Lampwork Etc.
 
AKDesign

LE Live Chat

Enter Live Chat

No users in chat




Beads of Courage


 

Go Back   Lampwork Etc. > Library > The Dark Room

The Dark Room -- Photo Editing and Picture Taking. Advice, tutorials, questions on all things photoshop, photo editing, and taking pictures of beads or glass.

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 2006-05-27, 1:54pm
Ellen Black's Avatar
Ellen Black Ellen Black is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 28, 2005
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 1,546
Default Taking pictures of sets....HELP !

Need some tips for taking pictures of sets. The one thing that has helped a bit was adjusting the f stop. Any other ideas? THANKS
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2006-05-27, 2:01pm
JavaGirlBT JavaGirlBT is offline
A True Woofer
 
Join Date: Jun 13, 2005
Location: the land of nod
Posts: 3,895
Default

Since you mention F-stop, I'm assuming you're talking about focus.

I put mine in a circle and focus on a bead toward the middle of the right or left. Then I bring the focus of the camera into the middle of the circle and snap the picture. Then in photoshop elements, I sharpen twice. This way most of the beads are in fairly good focus. Also I have my Fstop at like 18 so there's depth of field.

Here's an example. I probably would focus on the most brownish bead on the very right.


__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2006-05-27, 3:40pm
Ellen Black's Avatar
Ellen Black Ellen Black is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 28, 2005
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 1,546
Default

yes, I decided to think about it like I was using my old 35mm. I would change the f stop/aperture priority to get better depth of field. As long as you use a tripod, because of the slow shutter speed.

Your photo looks real nice ! I have Photoshop Elements version 2. I didn't even know about the sharpen feature. THANK YOU !

Very nice beads by the way.
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2006-05-27, 7:30pm
JavaGirlBT JavaGirlBT is offline
A True Woofer
 
Join Date: Jun 13, 2005
Location: the land of nod
Posts: 3,895
Default

Thanks! Post some photos when you get a chance.
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2006-05-27, 7:55pm
Lara's Avatar
Lara Lara is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 16, 2005
Location: Maple Valley WA
Posts: 7,064
Default

Ellen, beautiful beaeds.

Sorry, don't have tips on the photo stuff, just compliments.
__________________
Lara


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
**
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
**
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Become a fan on Facebook:
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2006-05-28, 12:35am
born2snooze's Avatar
born2snooze born2snooze is offline
Maria B @ Indone6ix
 
Join Date: Aug 29, 2005
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 1,812
Default

Javagirl, goddess set!

.
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
..
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
..
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
..
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
..
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
..
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2006-05-28, 4:50am
JavaGirlBT JavaGirlBT is offline
A True Woofer
 
Join Date: Jun 13, 2005
Location: the land of nod
Posts: 3,895
Default

Thanks, Lara and Adeline!
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2006-05-28, 6:49am
Anne Ricketts's Avatar
Anne Ricketts Anne Ricketts is offline
Detail G-Mama!
 
Join Date: Jun 10, 2005
Location: Longview, WA
Posts: 7,130
Default

Nice beads and great photo Ellen! Are those under a light tent or ? What kind of lighting do you use?
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 2006-05-28, 7:51am
JavaGirlBT JavaGirlBT is offline
A True Woofer
 
Join Date: Jun 13, 2005
Location: the land of nod
Posts: 3,895
Default

Thanks, Anne! Yes, it's in a cube, on graduated background paper. I use light stands and bulbs that came with that kit from tabletopstudio. I tried to make my own, but the photos still looked like crap, so I spent the $ for the kit 2 years ago and I love it. They sell everything separately, too.
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 2006-05-28, 8:02am
Anne Ricketts's Avatar
Anne Ricketts Anne Ricketts is offline
Detail G-Mama!
 
Join Date: Jun 10, 2005
Location: Longview, WA
Posts: 7,130
Default

Did you buy the one off Ebay for $275?
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 2006-05-28, 8:42am
JavaGirlBT JavaGirlBT is offline
A True Woofer
 
Join Date: Jun 13, 2005
Location: the land of nod
Posts: 3,895
Default

Yes, something like that. It's a lot of $ and people will come on here saying "oh, you can make it yourself for 5 bucks" but I tried and I failed so I caved and bought the stuff. And I'm very happy I did.
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 2006-05-28, 8:48am
JavaGirlBT JavaGirlBT is offline
A True Woofer
 
Join Date: Jun 13, 2005
Location: the land of nod
Posts: 3,895
Default

Oh, and you can also buy the stuff separately off their website. Like if you just want the light stands and bulbs or the tent. The kit I bought came with a tripod that I never use, so I might have saved some money by buying the stuff separately, I'm not sure.
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 2006-05-29, 11:25am
Ellen Black's Avatar
Ellen Black Ellen Black is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 28, 2005
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 1,546
Default

I have to read back and see which website you are talking about for the tent.

Anyway, today I have been taking photos. I have the Sony F717. I adjusted the f stop/Aperture, when I first got the camera. Using the automatic setting made the focal beads appear as if they were floating off the surface. I hade it set at 4. So I moved it up, AND IT MAKES A FANTASTIC DIFFERENCE, creating a much better depth of field. Thank You !


Edit to add, I have it set at 6 something. When I set it all the way to 8, the shutter speed was to slow for me to hand hold. Could use the timer on a tripod. But even set at 6, there is a nice improvement.
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Last edited by Ellen Black; 2006-05-29 at 11:56am.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 2006-05-29, 1:33pm
JavaGirlBT JavaGirlBT is offline
A True Woofer
 
Join Date: Jun 13, 2005
Location: the land of nod
Posts: 3,895
Default

Excellent!
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 2006-05-29, 3:56pm
Ellen Black's Avatar
Ellen Black Ellen Black is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 28, 2005
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 1,546
Default

Ellen, what size tent do you have?
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 2006-05-29, 4:06pm
JavaGirlBT JavaGirlBT is offline
A True Woofer
 
Join Date: Jun 13, 2005
Location: the land of nod
Posts: 3,895
Default

Hmmm I don't have a ruler handy but if I had to guess, I'd say it's 12" by 12" by 12" or so.
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 2006-05-29, 4:46pm
Kevan's Avatar
Kevan Kevan is offline
Entropy increasing....
 
Join Date: Nov 12, 2005
Location: In a box of paints
Posts: 25,098
Default

I bought a light tent from Kitz camera yesterday for $149. It comes with two lights. It folds up into a frisbee sized thing.
__________________
"I am an artist… I am here to live out loud." Emile Zola
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 2006-05-29, 6:09pm
Ellen Black's Avatar
Ellen Black Ellen Black is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 28, 2005
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 1,546
Default

I'm finally going to get one. I have the PVC set up, with a white cotton cloth. Would have been better to have just gotton the set up.
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 2006-05-31, 1:42pm
Rose's Avatar
Rose Rose is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 01, 2005
Posts: 1,338
Default

I photograph nothing but sets and have mostly struggled with the lighting over the years. I'm too cheap to buy expensive lights and my cheap ones caused the pictures to be so off in color that it took me forever to fix.

I found a cheap fix! I have a daylight table lamp I got at Costco a year or so ago. This weekend I was in Home Depot and was looking at the Ott lamps. I thought.... Mmmmmmm, that light bulb looks like my daylight lamp. One isle over I saw they carry the same daylight table lamp for $18. The one I have is called "Sunlight Lamp", Lamps of America.

Anyways, I came home and propped up my tent on a chair just underneath this table lamp. This was the only light on in the room. I use a macro lens with a tripod and timer. All I had to do is go to Photoshop and brighten and lessen the contrast. VERY GOOD photos and the colors are clear as can be.

Here is an example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=8942647688

It's worth a try!
Rose
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 2006-05-31, 1:50pm
Ellen Black's Avatar
Ellen Black Ellen Black is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 28, 2005
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 1,546
Default

Rose those beads are beautiful ! And so is the photograph.
So you have a tent also? What size. I was debating the 12 X12 or the 12 x 20.

What do you adjust your f stop to?
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 2006-05-31, 2:07pm
Rose's Avatar
Rose Rose is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 01, 2005
Posts: 1,338
Default

Ellen,

Thanks! I got my tent for $25 through the bulk buy they had here a couple of months ago. I usually just prop it in the windowsill in morning warm light and that works pretty well. But there are other times of the day I need to photograph so this works great now. I put the lamp close to the top of the tent, by the way.

Either size you mentioned will work for you. It doesn't need to be big. I bring my camera in the tent over the top of the beads as much as I can to photograph, with the beads on white computer paper. Except some colors, like blues or whites, need to be photographed on gray photography card.

I use a Nikon Coolpix 4300 and set it on Manual. It's also set to take "Best Shot" so the light meter reads around the beads. I don't think I have an F Stop, I remember looking for it.

A friend of mine went to her local photography store and got a tent and lights (kit) for $100. That could be an option for you. Another thing you might want to look into is getting the gray card from a photography store and use it. I think you focus your beads and put the card down in front of the lens and press the button half way down, take the gray card away (without letting up on the button) and snap your picture. The gray is neutral and that might help.

A tripod is critical to getting a clear picture.

Rose
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 2006-06-01, 9:11am
Ellen Black's Avatar
Ellen Black Ellen Black is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 28, 2005
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 1,546
Default

There is nothing like natural light for sure !

I called one local photoshop, Helix. The guy didn't even know what I was talking about. Pretty strange response from one of the biggest dealers in the Chicago area.

I'll get one on line.
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 2006-06-01, 11:23am
EvanH EvanH is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 16, 2005
Location: Illinios
Posts: 87
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ellen Black
There is nothing like natural light for sure !

I called one local photoshop, Helix. The guy didn't even know what I was talking about. Pretty strange response from one of the biggest dealers in the Chicago area.

I'll get one on line.
Ellen - If you're doing small stuff, like single beads take a look at the tutorial that I have out on our website. (www.dawnandevan.com/tutorials.htm) . The one that's out there now shows how to turn a bowl into a photo studio with a camera holder for around $5.00. You can up-size it too, to a much larger bowl or translucent wastebasket for just a couple of bucks more and they work great.

Ev
__________________
- Evan

email:
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


web:
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 2006-06-23, 9:12pm
Ellen Black's Avatar
Ellen Black Ellen Black is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 28, 2005
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 1,546
Default

Thanks for a great tutorial Evan.
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 2006-06-24, 10:55am
EvanH EvanH is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 16, 2005
Location: Illinios
Posts: 87
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ellen Black
Thanks for a great tutorial Evan.
My pleasure... I'm working on a new one... hopefully something in the next couple of weeks depending on time. Good seeing you up at Bead & Button!

Ev
__________________
- Evan

email:
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


web:
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 2006-06-24, 11:34am
Ellen Black's Avatar
Ellen Black Ellen Black is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 28, 2005
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 1,546
Default

Hi, Page 45 , f stop/ Aperture same thing. the black little wheel in front of the shutter release. Picture on page 43.

I leave the camera always set on A now. I also adjust the white balance too , page 54 and 55

I'd be lost without that manuel. Wish they had printed it bigger thou, tiny print.

Saw how you changed the ISO for your pictures, I was trying that last night too.
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Last edited by Ellen Black; 2006-06-24 at 11:38am.
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 2006-06-24, 7:14pm
Ellen Black's Avatar
Ellen Black Ellen Black is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 28, 2005
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 1,546
Default

On manual can you set everything yourself? Like shutter speed ? I'll have to look at that.
__________________
Ellen

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 5:29am.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Your IP: 3.90.33.254