Better way to photograph your projects

[wdcrvr1954]

Well, it took me a few times, But... Here goes.. When I tried to upload my project photo's onto this site before.. Well lets just say one word ( Blury, out of focus, Well you know! ) I use an older model Olympus Digital camera, # 535 zoom with 3.2 megapixels. Well I WAS using the camera with the flash on ( DON'T USE THE FLASH! ) Now I don't use the flash AT ALL for ANY of my project pics, I bought a MINI Tripod that they sell at Wally World ( WalMart )... And I set the timer, so now my pictures look as good as if they were taken by a professional photographer.. TRY IT! You WON'T be dissapointed! wdcrvr1954

[Rojo5150]

wdcrvr1954,
By saying that you use the timer do you mean like 5,4,3,2,1 CLICK or are you taking a longer timed exposure? Just curious since I havent figured out how to take good digital pictures yet myself.

Regards,
The Undercover Carver

[wdcrvr1954]

Sorry bout that Rojo5150:o... I didn't make that more clear, on MY camera the timer just starts as soon as you push down the button on the AUTO TIMER program, and away you go! Just take a look at my most recent pics compared to my earlier post's BiG Dif! And as usual, if I have a problem using a new device, Check the owners manual, friends, the internet and any other way of finding more how to's:Thumbs Up::Cool: Keep on Carvin! wdcrvr1954 ( Brandon )

[JJireh]

Really what it boils down to is lighting. If you take your pictures inside at your desk, most common cameras will attempt to use the flash to allow faster shutter speeds. If you turn off your flash you force your camera to hold the shutter open longer and any jiggle (breathing) will cause a blurry pic. this is why the timer works, because you can't stop breathing
Easiest thing to do is set your piece in a spot, set up 2 shop lights at the right and left and a light above or below. This allows your camera to use higher shutter speed and removes most shadows.

[SeaLeveler]

Thanks for the info.My pics look like looking thru a fog.Tony

[aulddiy]

Naw its my carvings which are the problem. Still they are getting better, sometimes.

[BrandantR]

Thanks for the info. I've always wondered why my pics look so blurry. I'll have to try these suggestions.

[Claude]

Another common cause of blurriness, even using a tripod and timer, is because you are trying to get too close to the subject with the standard lens. Most digital cameras have a Macro setting (icon often looks like a flower). Standard lenses can be focused from somewhere around 2 feet all the out to forever. When you switch the setting to Macro, it can focus down to only a few inches and out as far as maybe 3 feet.

If you notice in JJireh's closeup, the wolves in front are in focus, but the ones in back are not. This is because of an effect called "depth of field"... I've now stepped beyond the limits most people care about but there are three simple things that help get "more" of your subject in focus:
1) better light - allows the shutter to operate faster, and also increases the depth of field
2) tripod and timer - prevents the "shakiness" blurring
3) macro lens setting for closeup photos

Hope this helps...
Claude

[Bobla76]

By the way I'm just back from Montana, so just got back to the digital world. This is one of the best threads that I have seen. Very good info. I worked my way through school as a photog., but that was in the days when I carried a BIG box of 5x7 film holders, a changing bag and a VERY heavy wooden tripod! My pics. can benefit from the info given here! Thanks !

[pallin]

Claude covers the important parts of making good photos of your carvings. I have found angled sunlight makes good lighting for relief work.

You should also consider the possibilities of your computer's photo software. Most of us have to edit our photos to meet the pixel limits of this site, so we can also crop and enhance the photo at the same time. You can't eliminate blurriness or washed out detail from too much light, but you can adjust color or contrast.