Because you might have missed his great posts the first time around, we’re republishing some of Jim’s greatest hits here on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Originally posted a year ago, August 10, 2007.

I love chrome, I’ll admit it. As we wait for everyone to digest the last Tutorial Post (if you missed it, just scroll down and click on Getting the most from your DSLR-Part I Exposure Modes), I thought I’d share my addiction with you.

Confessions

I guess it was my racing days that got me hooked. the old adage was “if it doesn’t go, chrome it!” and some guys would spend their whole weeks allowance on chrome goodies. Me, on the other hand, would spend money trying to go even faster. I’d spend enough on a windage-tray that was buried in the oil-sump, that I could have bought 2-sets of chrome valve covers. But the chrome addiction still hit.

Enablers Everywhere

I’ve bought chrome handles, and chrome knobs, and chrome whats-it’s that I don’t even know what they do. Ikea has chrome lights, Sunbeam has chrome toasters…my doorbell-chime used to be a converted classic old CHROME Sunbeam toaster for heaven’s sake.

Today, while trying to find some nice handles for the storage in the hallway, I went to Lowe’s. I wanted something that wasn’t too frail looking. Something substantial but not overwhelming, and something, for christ’s sake, that wouldn’t grab at my pants-leg as I walked by.

I looked at all the hardware in the “normal” isle, but nothing stood out. Then I turned the corner….there it was, next to the Baldwin locksets, a wooden case filled with shiny & cool handles and knobs.

As I looked over the display, I saw them. these were it.

The Chromeaholic at Home

After I got home, and started to install my ill gotten gains, I thought “these would look cool in a photo!”

So, laying down my Makita (”Makitahhhh….I just met a girl named Makitaaaahhhh!!!!”…West Side Story this ain’t….) and grabbed up my gear.

Setting Up the Shot

I stuck the handles in my Photek light booth, to minimize reflections, and set up my Nikon SB-800s and my Nikon D200 on my Manfrotto tripod (Manfrotto sounds like an Italian expression of force…”Hey Sophia!… MANFROTTO!!!” ) but the results at first weren’t quite what I wanted.

I wanted CHROME (Manfrotto!!!)

The Photek, as it is designed to do, diffused the light, making my nice CHROME handles (Manfrotto!!) look like a satin finish.

Not to be.

Getting “Chromier”

So I pulled my SB800s and stuck them inside the Photek to make the chrome reflect as it was intended to do. No bumper off a ‘58 Buick Roadmaster ever looked chromier.

So here are a few shots from that experience, and tomorrow the handles go on the cabinets.

Manfrotto indeed.