal parts but you have made a good job of it here.

[PRSearls]

The screw between the "double set triggers" adjusts the forward trigger's pull. It is normally set to a very low pull but not too light so that a jar to the weapon could cause it to fire. This Sharps' 51 inch length is a challenge to photograph; the rifle weighs about 13 pounds... like lugging around a super telephoto on a big tripod. It has a lot of "reach" though. Long distance shooters can hit targets at 1,000 yards (not me).

Paul S

[rpcrowe]

BTW: I do like the sepia and borders on the second print. I also use NIK software and think that NIK Silver Efex Pro is great!

Imagine what a monster the .50-90 cartridge would be!