Know a good photo primer for online shots?

[Blackhorse]

I'm tired of seeing everyone else's photos looking so good...

Wait a sec, that's not it...exactly.

I'm tired of MY photos looking so crappy by comparison to others posted here. Yeah. That's it.

Does anyone know of a set of decent step by step guidelines in setting up, shooting and then posting images for online items like ours? I'm not looking for a 500 page manual here, just some comprehensive advise to set me on a little more professional level...maybe the 50 page version!

 

[Thomas Tkach]

Lighting is important. Most flashes mess with color and are ugly, but if you turn them off, the image needs a longer exposure and gets blurry.

Google is your friend

 

[huffelpuff]

Dave, it's highly dependent on what equipment you're using. If you're using a phone or iPad downloading one of the camera apps is usually your best bet. If its a digital camera then it's a matter of knowing what settings to tweak.

Jim

 

[Blackhorse]

Well, I prefer shooting outside in natural light. And I can always open up the aperture for more light.

I use an old Canon G3...a VERY capable digital with an excellent fast lens - with which I can do various auto settings or manual. But it doesn't have image stabilization...dang it! So I know a tripod would be a major asset.

But I've seen some guys bounce a flash off a white thing above the subject to even out shadows...and it can make a huge difference...with people shots. Don't know about pipes.

 

[Thomas Tkach]

You probably know more than I do. You can use multiple lights and diffusers to minimize shadows. Maybe you want some kind of small lighting tent? You can get a real one or use a box and some clothe.

 

[huffelpuff]

Nice I love canon! I'm not that familiar with the settings on the digital cams. I'm really old fashioned I much prefer film and worse black and white film at that. I'll poke through my notes and see what I can point you to on some basic set up stuff. I should have something for you by morning.

Jim

 

[Blackhorse]

I think I remember Scotties 22 saying something about a shooting box. Maybe that's what she meant?

 

[Blackhorse]

Film? OMG. I can't conceive of using film anymore...esp with wanting to list it online.


Note: on my recent trip to Carmel Valley the place we stayed had a great exhibit going on...including a bunch of Brett Weston signed pieces...pretty amazing stuff...circa 1940's.

 

[huffelpuff]

Here's a pretty simple DIY light box set up.
http://www.diyphotography.net/how-build-pvc-diy-photo-light-box/

You might also try messing with your white balance settings.
http://easybasicphotography.com/White-Balance.html

Jim

 

[Blackhorse]

Ohhh! The light box thing is way cool.

 

[huffelpuff]

Lol. Yeah I was hardcore into film due to my job. I took the pictures of evidence at certain kinds of crime scenes, and then devoloped them myself so as to reduce the chances of eveidence tampering. Then I got to piece the bones back together. As far as putting film online I still have old flattop scanners for that.

Brett Weston, nice never had the privilege to see his stuff in person. Some of it is absolutely phenomenal!


I thought you'd like that! Being the handy guy that you are.

 

[APKurt]

That DIY lightbox looks like a great idea! Adding that to my project list.

Thanks huffelpuff!

 

[RDPipes]

That's the same as I use, built it quickly and cheap and it's helped my
photo taking tremendously. Lighting is the other, had to really play with it and settings
at first but, got it pretty much locked in now and I never use a flash.

 

[Blackhorse]

In today's world, where incandescent lights are becoming semi-legal, one has to be concerned with the color of the light they use! There are 'natural' colored lights in most good stores and I like those as they mimic the color temperature of 'outside' light, being more white. Regular incandescent bulbs are very different. The fluorescent bulbs are greenish-yellow or some awefull thing. Even though white balence controls can help and color temperature corrections during digital 'processing' can also make a huge difference I like to start out as close to natural as possible.

I just don't want to end up with a dark blob on which edge or surface contours (if any) are unrecognizable. The white fabric light box, bouncing light around the object, would really help that. But I also like to set items into a 'scene' of natural and related objects, etc. like bark, moss, stone, lighters, fishing lures, coins, etc., etc., etc. So a little different approach might be required...unless...I considered all that extra hoo hah to be just like an extended aspect of the object and putting the whole business into the light box. That might be it!

Progress! Excellent!