onepixel
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Ok..you guys have shared with us all some wonderful gear. Some of the photos are taken wonderfully, some just do no justice to your equipment. Hopefully this thread will help you take better photos. Why take better photos? Look around in the media. If it looks hot, sexy or awesome its impresses, inspires, is desired and receives a premium price and it just looks way cooler.
Gear: a decent digital camera. A film camera is the same but developing can get expensive. Some necessary functions might not be available on your existing camera.
A solid tripod. Think turntable, if it shakes it distorts. You guys should be able to find one for cheap at a GW. This is essential for clear focused pictures. Don't try doing the balancing act on a stack of speakers.
Ideally the camera will have manual controls or more importantly the ability to shoot at a slow shutter speed. Thus the need for a tripod. For normal indoor lighting conditions anywhere from 1 to 1/16th of a second but will vary.
Ok, lets pick a subject to photo. Make sure its dusted and clean! Finger prints and hairballs got to go. Before you even touch the camera, look at your subject. Look at it from different angles. What are it's attributes, what do you want to highlight? Does it have tons of shinny knobs and buttons or those sexy blue meters? Pick it's best side! Next look around it in on all sides and especially behind it. Move stuff away so the visual focus is on your gear. I saw one member's photo where I saw underwear! That's all I remember of that particular photo.
Take your time and find that right angle and shooting location. If you want to get more serious, create studio effects. Use a complimentary colored backdrop or colors to set a tone. Glass makes for wonderful reflections. Usable materials are endless, wood, marble, experiment!
Lighting is the next big factor. There are two types of light. Natural light and man made. You can use one or the other or both. If you don't want to or can't move that 65lb receiver bring the light to it. Kinda like speakers, regular light bulbs give off a yellowish hue (warm, colored) and fluorescent lamps give off a white or bluish hue (bright, harsh). If your using natural light (Sun) through a window take time and see what the lighting conditions are at different times of the day. Early morning and late day the light is warm (sunsets). Middle of the day its…you got it, its bright! Through the seasons the lighting conditions also change. Mix it up.
Move the light(s) around while looking through the viewfinder. Place the light (might need an assistant) high, low, front, back. Try using more than one light source at different distances. Experiment! Just like placing speakers. Find the sweet spot. You can get the silver faceplate shimmering with reflected and refracted light or create dark dramatic shadows.
Time to take the picture. Since there are a wide variety and types of cameras this part will require you to check your user’s manual for reference.
Adjust the white balance. Incandescent setting works the best for indoors and AWB setting is a good overall, but if your camera has more options try them out. Turn OFF your flash. Set your shutter speed to 1/8th second for starters and work your way slower. Use the self timer, because you pushing down the shutter will shake the camera at that speed, creating a blur. Try different speeds until you get an exposure you like. If you can’t turn off the flash cover it lightly with tape and over expose and bring in more lights.
Taking photos with your camera is just like listening to music through your stereo. The only difference is your listening with your eyes. Fine tune your eyes and take the time, experiment until you find what you like.
Cheers,
Carl
Gear: a decent digital camera. A film camera is the same but developing can get expensive. Some necessary functions might not be available on your existing camera.
A solid tripod. Think turntable, if it shakes it distorts. You guys should be able to find one for cheap at a GW. This is essential for clear focused pictures. Don't try doing the balancing act on a stack of speakers.
Ideally the camera will have manual controls or more importantly the ability to shoot at a slow shutter speed. Thus the need for a tripod. For normal indoor lighting conditions anywhere from 1 to 1/16th of a second but will vary.
Ok, lets pick a subject to photo. Make sure its dusted and clean! Finger prints and hairballs got to go. Before you even touch the camera, look at your subject. Look at it from different angles. What are it's attributes, what do you want to highlight? Does it have tons of shinny knobs and buttons or those sexy blue meters? Pick it's best side! Next look around it in on all sides and especially behind it. Move stuff away so the visual focus is on your gear. I saw one member's photo where I saw underwear! That's all I remember of that particular photo.
Take your time and find that right angle and shooting location. If you want to get more serious, create studio effects. Use a complimentary colored backdrop or colors to set a tone. Glass makes for wonderful reflections. Usable materials are endless, wood, marble, experiment!
Lighting is the next big factor. There are two types of light. Natural light and man made. You can use one or the other or both. If you don't want to or can't move that 65lb receiver bring the light to it. Kinda like speakers, regular light bulbs give off a yellowish hue (warm, colored) and fluorescent lamps give off a white or bluish hue (bright, harsh). If your using natural light (Sun) through a window take time and see what the lighting conditions are at different times of the day. Early morning and late day the light is warm (sunsets). Middle of the day its…you got it, its bright! Through the seasons the lighting conditions also change. Mix it up.
Move the light(s) around while looking through the viewfinder. Place the light (might need an assistant) high, low, front, back. Try using more than one light source at different distances. Experiment! Just like placing speakers. Find the sweet spot. You can get the silver faceplate shimmering with reflected and refracted light or create dark dramatic shadows.
Time to take the picture. Since there are a wide variety and types of cameras this part will require you to check your user’s manual for reference.
Adjust the white balance. Incandescent setting works the best for indoors and AWB setting is a good overall, but if your camera has more options try them out. Turn OFF your flash. Set your shutter speed to 1/8th second for starters and work your way slower. Use the self timer, because you pushing down the shutter will shake the camera at that speed, creating a blur. Try different speeds until you get an exposure you like. If you can’t turn off the flash cover it lightly with tape and over expose and bring in more lights.
Taking photos with your camera is just like listening to music through your stereo. The only difference is your listening with your eyes. Fine tune your eyes and take the time, experiment until you find what you like.
Cheers,
Carl
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