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I can't seem to find that post that was here ages ago, the one that showed how to make your own little photo studio - it was a box that was white inside that it seems like lots of people use to take photos of their artwork to post online.
I cant' remember what it was called, otherwise I would do a search.
I personally think light and photo boxes are too cumbersome. Then you have to find the space to store them. I use fabric. You can see my photo tutorial here. I hope it is helpful to you. Super easy to use, easy to store, and cheap!
__________________ Patter
Mom to Adult Identical Triplets--a police officer, 3rd year medical student, and special education teacher
Wow, Patter. I always have trouble finding a clear spot on my table. Love this idea, really easy and inexpensive. Really loving the draped look too!
Thank you. You are TOO sweet! The piece of fabric I use I just recently cut in half. Now I have a piece draped over the back of my craft chair too. My "photo room" is downstairs and my craft room is upstairs. When I am doing tutorials, I have found it faster now to drap a piece of fabric over my desk and shoot photos as I work for those tutorials. It has been a lifesaver too. Next, I want to get a piece of lace. Lace looks so pretty too.
__________________ Patter
Mom to Adult Identical Triplets--a police officer, 3rd year medical student, and special education teacher
Thank you! White fabric such a great idea - I had been placing things on the windowsill before, I think I will try this idea on a chair instead - not sure if I have enough sunlight so if that doesn't work will try the other idea that Yvette posted.
I was looking around the house for a white piece of fabric and couldn't find one easily. So . . . I noticed the dogs pad - which is all white, and used that (new one of course).
Location: Where the water meets the sand in So Cali
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Patter, not only have you given a great photo tutorial...you've KILLED my "stop shopping" motto (well...AFTER I order my SU! for the month and my new DSLR camera!) by showing me that website for the SUPER cute personalized stamps! Oh my GOSH! I'm LOVING their designs! Poop...gonna have to spend a LITTLE more "mad money" I guess!
Patter, not only have you given a great photo tutorial...you've KILLED my "stop shopping" motto (well...AFTER I order my SU! for the month and my new DSLR camera!) by showing me that website for the SUPER cute personalized stamps! Oh my GOSH! I'm LOVING their designs! Poop...gonna have to spend a LITTLE more "mad money" I guess!
LOL! Sorry about that! They are CUTE stamps, aren't they? And glad you liked the tutorial too!
__________________ Patter
Mom to Adult Identical Triplets--a police officer, 3rd year medical student, and special education teacher
I sell on Etsy and really found I needed a light box to get good pictures so hubby and I built our own, just got some 2 x 4's cut to 12" and made a cube, and put a flat piece of wood on the bottom, I covered the sides of the cube (except for one, leaving it open) with several layers of white tissue paper then I got two goose neck lamps to put on either side. I'm thrilled with how it works! It's made a huge difference in the quality of my photos. It is a little cumbersome but I just store it in the garage and drag it out when I'm ready to shoot
I really debated posting this...not like I am a great photographer or anything...but this is VERY inexpensive...I use a sheet of poster board, scored in the middle. It cost me $1.
Here is a pic of what it looks like with a card. I do also have an Ott light over it and have it facing a natural light source (my window) as well.
I really debated posting this...not like I am a great photographer or anything...but this is VERY inexpensive...I use a sheet of poster board, scored in the middle. It cost me $1.
Here is a pic of what it looks like with a card. I do also have an Ott light over it and have it facing a natural light source (my window) as well.
That looks great to me! I'm not happy with scanning my cards.
I use 2 pieces of the white cardboard that comes in SU's Designer paper. I prop one up against the back of my stamping desk (it hides the ink pads....tee hee) and put one on the desk. I have a hutch style computer desk that I converted to a stamping desk. I have an under the counter light installed under the hutch. I take lots of picture's at night like this. You can look at my blog if you would like to see some. Elaine
just curious....when you have this light box, do the colors on your card come out the same color as the card IRL? I've just been using OTT lites on both sides when I take pictures but it's really hard to get the colors the same. I'm using an xTi Canon w/the flash off...
thanks!
just curious....when you have this light box, do the colors on your card come out the same color as the card IRL? I've just been using OTT lites on both sides when I take pictures but it's really hard to get the colors the same. I'm using an xTi Canon w/the flash off...
thanks!
I don't have a light box, but I take my pics with a DSLR without flash as well. To get my colors right, I edit using Picasa and it seems true to life after the color correction.
cool, I see they have Picasa for Mac, so I will have to download it. Do you just hold your card up to the computer screen until you get the colors to what looks the same?
thanks for sharing!
Nope, even easier. I just click on auto contrast and that usually does it. If I need to, I click auto color. I posted a pic of a card I made a few posts ago (#13). Check it out and see what you think.
Just thought I'd chime in quickly. I use Pam's method, but use a 1/2 yard of black velveteen I purchased to drape over whatever I can. I just use the overhead florescent lighting in the room, so I do have to correct some of the color in my photo editing software. For the most part, I'll just play around with the 'levels' adjustment until it looks right. I really prefer taking the photos outdoors, so I use this black cloth method if I'm photographing at night or during rain days.
Pam, my camera does not have an auto flash (that I know of anyway! LOL I have a BIG camera for someone who should read "camera's for dummies!). So anyway, I just leave it down for the pics.
I went with an auto color and auto contrast on the card in the end. I could only post 3 thumbnails, so I left it with that. Picasa is fun...heap (free!), and easy for the photo-challenged like myself!! I am sure there are other much better programs, but it works for me!
I personally think light and photo boxes are too cumbersome. Then you have to find the space to store them. I use fabric. You can see my photo tutorial here. I hope it is helpful to you. Super easy to use, easy to store, and cheap!
I also have Photoshop Elements 7.0. Do you have to resize your photos before posting them? It seems to take me forever to resize, then go to Paint to center, then upload. Is there an easier way to do all this? Thanks!
__________________ Sandy Exercise is a dirty word...Every time I hear it, I wash my mouth out with chocolate.
I'm the same way.....but I'm trying! I'd like to get the camera to do the work, so I don't have to adjust it online, but it appears that's not gonna happen! BOO! lol Thanks for all your help! We have a new grandson born yesterday a.m. - so I'll need to help w/the other g-kids this week, but I really need to try these things...out of time today! Gotta go shopping for newborn clothes! FUN! Oh, I asked my daughter what software she uses and it's a free one too.. Live Quartz...have you tried it?
THANKS again!
Quote:
Originally Posted by My3LittleMonkeys
Pam, my camera does not have an auto flash (that I know of anyway! LOL I have a BIG camera for someone who should read "camera's for dummies!). So anyway, I just leave it down for the pics.
I went with an auto color and auto contrast on the card in the end. I could only post 3 thumbnails, so I left it with that. Picasa is fun...heap (free!), and easy for the photo-challenged like myself!! I am sure there are other much better programs, but it works for me!
I also have Photoshop Elements 7.0. Do you have to resize your photos before posting them? It seems to take me forever to resize, then go to Paint to center, then upload. Is there an easier way to do all this? Thanks!
Sandy, if you run Windows there is a free resizing program. This one is for XP. I run Vista and had to download mine from a 3rd party program. It is FABULOUS! Just right click on your image, pick the size (I usually choose small) and then it makes a copy in your folder of the pic with the word SMALL after it so you know.
Pam, I have not tried Live Quartz but it sounds great! Congrats on the new grandbaby!!!
just curious....when you have this light box, do the colors on your card come out the same color as the card IRL? I've just been using OTT lites on both sides when I take pictures but it's really hard to get the colors the same. I'm using an xTi Canon w/the flash off...
thanks!
I have the same camera! Set your white balance to get truer colours. Put a piece of white cardstock in the same position as your card will be. Snap a picture. If you are on auto focus, it might not find anything to focus on. Put something small in the frame, focus on it, keep your camera the same distance from the cardstock, remove the object and snap the picture. Go to your menu and choose custom white balance. Making sure your white picture is on the screen (it should be if you went straight there), press set! That is it! Just be sure to reset it in each different lighting condition or press the WB button (on the back) and choose another lighting type (incandescent, fluourescent, outdoor) if you go In another room, outside or are taking pix of anything but your artwork. It is easier than it sounds. I've Never touched a DSLR before this one, have had no lessons or even training from the store and I figured it out in 5 minutes.
__________________ RebeccaEdnie Mixed Media Artist, Paper Crafter, Jewelry Designer SCSDirtyDozenAlumni Www.Boxofchocolatescrafts.Com YouNeverKnowWhatI’mGoingtoMake
I personally think light and photo boxes are too cumbersome. Then you have to find the space to store them. I use fabric. You can see my photo tutorial here. I hope it is helpful to you. Super easy to use, easy to store, and cheap!
Mine is collapsible! It is 14" square, folds down to14x14x4 including the lights. About $40 online including lights, not sure where, hubby bought it. Totally worth it! The backgrounds were grey and royal, yuck, so I use white fabric behind. For those of you choosing fabric, stay away from anything shiny or too thin. A cotton damask like mine is perfect. A tone on tone non-geometric pattern is best, lines sometimes do weird things to the eye and may mAke straight layers or sentiments look crooked. Try the drapery seection and or double/quadruple etc the Layers by folding if needed.
__________________ RebeccaEdnie Mixed Media Artist, Paper Crafter, Jewelry Designer SCSDirtyDozenAlumni Www.Boxofchocolatescrafts.Com YouNeverKnowWhatI’mGoingtoMake
I have the same camera! Set your white balance to get truer colours. Put a piece of white cardstock in the same position as your card will be. Snap a picture. If you are on auto focus, it might not find anything to focus on. Put something small in the frame, focus on it, keep your camera the same distance from the cardstock, remove the object and snap the picture. Go to your menu and choose custom white balance. Making sure your white picture is on the screen (it should be if you went straight there), press set! That is it! Just be sure to reset it in each different lighting condition or press the WB button (on the back) and choose another lighting type (incandescent, fluourescent, outdoor) if you go In another room, outside or are taking pix of anything but your artwork. It is easier than it sounds. I've Never touched a DSLR before this one, have had no lessons or even training from the store and I figured it out in 5 minutes.
WOW! This sounds like a good thing for a Sunday afternoon project!
Are you available if I need help?
Photographing your artwork - light or photo box??
white balance
