[Woodcarver] Photo Help

[Jeff Pretz]

Very Helpful for us who are learning to take pictures of our carvings! Thank 
you very much Ron!

Jeff Pretz
jefpretz at ptd.net
Lancaster County WoodCarvers
www.lancarvers.com
http://mycarvingclub.com/JeffPretz

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ramsey" <ron at carvedbyramsey.com>
To: <woodcarver at carverscompanion.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 6:57 PM
Subject: [Woodcarver] Photo Help



> Friends in Carving: Please support our List - visit the Carvers' Campanion 

> Shop at http://cafepress.com/woodcarving

>

>

> If you want a professional looking photograph on a budget, follow

> these instructions:

>

> Set up a table or sawhorses against a wall in a room where you will

> be able to block out all of the the light or to make the room dark at

> night. You want to be able to control ALL of the light on your

> carving.  Too much light in the wrong place will cause the colors to

> be washed out or the carving to have too much glare in some areas.

> This why it's NOT RECOMMENDED TO TAKE PHOTOS OUTDOORS!

>

> Go to a framing store and buy a large piece of medium grey poster

> board.  Bend the poster board so that has a curve at the back and is

> vertical against the wall at the top and horizontal against the table

> at the bottom.  Some thumbtacks outside the edge will help hold it in

> place.

>

> Use a minimum of two lights that have swivel bases and adjustable

> arms.  Use CFL bulbs.  Natural light bulbs are better if you don't

> plan on processing your photos on photo software. The bulbs  should

> not be more than the equivalent of 40 watts incandescent.  The reason

> you need two or more lights is that you will need to direct the light

> from at least two directions to fill the shadows.  You will still be

> able to get shadows to show the detail but there wont be areas that

> are lost in shadow.  Cover the light bulbs with semi-transparent

> tracing paper taped to the lampshades.  This is to diffuse and soften

> the light.  Professional photographers have special lights that work

> essentially the same way.  Experiment with the adjustments of the

> lights.  Do not point the lights directly at the carving.  I

> sometimes point the lights at the ceiling to reflect the light off of

> the white sheet rock.  The ideal lighting will be much darker to your

> eye than what appears correct.  Sometimes it appears too dark to take

> a picture but don't be fooled.  EXPERIMENT!  EXPERIMENT!  EXPERIMENT!

> If the photo appears too dark when you upload it, experiment with the

> brightness and contrast.

>

> USE A TRIPOD!  Set the ISO at 200 or less, and the highest resolution

> your camera allows.  Too high of an ISO will cause grainy photos. Set

> the camera on manual and don't use the flash.  Use the timed release

> to release the shutter so there will be no movement.  You will be

> taking the photo at a very slow shutter speed and any movement will

> cause blur.  Most digital cameras will set the exposure for you. Use

> a 10 second time delay to allow the camera time to settle down after

> you push the button.

>

> I prefer to take under exposed photos and then work with them with

> photo processing software.  This allows me to enhance the brightness

> and contrast and adjust the colors and saturation.  The computer

> processing can take a bit of experience to master but it's possible

> to get quality raw photos with the photography techniques I've

> outlined above.

>

> Take lots of photos, upload them to the computer and analyze the

> weaknesses.  Adjust lighting angle etc. and take lots more.  You will

> learn what works for you and what doesn't

> -- 

> Ron Ramsey

> http://www.carvedbyramsey.com

>

>

> Be sure to look at the incredible nature inspired art jewelry hand

> fabricated by my wife, Karen Olsen Ramsey.  It's worth the time to

> take a look!

> http://www.artjeweler.com

> _______________________________________________

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> Woodcarver at carverscompanion.com

> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/woodcarver

>



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