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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Oct 24, 2011 4:28:01 GMT -5
Hi all I have seen a few people struggling to take Digital Photos to get a good picture of a gloss finish isent too easy  If you have any tips please add only please dont go into getting pictures onto RTH there is a seprate Pinned Tutorial on this above Problems , Digital cameras are Slower reactions than Film cameras This allows light to come back and upset the auto settings in a full sun situation Glare or light Feed back These are as highly polished as the above photo You can see the difference to the left of the bottom top stone there is another in the shade showing a good polish This proves this point , if you photo outside in the full sun always photo with your back to the sun and the rock/jewellery in the shade of your boady  Background problem The white news paper is the problem here if the background had been a Black sheet it would have been better but not perfect  Background ok But Wow ! the light feed back Lens flare as said below if you use a UV filter it helps but the problem is taking a photo in Direct sun and the reflection off the rocks is upsetting the photo  Camera shake use a Tripod or Bean bag or auto setting ( see below ) Fuzzy picture  You can also hold on to a solid object , hold the camera into your self so it is a stable as you can get it use a tripod, Auto 10 or 3 seconds I use the auto settings a lot as when you press the shutter release you get a slight camera shake putting it on auto release on a tripod will get you away from this problem Light Box for winter (Low light conditions ) Light intensity is very important See the remarks of Unclestu, you have to get the light up to get a good photo Here is a example of not enough light these are mirrow finished the MA at the front  should be showing the camera.  Not only for winter but sometimes that special jewellery item needs the extra light and solid suport Well Im short of space in my workshop/greenhouse as you can see here is the light box ?? where ?  Ok here is the transformation set out to take photos  As sujested a bit more information, 2 spot light bulbs either side and a small one over the top (according to Unclestue not strong enough I agree ) Im learning also , The blue thing in a old food container with a hole cut in it for the camera lens, the strings give up and down adjustment and angle ajustment , Im working on a solid camera support I still have more work to do on this L box but this is a Idea if your short of space, I probally need to adjust my camera as the black cloth has come out with a redish tinge, and increse the light Density Please add your Tips and comments ADMIN EDIT - repaired broken images, original code below --------------------
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/john-edward/March1st007.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/john-edward/March1st005.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/john-edward/SLABSDecUSABatch006.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/john-edward/SLABSDecUSABatch021.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/john-edward/Dec1st018.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/john-edward/May1stbatch09006.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/john-edward/2011/DSCN0108.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/john-edward/2011/DSCN0109.jpg[/IMG]
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Post by NatureNut on Oct 24, 2011 8:41:32 GMT -5
I would suggest to anyone learning to take photos is to make sure your color is as correct as possible. Outdoor light is very different from indoor light, which has a yellow tint. Get acquainted with your camera and find out how to adjust the white balance. My camera has a setting for indoor, outdoor, auto and one that sets it by pointing the camera at something that is true white first.
If your camera does not have any of these settings, then you can use a photo editing program to adjust the color to as close to true as possible.
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Oct 24, 2011 10:45:17 GMT -5
Jack, The " light feed back" as you call it appears to be lens flare from the sun. As you look thru the camera's viewfinder or at the monitor, you should be able to see it. Often, if you can hold your hand or a black card just above the lens, you can shield that light from entering the camera. Just be careful not to include the hand or card in the picture.LOL! It's a little tricky getting the placement correct, but it works for me, Hope this helps!
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Oct 24, 2011 10:47:32 GMT -5
Also, use a tripod whenever possible, even outside in the sun...
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unclestu
Cave Dweller 
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Oct 24, 2011 16:41:03 GMT -5
When taking pictures if shiny objects like glass or silver you must always use indirect defused light. Don't shine your light source directly onto the shiny surface but let the light source itself be reflected onto the surface of the shiny object being photographed. All of you pro photographers out there know what I am trying to say. You need to bounce the light off of another object and onto the stone that you are photographing. You can do this cheaply with a piece of white poster board held in posotion out of the photo but in such a way as to reflect the light onto the stone being photographed.
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Post by talkingstones on Oct 24, 2011 18:59:22 GMT -5
I feel like a little girl on Christmas morning! :-) Tee Hee! The only thing better than one mind is a whole clubs worth!!!! Keep going guys because I'm taking notes!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Jack!
God bless you and yours!
Cathy
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Oct 25, 2011 2:51:16 GMT -5
Thanks All, very , very much for your comments keep them comming
This is a great help to those struggling with the digital camera
Jack
yorkshire uk
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Post by talkingstones on Oct 25, 2011 5:33:14 GMT -5
Ok, Jack. I'm confused. What have you got going in the last photo? I'm seeing three light sources. The window, the thing you have directily over the rocks, what is that?, and the bulb up by the camera. Can you describe what is happening in that photo?
Thanks!
Cathy
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Post by NatureNut on Oct 25, 2011 7:49:40 GMT -5
I want to add that taking pictures outside on a cloudy day usually gives you diffused, natural light. Or, taking pics in the shade can help.
It also helps the focus if you bring your subject up in front of your background a few inches. When we take pictures flat on a surface, our cameras usually focus on the background and not the rocks. The difference is tiny, but makes a big difference in the pics. Manual focus would be the way around this though.
I think the thing above is Jack's camera, right Jack?
Jo
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Oct 25, 2011 7:59:32 GMT -5
I have just recently purchased a light box and photo light set up to use for my selling on ebay. I was the best move I have ever made when it comes to increasing sales on line. If one picture is worth a thousand words one good picture is PRICELESS! The set up that I have is a bit larger than needed for shooting cabs and jewelry. You can get a complete table top set up with the light tent,tripods,reflectors,bulbs and three backgrounds all for about $50. The purpose of a light box/tent is to be able to defuse the light falling upon your subject. The light source is meant to shine through the translusent material of the tent so that it becomesa a solft light without harsh shadows. Here is an example that can be had for $49 and I highly recommend this company to do business whit. www.skaeser.com/servlet/the-917/lighting-tent%2Clight-tent-lighting%2Clight/DetailAnother thing that I did which I consider almost as good as joining this forum was to join this other forum for photography. I must say being spoiled by all of you wonderful people on this forum I thought that I would never feel at home on any other forum. I was wrong. The Ugly Hedgehog photo forum is great and you will learn anything you could ever want to learn about digital photography. www.uglyhedgehog.com/n/a/026.jspThere are also many great tutorials on you tube. If you decide to go with photo bulbs I would suggest getting the cool florescent bulbs as they have a 10,000 hour life span and can be run continuously without producing a great deal of heat. You want to work with bulbs with a kelvin temp of around 5500k (true daylight temp) Stu |
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Oct 25, 2011 15:54:20 GMT -5
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Oct 25, 2011 20:04:58 GMT -5
Yes you can go on you tube there are many diy light box plans. I can tell you this. The most important thing is not the light box it is the lights that are used. You can defuxe light in many ways with as little as a piece of cheese cloth.
you can also accomplish the same effedct as a light box/tent with some white poster board used as a background and some white cardboard which can be used to bounce the light off of. The whole key is to get soft defused light on your subject
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 25, 2011 20:16:01 GMT -5
Wonder how those double wall polycarbonate greenhouse panels would work for diffusing light ? Got a bunch of them in the shed, after a tornado demolished most of my greenhouse a couple years ago.
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Oct 25, 2011 23:51:16 GMT -5
playing around with my makeshift light box....
i think it works...
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Oct 26, 2011 3:29:28 GMT -5
Thanks Don for your contribution of Photo experiments , spot on Note Don has photoed on both black and white backgrounds he could have used red and blue as well Excelent This is a photo of the light box made from a box which Don has made ? see link above  Taken off a computer screen camera auto set at 3 secs many thanks Jack Yorkshire uk |
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meta99
has rocks in the head
Ohio Flint Ridge flint
Member since October 2010
Posts: 540
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Post by meta99 on Oct 26, 2011 5:49:42 GMT -5
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Post by talkingstones on Oct 26, 2011 18:12:54 GMT -5
Excellent, Sue! Thanks!
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on Oct 26, 2011 18:29:21 GMT -5
Don looks like you did a great job with your light box.. I love the floating effect that you get with the clean white background. You did a great job in controlling the shadows as well. I also like how the black background causes everything to jump off the page. If you are serious about selling anything online a light box/tent is a must. Don did you use the polycarbonate panels from your green house for your light box? Also what light source did you use? Stu Also for anyone interested in what I think are some of the best photo tutorials on digital photography check out the digital1 on 1 series on you tube. They have quite a few episodes on jewelry and tabletop studio photography as well as episodes on everything that you will ever need to know about digital photography and lighting. I think there are like 76 episodes. www.youtube.com/results?search_query=digital+photography+1+on+1+episode+1&aq=f |
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Oct 27, 2011 3:14:45 GMT -5
Sue
(first link )
Thats a great PDF file and a tremendus amount of good information especialy on Jewellery photographing worth printing out and keeping for reference
I was interested in the bowl tecque I was using that before this last (disaster ) attempt
I will have to give it a go again
unclestu
that is a good set of You tube demos a bit complicated for me but very exhaustive for the more serious photographer
Jack
Yorkshire uk
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Oct 28, 2011 3:01:04 GMT -5
This is a photo of the inexpensive Light box that I presume Don made and took the excelent photos Thanks Don Im scrapping my light box arrangement and making one like you Thanks again for your contribution Jack Yorkshire uk |
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should be showing the camera.
