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Posted by lifemagician on 07-Nov-2010 13:07 Report
The best way to photograph.....

As part of the whole down-sizing process, I am thinking of divesting myself of my teaspoon collection. Most are souvenir spoons from trips and events.  Some were gifts, decades ago.

But how do I photograph them so that the pictures on them are really clear to see?  I have tried the various settings on my Casio Exilim, but to no avail.

Lifey would appreciate some help
 
Replied by busymitts on 07-Nov-2010 13:13 (Ref 2224591) Report
The way I took the photo's for mine is by manual focusing with very bright lighting. The main photo as a close up of handle & the second of the spoon as a whole. Hope this helps. :)
Replied by issabella10 on 07-Nov-2010 13:17 (Ref 2224595) Report
Sometimes it works by taking a normal close up using the "close up" setting , but about 20cm from the image , then crop the photo in your photo program. I use Windows Photo Gallery .
Replied by lifemagician on 07-Nov-2010 13:19 (Ref 2224596) Report

Thank you, but please clarify one thing for this photograpic novice......

What is manual focusing?
Replied by busymitts on 07-Nov-2010 13:21 (Ref 2224598) Report
On your camera there is usually an option of choosing an automatic program or manual. Manual is usually if you know how to shoot ok with different settings but can also adjust your zoom. Do a photo from, like the above post, about 20-30 cm away & then crop in an editing program or site like photobucket. In photobucket you can tweak the lighting in there as well. :)
Replied by hobals on 07-Nov-2010 13:35 (Ref 2224602) Report
Have sent message :-)



Lifey- note the link I sent you - has "scanning"  jewellery too :-)

as Sterling Silver and the metal in spoons - are both silver & shiny and make it hard to take pictures- then, copying what jewellery sellers do to take their pictures- is a good idea
IMO

hope it helps

cheers :-)
Replied by aladdins-cave on 07-Nov-2010 14:57 (Ref 2224643) Report
You can try using a scanner !!!

If you place a nice color cloth over the to of it, you can get a nice back ground effect. Sometimes.

But try the scanner.

Cheers

Aladin Pictures, Images and Photos
Replied by issabella10 on 07-Nov-2010 16:17 (Ref 2224671) Report
Scanner might work too . There's a way to take scanned images and instead of them ending up being individual images you can continue to scan them and then crop and cut .
mmm that makes no sense one of the coinies explained it to be once , might have to go and try the process so I know how to explain it better  ..........
Replied by lifemagician on 07-Nov-2010 16:40 (Ref 2224683) Report


Well, now, thanks for all your help.   I shall try all the bits and pieces and links, and see what I can come up with....

But working a camera manually is way beyond this humble human's ability.
Replied by busymitts on 07-Nov-2010 17:04 (Ref 2224701) Report
LOL @ Lifey's last post - its easy once you get the knack for it. If you have an instruction booklet for your camera or perhaps google one online - it should tell you how. Cheers. :)
Replied by hobals on 07-Nov-2010 19:28 (Ref 2224761) Report
Here's what Lifey has so far

Can someone help her get this picture better please
cheers :-)
Replied by lifemagician on 07-Nov-2010 19:46 (Ref 2224778) Report

Thanks Hobals for posting that for me.

These were scanned, and after having quite a lot of goes, following all the instructions to the letter.  Can anyone give me any suggestions on improving these.... or should I just go with a camera.

Geez, I had no idea listing a few teaspoons was going to be this much stress.  


Replied by giftsforbubandmore on 07-Nov-2010 20:26 (Ref 2224786) Report
 Hi Lifey You need to clean your scanner bed. I just tried to improve it but shows the marks on the glass. 
Replied by lifemagician on 07-Nov-2010 20:33 (Ref 2224787) Report

The marks on the glass are the least of my concern.... I am more concerned about them being so dark.  Why is that?
Replied by busymitts on 07-Nov-2010 20:37 (Ref 2224788) Report
Go into photobucket - edit - auto correct (tab on lh side). That should fix the lighting prob, cheers. :)
Replied by montynonuts on 07-Nov-2010 20:40 (Ref 2224790) Report
Hello Lifey
This is the best I can do with your picture the one below is a little darker
Replied by montynonuts on 07-Nov-2010 20:49 (Ref 2224794) Report
Replied by lifemagician on 07-Nov-2010 20:53 (Ref 2224796) Report

Thanks Monty.  I think I will give the idea of scanning away, and work on the camera.  Hobals sent me an excellent link with ever such clear instructions, and I have done a couple of trials.   Look a lot better, especially if I can crop them.  The best advice it gave was not to hold the camera and put it on delay time.  So I guess I have quite a bit of work ahead of me. 

And to start with, I will hardly be here for the next five weeks.   Oh well!!

One further query.  How do I prevent the actual spoon part picking up the image of the camera, as in a mirror?
Replied by the-purple-dragonfly on 07-Nov-2010 21:38 (Ref 2224801) Report
picnik is also a good program for editing photos and its is very simple, its free to use
And if you do something to your picture you can apply the changes or undo if your not happy with what your trying to do.

Also i know nothing about cameras, so i will try not to confuse you.  Do you have a micro or could be macro setting on your camera, kinda looks like a little plant with two leafs??  That is for close up pictures. 

And also some cameras when you go to take your photo - if you don't press the button all the way in it kind of zoom focuses on your item. . .then finish pressing the button

hope this helps a little and not confuses
Good luck, Kaylene
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