Learning something seemingly every day

[Mike Buckley]

My task, which I thought would be very simple, was to photograph a serial number on my friend's guitar so he could use the image if needed purely for insurance purposes.

Much to my surprise, the serial number is engraved in black on a black headstock. As soon as I saw this, I seriously had no idea how to make it easily legible in a photo. The serial number is so well disguised in a typical viewing situation that when I initially looked at the proper area of the guitar, I didn't see the serial number. I was even resigned to removing two small panels on the back of the guitar with the hope that the serial number would be behind one of them.

Intuitively, when I try to make something stand out, I light whatever I want to display. In this case that would be the serial number. That was a miserable failure.

Then I wondered what would happen if I lit everything but the serial number. So, I added a reflector to the setup that brightened the flat part of the headstock but did not light the one part of the wood that is almost completely in shadow -- the serial number. Voila!

The experience proves that we can learn something every day, even when we're only photographing a serial number for insurance purposes.

[Dave Humphries]

If 'engraved', as in a 3D relief, I might try raking across it with a small light source very close to it - but you seem to have succeeded anyway - and been quite artistic with it!

[NorthernFocus]

Looks like you were the right guy for the job, Mike. I'd certainly have been at a loss.

[ST1]

Well thought out and executed Mike, lovely instrument too


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[Tronhard]

you have transformed an administrative task into a work of art!

Very creative on many levels!!

[madcrow]

Well done Mike, with your never give up attitude and knowledge, the result was never in doubt.

[Shadowman]

Nicely done, another elegant capture.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, everyone! Just to make sure everyone realizes that this photo really was made only for insurance purposes, there are too many faults I would not have accepted if it had been intended otherwise. Definitely not a work of art!

[Rita]

And this is where thinking outside the box came in handy.

[mknittle]

Thank you, everyone! Just to make sure everyone realizes that this photo really was made only for insurance purposes, there are too many faults I would not have accepted if it had been intended otherwise. Definitely not a work of art!

I noticed some things that were uncharacteristic of your images but discounted them as you said strictly for insurance purposes.
None the less an excellent image.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you to Rita and Mark!

[bnnrcn]

Very successful formula Mike