Photography Thread

[#1]

So a very savvy fellow Etsian a.k.a Alex from http://www.etsy.com/shop/woodenaht suggested that I start this thread. He likes my photography I suppose.

I will try my best to help everyone out, so shoot away!

Rich

[Former_Member]

Hi Rich! I LOVE your photos and your products are beautiful!

Any corrective crtiticism for my photos? I could use a little help with those!

TIA!
Dena

[Former_Member]

Sizzlestrapz - your photos are amazing!
Do you have any recommendations for mine? I have a Canon G10 and a light tent, but I have trouble getting nice white backgrounds. Just curious of any critiques you (or anyone!!) have of my photos in general and how I can improve them. Thanks!

[Former_Member]

For George and Lisa from KeepsakeToys
Nice shop, cute products!
I do see that the contrast between the toy(s) and background is low and I guess you have had your share trying to fix it on the editor. I also see the yellowish tinge in some pics and some pics need a little sharpening.
Let me address the 2 questions:
1. To get true colors:
A. I understand that you are using a light box and trying to get a shadowless image which we all product photographer aim for. Instead of placing the light box in the sun I would break the rule and put the toys in direct sun on a white background/foam board. This will give you a harsh shadow....a no no in photography!.. however sometimes that may improve the tone and color that you are trying to achieve. Whether in auto or manual mode, if your exposure meter is centered the pic should have a good exposure.

B. Use your manual settings or any other setting to get 3 pics, one under exposed, one over exposed and one just right. Use the photoeditor to extract the image with the best colors and place it over the overexposed pic....hence getting a light/white background and a product picture with desirable colors/tones. Camera settings ... I use manual settings, maybe a shutter of 1/150 and aperture of 5.6 or 6.3 may be a good start....try various apertures....look at the exposure meter to judge the exposure. ISO can be in the 100-200 for outdoor. ....I am not sure if you use auto or manual settings.

2. For a white background a foam board would be good. One way I achieved a light gray background is by using a white fabric under the product, then gradually raising it in the background. This gives a gradual grey background.
Did you want to try a black or dark background to contrast with the toys?
I hope this helps...let me know if you need anything clarified
thx
Rich

[Former_Member]

Sizzlestrapz,

I need a critique on my photos and how can I improve them. I have a Kodak EasyShare CD82 12 Mega Pixels. I am selling upcycled liquor and wine bottle lights, so I am taking pictures where I don not have the craft lights plugged in and also with it lighted. You have done such a tremendous job helping everyone, how do you get YOUR work done.
Greatly Appreciated Lisa D

[KeepsakeToys]

Rich,

Thank you so much for your response. We use the manual mode because we found that with the auto mode each picture is lighted slightly differently. Perhaps it has to do with the adjustments in regards to lighting that the camera makes each time we take a picture.

We will try direct sunlight and we will try putting some kind of filter (white fabric or piece of translucent paper) between the sun and the object. We will see what kind of results we get. And thank you for your suggestions for settings. We will put that in practice as well.

We considered using a darker gray as the background, but decided against it. I think lighter background will be much more flattering for our wooden toys and will keep the store looking lighter overall.

Thanks again. We are planning a big photo session on Wednesday and we will see how it turns out.

Lisa A.

[Former_Member]

George and Lisa from KeepsakeToys
You are welcome. That's one reason I like the manual mode. I think the direct sunlight (without any screen) should give you interesting results....so try taking a bunch of pics in that setting.....you will probably need to reduce the aperture to f7.1
....if you decide on using a grey background, please keep in mind that you can position a white background and lighting to get a gradual grey
all the best!
Rich

[TheFamilyJewelsWI]

Hi Rich, You are such a dear for helping all of us! THANK YOU!!

I use picasa and fotofuze. I shoot outdoors on white posterboard. You had a thread way back about putting light under the jewelry. I don't quite get it but want to try it.

I know I still have work to do. Can you take a peak and tell me if I am on the right track?

[Former_Member]

Hi Rich!
I like your photos and your shop!
Can you look my photos? I use Nikon Coolpix 14 Mpx. I work without any special light, only sun light near window. I'm so sorry for my gently english ;)

Thank you!
Nuta

[overthefenceart]

Black and White!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTE4OTEzNDV8MjcyMDkyODE0NQ/black-and-white-prints

[Former_Member]

I am very frustrated with my pictures! I don't have many problems when I am taking pictures of the flat glass tiles but everything else is hit and miss. I usually have to spend a lot of time editing the picture just to have something that is OK. I have a lot of trouble with the pieces with domed glass - especially the earrings and rings.

I use a 10,2 megapixel camera on macro setting with 2 desk lamps and the room light to illuminate my jewelry. I place the jewelry on either a light background or a green background and then use Corel Paintshop Pro X4 to remove the background, add a white layer and a drop shadow. I usually tweak the brightness and contrast as well.

My problem is either the picture isn't crisp enough or it is too dull or I have light spots from the reflection of the light bulbs. I have tried using white boards to bounce the light off so I don't get the reflection. I tried standing up the piece but then there is a shadow around the rim and the piece seems dull.

I even tried a suggestion to use wax paper to make a home made light box that woudl diffuse the light and get rid of the reflections but then the item was too dark. aaaaaaargh.

I see other people who sell pendants like mine have gorgeous pictures but I don't know how to achieve that without buying special equipment or a much better camera with low-light options.

Is there anything I can do photo guru?

[TheFamilyJewelsWI]

Hi Brenda. I too had trouble with glare. I stand my tile up with museum wax. I use natural light. I make a little tent with 8-1/2 x 11 card stock. I put my camera inside the tent. I use the timer for the shot. Very cheap and works great. I use picasa to crop the photo.

[TheFamilyJewelsWI]

BTW, I have not fixed all my pendants. Some still show the glare.

[Former_Member]

hi rich,
Could you take a look at my pictures and give any advice? I took my pictures with daylight and one reflecting sheet on the other side.
My newer pics are on white background - i think this works better...
Can you take a look at my pics and give me some more tips?

thanx a lot
gudrun

[Former_Member]

Sherry Snider from MyDistinctDesigns
http://www.etsy.com/listing/107062210/antique-green-crystal-necklace-swarovski

This one is very well taken. I would recommend taking the jewelry pictures in similar setting. also, the images need sharpening. That would do real justice to your beautiful work!

Good work :) Keep it up !

[Former_Member]

hello rich,

what about me and my photographs? can you give me some advices?

thanx a lot
gudrun

[Former_Member]

Hi Rich,
In the UK, we have had the clocks go back an hour and the hours of daylight and reduced incidence of daylight over here mean i'm struggling to get days where i can reliably take good pictures. I use Gimp to edit my pictures but any suggestions you have would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
sam

[Former_Member]

Oh dear Rich, I just read Alex's thread and I fear you are talking about me! Don't feel like you wasted time on me please! While it might not look like I'm making progress on my shop, I am right now in the middle of retaking all of my photos per your suggestions... then I have to edit them per your suggestions... You will see progress I promise! Its just going to take a few days perhaps a week to implement as photo taking is not as easy as it looks! ...At least for me! Again I want to thank you for your time and expertise!!!! You have been a great help! You will see!

[Former_Member]

Jo, it is definitely not you. Please don't feel that way. I am waaay behind answering questions which i love to do but the holiday season is really making me multi task and you must know how we guys are at multi tasking!

I will get to all, I promise...I am juggling at the moment :)

[Former_Member]

Sizzlestrapz,

Thank you so much for doing this for everyone. Can't wait to hear what you think! Your photos are just great!

[Former_Member]

Oh Yay!!! Great thread I have 12 pages of info to plow thru hopefully I can make the most of my Canon Rebel T3 by the time I'm done with all of the reading :)

[LaurelAndOctavia]

Great thread - having the comments with the picture examples are helpful. Any critique of my photos would be appreciated!

[SeagullSmithJewelry]

Hi I just found this thread and would like some advice as to which photo fix program is the best I have been using Kodak easy Share, Picmonkey and Fotofuze. Is there one that allows you to sharpen and get the background white in the same place? . I keep doing my cropping and enhancing on pic monkey but then have to go to Foto fuze to get the white backgrounds. I usually take my shots on a white background using a piece of paper or a white porceline plate, but when I use the close up (tulip) setting I can never get close enough. Then when I try to crop it and get more detail it turns out fuzzy. It takes forever to get 5 shots that are half way decent. I am constantly trying to improve my shots, but sometimes nothing seems to work. Is it me or my camera?? Can you looka at my shop and help me out? Thanks Ellen

[Former_Member]

Hi Ellen, I use fotofuze only. Why do you need to crop out your image first if you are already using a white background?

Sorry for answering this question... I have no intentions to hijack this thread. Just thought since I use fotofuze for all my pictures, I would just help to answer this question.

[SeagullSmithJewelry]

Hi Yini even though I use a white background I often get a gray or pale blue cast to the picture and want it cleaner looking. I like my lemon lime wire wrapped picture but couldn't get a great pic of it on white even with fotofuze.

Ellen

[AGemAmour]

Hi, Can you please take a look at my shop too. I am struggling with pictures. I have been taking and retaking them. I am using the light box but somehow the pictures are still not sharp and the colors of the stones are somewhat off. I use the Macro setting on my camera. I edit my photos in Photoshop to brighten them a little bit but still can't get the desired effect. What type of props would be helpful in taking the jewelry pictures. Thank you for your time in advance.

Aaisha