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I am interested in where people photograph their cards. Many people seem to have a studio set-up (11Valerie11, inkpad). Some people have coordinating card stock as a back ground. Is there a simple trick to this or is it really a studio with lights? How can I get my cards to show their best without spending money on camera equipment?
I do mine many different ways. I like to use my "Studio in a Box" for the best results. If I am in a hurry I just use 2 pieces of cardstock. I think your lighting and camera also play a big part in the quality of your picture. Good luck!
I've also had some problems with photos of cards not coming out quite as nice as I've hoped. So far, my best bet has been to use two pieces of neutral CS as a background and place a desktop light over the card. I stand back and zoom in with the camera to take the picture (no flash). I also saw how some people place their cards on an angle, and I like the way that looks, so have been doing that. If any one else has another tips, I'd love to know, too!!
I use my stove top with the vent hood light on, I place the card on white paper towel with a dish underneath for an slight angle and no flash on the camera.
I use my stove top with the vent hood light on, I place the card on white paper towel with a dish underneath for an slight angle and no flash on the camera.
I will have to try that out, your pics look great.
I also purchased the "Studio in a box" at Walmart and found that it works well. I set it up on my stamping table when I am ready to shoot, otherwise it is folded up in the corner.
I have tried lots of things too, what I do now is wait for the morning sun and use the corner of my china cabinet. It provides an all oak background with the side of a pretty antique plate I have sitting there, to add a bit of interest. Also no flash, and I use the flower setting on the camera.
Here's what I'm doing right now.. I'm always interested in improving.
I have a large artist's pad of white paper (large art paper) that I got from a dollar store (really kinda getto, but it works, and is bigger and studier than an 8 1/2x11). I take it outside and put it on my table on my deck when the sun is not directly on the deck (that's the most important part). You don't want direct light. A light, cloudy day is the best!
I open it up so the card sits inside and there is a white background and base. Then I kinda scoot the card around until I get an angle that shows mostly white background. I sit in the chair to take the picture so the camera is at "eye" level to the card.
Then I use the "macro" or "auto" setting on my digital camera, making sure there is no flash. I always take 3 or 4 to allow me to pick the best shot. Then I bring it in and put the SD card into my PC. I open the picture using Microsoft Office Picture Manager. I usually go into "edit pictures" then crop it down but leave a little white space around it. I go into "brightness" and try "auto adjust", if it looks weird, I can always undo or adjust it manually.
When it's just right, I save it into a file ready to be dowloaded. Voila!!!
The biggest thing is NON DIRECT Natural Light! If I have to do it inside I use no flash!
Somebody, somewhere, sometime here on SCS posted a link to a blog with instructions on how to make your own macro photo studio light box. I've been meaning to do this myself to photograph cards because I already have all of the stuff I'd need on hand.
I usually only take photos of other people's cards when I'm at a workshop or a meeting. For my own cards, I scan them. There are some VERY inexpensive all-in-one copier/scanners/printers out there now. When I got mine, it was $150. Now I see them for under $50! :O The only time the scanner doesn't work well is if I'm impatient and put the crystal effects or glitter on before it's dry! ;)
Location: between diaper blow-outs and baby dolls...the happiest place on earth! ;)
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Originally Posted by stampin' andrea
Somebody, somewhere, sometime here on SCS posted a link to a blog with instructions on how to make your own macro photo studio light box. I've been meaning to do this myself to photograph cards because I already have all of the stuff I'd need on hand.
Location: in my own little corner; in my own little world
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Originally Posted by stampin' andrea
Somebody, somewhere, sometime here on SCS posted a link to a blog with instructions on how to make your own macro photo studio light box. I've been meaning to do this myself to photograph cards because I already have all of the stuff I'd need on hand.
Most of mine lately have been taken at around 10:30 PM in my backyard. I have been sitting them on an arm of the chair with my flower/garden beds in the background!! Of course, this will all change in a couple of months when I have 5 foot of snow on my deck. LOL! Reading your thread to get "indoor" suggestions. Thanks for the thread!
Somebody, somewhere, sometime here on SCS posted a link to a blog with instructions on how to make your own macro photo studio light box. I've been meaning to do this myself to photograph cards because I already have all of the stuff I'd need on hand.
Location: prolly in my 'rubber room'... in the mid-west
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Originally Posted by stampin' andrea
Somebody, somewhere, sometime here on SCS posted a link to a blog with instructions on how to make your own macro photo studio light box. I've been meaning to do this myself to photograph cards because I already have all of the stuff I'd need on hand.
the studio in a box is basically 3 white panels, two lights and a double sided background cloth. The cloth is usually blue on one side and white on the other...You set it up on a table top, put the lights on the outside,,,they create soft or diffuse light(no more waiting for a cloudy day or sunrise) and you can shoot without flash usually. The price at Walmart is half of what I paid for mine at a photo store. Same goods basically.
They are used in photography for small items, jewelry photos and items that are shiny. They would work well for photographing cards I am sure...and most of the time the blue background would be your choice....It is designed to be "seamless" in that you don't "mush" it into the exact angle of the back panel but let it "flow". The Studio in a box is velcro fasteners to each side and when you are done and lights are cooled off, it all folds into a compact unit. about 18 x 18 with the lights in pockets on one large side.
Somebody, somewhere, sometime here on SCS posted a link to a blog with instructions on how to make your own macro photo studio light box. I've been meaning to do this myself to photograph cards because I already have all of the stuff I'd need on hand.
OK, now I know that scanning my cards will just not do. I had liked using scans cause the viewer gets a better look at the details. And it's all in the details, right? But I'm impressed with some of the galleries I looked at.
I found that the camera and it's settings make all the difference. I use a white towel and my ott-knock off lamp to take my pictures. I just drape the towel over whatever is on my craft table. Not as nice as some but much better since I got my Canon A570IS and found the right setting on it. Again, no flash. The Nikon I had before never turned out well, the colors were always wrong. Maybe I never found the right setting on that camera though.
Where do you photograph your cards?
