Can someone please help me with pictures!!
 

I am in desperate need of some tutorial advice on how to improve my pictures. I have blog that gets a few readers so for my readers I would love to give them good pictures of what I'm sharing. I've tried scanning and I don't think they're all that good. I'm trying to take photos of my cards and other projects - but in a word - they're HORRIBLE!! Does anyone have some advice for me? Can someone virtually teach me how to take better pictures? Visit my blog - you'll see what I'm talking about. The link is in my signature.

Thanks!

First let me say that mine are FAR from perfect, but rather than scan I usually use my camera. With the camera that I have (Canon Rebel XT) I should be able to take way better photo's than I do. Having said that, I always try to take them with a good "natural light", occasionally I even go outside. Keep saying that I am going to make one of those homemade light boxes, but that hasn't happened yet :rolleyes: (and who knows if it ever will). I will be watching this thread, hopefully to pick up some good tips myself!

Try standing your cards up and have something behind them.


Click her to see my blog to see what I mean.

http://jeansinkyhugs.blogspot.com

I use a old Sony camera that uses a Floppy disk. & I take the photo's in my stamp area.

I also use a program on our computer that will crop, resize photo's even brighten and darken them.

I would suggest that you use the close up setting on your camera. It should be the one that looks like a tulip. If possible, shoot near a window or somewhere that you can get a good amount of light. If you are taking a shot in a dimly lit room and using the flash, chances are you are going to have a lot of camera shake, which will make the picture look blurry.

i use the macro setting and no flash.

i also made one of the light boxes.

i am still working at improving mine as well, but they are a far cry better than they used to be.

good luck!

i found the directions for the light box here on SCS. i'll look to see if i can find it.

i use my photo editing, I do auto adjust,adn also crop them and try to make them as even as possible. I also do not use the flash.

oh and sometimes I put props in my photos to make them more interesting, but that should come after you have the basics down pat! Good luck, Melissa and hope this helps.

I am by no means good in the photo taking department, but I have noticed some improvement when I look back at some of my old photos (yikes!!).

For $50 I purchased the "Portable Lighting Studio" at Walmart, in the camera section. It's very portable and is essentially a fold up box with sheer sides. It comes with two adjustable lights and a desktop tripod. Using the tripod resulted in a huge difference - I just can't seem to hold the camera still!

Lighting is crucial - don't use your flash, turn off the overhead lights in the room and use the photo lights, or OTT lights as they cast a much better light. My camera is 7 mega pixels, but I've used ones with much less. Just make sure your camera is set to the highest quality photo (this means actually reading the owners manual!!). I've tried the macro setting on as well as off and have gotten some good photos both ways. Some of your scanned cards came out very well - I think it just depends on the type of card.

I can say I am thrilled being in the digital age - I would never be able to afford the film for all my photo mistakes. Just take LOTS of pictures with different lighting, backgrounds etc.

You can also try to create your own "photo studio". I haven't done this yet, but there's fairly simple instructions on this blog - under $10.00.
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07...to-studio.html

these are the directions i used...

it was very easy!

I used those directions too, but mine still didn't help. Probably the lights I used, just some desk lamps. Pictures still looked like you-know-what. I just crushed the box and threw it in the trash - back to the scanner. :rolleyes:

Wow - I just checked out Strobist and was very impressed!! I learned a great deal, but realized I need much more powerful lights that my measly 20W lights!!

I read that, too. What a great idea. I'm going to use a JoAnns coupon on an OTT light!

Thank you everyone for replying to my post. I'm going to work on this and get better pictures. I want a great blog, so I need great pictures.