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to upload to this web site or put on your blog? If you photograph, do you photograph standing up, laying down on a flat surface, on an easel, etc? TIA!
I used to take pictures of all my cards as it was quicker than scanning, and then my camera took a dive, so now I am back to scanning. When I was taking photos of them, I would lay mine down, but plenty of people stand thiers up. I have seen a lot of people set up a great scene with all the supplies etc.. I think that it is really up to you how to do it, whatever you are comfortable with.
I used to scan mine in, then I noticed how nice the photographed cards looked. The embellishments and layers showed up better and I could get a better idea of how the card was constructed. I photograph mine now.
I photograph my cards. I was standing them up but lately have been laying them flat on a pale cardstock ( white, light blue, ivory). Interesting thing, my camera takes the best picures...truer colors.. when I set it on the Flower setting in Best shot.(Casio digital).! Sometimes, I struggle with getting a good shot and sometimes (I have to admit) the camera seems to improve my work..Good luck finding a good way for you.
the flower setting it the macro setting on your camera. great for taking close ups and showing detail. if you use a camera i highly recommend shooting with macro on.
I photograph my cards: macro setting, no flash. I'm still trying to find the best setup (without investing in a lightbox). What's been working for me is to stand the card up with pieces of 12x12 cs underneath and behind (usually white unless the card itself is white, then I use a contrasting color). Lots of bright light from all angles (I set it all up under my kitchen overheads, and shine my natural spectrum desk lamp right up on the card). Photo editing software really helps to make color corrections, crop, etc. I just upgraded to Photoshop Elemets - can't wait to play around with it!
I photograph my because if I wanted to scan them I would first have to find the manual that came with the printer and that would probably take all afternoon.
__________________ Joyce
Remember - never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.
Fan Club Member
I photograph my cards. I was standing them up but lately have been laying them flat on a pale cardstock ( white, light blue, ivory). Interesting thing, my camera takes the best picures...truer colors.. when I set it on the Flower setting in Best shot.(Casio digital).! Sometimes, I struggle with getting a good shot and sometimes (I have to admit) the camera seems to improve my work..Good luck finding a good way for you.
I have a Casio digital. I'm going to have to remember to change to setting to Flower. Thanks!
Anyway, I lay my cards either on a white or purple background and snap the pic as I'm standing over the card.
I always take photo's! I don't like the look of my scanned cards, the colours usually get skewed (at least in my scanner), bows get squished, ribbon ends move to where they shouldn't be, and all dimension is lost ... I have a canon rebel digital and LOVE it!
oh, I usually stand my cards up on my deck railing in the morning to take my pics using the macro setting. If it's not so great weather, I'll either wait until a nicer day, or use white cardstock pieces in the window. I want to make my own photo thing ... one day when I have time!
Photographing using my digital camera. I don't own a scanner so that is not an option. My problem is getting good natural light since I live in a partial earth home. I always photograph in the daytime and usually set my card on white cardstock or even take shot of it outside sometimes. Every so often I just take a pic of my card on the dinig room table.
It's very easy to edit and adjust color/brightness using a photo editing setup on your computer. It still seems that the colors are never really exactly like they are in real life but pretty close most of the time.
I always photograph mine, too. I like the results best when I use my light tent. It's a pain to drag out, though, so I try to have at least 3 or more cards done before I get it out and take photos. :mrgreen:
Hi,
I photograph...use an easel with some kind of backdrop.
I have several pieces of material about 24" by 24" that I use from lace to remnants depending on the card.
I take all my pics at my craft table with my craft light on camera flash off and my camera is set in Macro. This technique dose not create too many shadows and the colors remain true.
Plus there is no resizing or white space that I get with my scanner... which always challenges me..LOL
I take several pics and upload the best shot to my gallery.
For the most part it boils down to what folks are most comfortable to use.
I just see more versatility with my little Cannon PowerShot...well not little to today's standards on digital cameras..LOL.. and I come from Kodak country...LOL
Barb
I photograph mine lying down on black card stock as it matches the black background on my blog. I would love to do them standing on a nice easel but 1 - i haven't got one and 2 - i have no space where i could set the scene!!
I photograph my cards. I've been lying them down on my closed Mac Book (white) to take the pictures, but I just bought some white felt, so I'll use that moving forward.
I photograph my cards. I photograph them at my desk at work, because there is always a lot of lighting. I set my cards on an old desk callendar (The kind where you have a different sheet for each day that you pull off.) A cheap easel. I usually put a piece of white cardstock behind the card.
For the person who said she has no place to set up for photography. I use a folded cardboard student project board. Picture a big tri-fold card make of white cardboard. It is very sturdy, folds up to about 15x18 inches so it is easy to store. That gives you an uncluttered background and two sides. Another one or a piece of white cardstock can be your base. It makes a nice portable instant photo studio.
I don't like the look of scanned photos at all... it really washes them out and takes away the dimension.
I always photograph mine - either standing or laying down depending on the light source. I prefer a nice bright natural light from a window but at night or on a dark day I'll use a light. I taped a large piece of white drawing paper behind my stamp surface and I'll stand the card up and prop a piece of white cardstock up along side of it to reflect the light. I should put one on the surface also.
Soon I hope to get an Ott light or something similar instead of the little desk lamp I've been using ~ it gives off too much heat!
I also use the macro setting (usu. a flower symbol) and no flash.
It's good to think about the angle of your card also. If you have a lot of dimension or embossing or glitter, you might want to alter the angle to make it more visible.
Thanks Ladies, for all of the great responses. I was really interested in this question too, since I have never taken a picture of a card yet. Now I know that I will be using my camera, just have to figure out where to set it up for the best light, at the best time of day.
It's funny how someone asks a question that someone else is thinking about.
I like using a camera with a light box. even though it's small it's a pain if you don't have room. But it does let you move the lights around to get good even lighting on your subject. Photoshop really helps to get the colors right.
I photograph mine and I usually kneel because I put them on the dining room table. I just use 2 pieces of scored PTI White Cardstock and stand them up and 1 piece underneath my little easel I purchased at Joann's for about under $4.00.
Thanks everyone (especially OP for asking this question). I was trying a search to find tips for this today, but I wasn't getting what I wanted in the results. Turns out that all I had to do was keep on reading the message board!
I was having a lot of trouble with the clarity of my photos and I haven't uploaded any of them because of it. I can't wait to try some of these ideas so I can get my gallery started.
I scanned my first few, but I didn't like how they looked so I started photographing them. I usually find a place in my house with good light, stand the card up, and zoom in as close as I can to get the best image.
__________________ Ellen View My Gallery If you are ashamed to stand by your colors, you had better seek another flag.
~Author Unknown
Do you photograph or scan your cards...
Photograph both ways
when I set it on the Flower setting in Best shot.(Casio digital).! Sometimes, I struggle with getting a good shot and sometimes (I have to admit) the camera seems to improve my work..Good luck finding a good way for you. 
