What do I need to do?!

R8JimBob88

R8JimBob88

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,253
Name
James Stockton
Edit My Images
Yes
To cut a long story short, an old workmate of mine has asked me to do her a favour. She is setting up an online business selling homemade birthday/christmas cards etc.

What she has asked me to do is take some half decent pictures of some of her cards so she can put them on her website as examples. This is just a favour so obviously wont be charging her :)

What do I need to do? :lol: I have a fair idea of what is needed but I am thinking of making a small home made, make shift studio (i have been meaning to do this for a while anyway), just somewhere to place the cards to photograph them with appropriate lighting etc. I only have the kit below in my sig but i'm sure with some of your ideas, i'll be able to take some more professional looking images rather than just some point and shoots with a pair of socks in the background!

Thanks :D
 
This elusive professional look we hear so much about is most likely going to come from the lighting you use.

That's not to say you need to have a load of costly kit, unless you're shooting larger subjects a good setup can be had for pennies. Quite what that setup should be depends on whether you're wanting to shoot the cards as flat artwork or stood up.

If you want shots of the cards stood up, a couple of table lamps, some white card for a curved background and if possible a tripod, will get you shots that look great.
 
I'm hoping to shoot them stood up. Is there a way to make one of those Soft Boxes? I know its only a tenner but wouldnt mind having a go at making one this weekend. I'm sure I have seen a guide on here somewhere. Would you use flash or just some table lights?
 
Dont under estimate the usefulness of the sun - and it's free. Find a table that you can set up near a window and use white cards to reflect the light where you need it. Don't use artificial lighting unles you need to fill in with it.
 
Then again - that Ebay softbox looks pretty good so I might get one (Don't tell :-) )
 
Take it from me, cards are bloody hard to photograph!!!! I've been making cards for 5 years now and take a pic of every card I make.

You need to use a background that is opposite to the card iyswim. If the card is pale coloured or white, don't use a white background as it washes the card out. If it's a 3d card (ie decoupage), you need to get a sense of the depth of it.

Be careful with flash as it can bounce off any of the materials. If she's used acetate, you need to factor that in, I tend to take it at an angle.

Don't lay the cards flat on the surface but try them standing up, again, this gives a better sense of depth.

I used to take the photos with my P&S so I used the macro setting on it (this was before I had an SLR).

Here's some I took of an exploding box I made - not very good photos I'm afraid - but might give you an idea. I took these against the background of our wooden floor, thought it would make a good contrast :thinking: Shame about my fingers being in the way :lol: and got a plastic bag in the way :lol:

Not the best effort at photography but as I've cleared my folders onto CD's the only ones I could find in my online album

hth

IMG_5040.jpg


IMG_5046.jpg


IMG_5043.jpg
 
Here's a couple more (these ones are flat to show you how not to do it!!! and again - crap photos :lol:):

IMG_5009.jpg


IMG_5007.jpg


IMG_5008.jpg
 
Thanks for the advice there :)

I think i'll make/buy one of these cheap softboxes, should give me what I'm looking for. Plus i'll be able to change the background colour
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top