Friday, February 4, 2011

My photo taking "aha" moment!

This weekend I was working on my kit for the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog and was trying to figure out a way to get better pictures.  My camera is not fancy and I don't have alot of photography skills.  I envy people who are able to get really great shots of their finished cards and layouts.  So I decided to poke around online and see how the kit clubs were showing off their products.  I noticed three things:

1.  Natural lighting
2.  Interesting backgrounds
3.  fun display containers

Here is what I came up with to try and integrate those things in my display photos. 

First I pulled out some white foam core boards that I had sitting around and some patterned paper:



Then I found a good, natural light source (a great window with lots of light...I also can use my front bay window) and put made a "stage" with the foam boards:


Pick some patterned paper and prop it up on the foam board (like wallpaper, but not glued down).  You could also use fabric and even put some cardstock down as the "floor":


Then just put the object in front of the patterned paper, get down on eye level and take the photo.  Looks prettier already!



I also decided to find some pretty containers to display some of my stuff that I wanted to photograph (a neat trick that I saw on alot of kit clubs).  My husband thought using a gravy boat was a bit nuts, but I like it.  I also turned the candle sticks upside down because the bottoms have more room to store things.  Look at how much nicer my embellishments look with a little TLC photography:





10 comments:

Jimjams said...

Some good tricks and tips there ... the trouble is that in the winter natural light is hard to come by! I have been playing with the white balance on my camera to try and compensate for certain light conditions. This and a tripod let me avoid using flash at all.

Crystal said...

Good job. I had hubby build me a light box and am experimenting with coverings/props etc!

Lesa said...

These are some really good ideas~~Can't wait to play along with this month's upcoming counterfeit kit!!

ScrappnBee said...

Thanks for showing the steps! You did a fabulous job with that embellishment layout! The candlesticks are pretty cool!

Danielle said...

I did something similar with two white panels screwed together. I can fold them closed when not in use. I like your idea of props. I may have to invest in some. thanks for sharing.

Counterfeit Kit Challenge said...

I'm going to go to the thrift store (maybe even today) to look for cool props! My husband thanks you :)
*meridy*

Margie said...

Great tut! TFS!

Tammy said...

These are great! I use white foam boards to photograph my layouts and projects too. Love putting the pattern paper behind for smaller things though.

Tammy
http://www.yourmemoryconnection.com

Michele's Scrapy Creations said...

lol cool i was just think about that myself to get black form board but white look better. put it on my shopping list to buy just trying to find better lighting in this house is hard.

JennyLilac said...

Good tips! I need to find better way to photograph my layouts for posting.