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Poor man's photography.

3K views 15 replies 12 participants last post by  Argyllshire 
#1 ·
Poor man's photography.

I was wishing to have a few of my spoons photographed professionally and when I researched online, I found that the going rate is about $55 per SHOT (not including shipping). Figuring that some of my spoons might have trouble being worth that much, I set about to see if I could get 'acceptable' results with out the expense. I have a high respect for those photographers that make craft work look good especially for Jurying purposes, but to be honest, $55 would cut hard into any profit I fool myself into thinking I might actually make on a project. I'm going to have to wait a while for my work to attract the deep pocket buyers before I can hire a professional photographer.

I had been using a white paper background and didn't really like it. I have noticed that the best shots of craft work seem to use a graduated background, and so my search led me to find the Varitone graduated background from Photo Tech Inc. I ordered the #928 in the 31" x 43" vertical format, vinyl. http://www.phototechinc.com/graduate2.htm With a $32 price and another $8 for shipping, my cost was about $40. I already own a digital camera, although it is just one of those fairly inexpensive 'point and shoots'. I think my wife paid $150 for it a year or two ago when she gave it to me as a gift. It is a Sony DSW-55 (I think) and what I love about it besides it's small size is that it has a remarkable 'macro' capability for its size. When I can hold it still enough I can capture the facets of a fly's eyes. It can see a lot that I can not.

Anyway, I set the background up outside on a patio table while it was overcast, so the shadows wouldn't be too strong. I had my camera set on 'macro' and white balance set for 'overcast'. I hurried the whole thing since it looked like rain setting in, I did not use a tripod and didn't spend enough time composing… but in spite of it all, my photos were much better with the graduated background. I want to do some experimenting with white balance, settings, shade/light, etc., but I think this can hold me off from having to pay the big boys for a while. You guys have probably figured all this out already, but I haven't gone back to read the last thousand blogs.

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#2 ·
Ok, those pictures are great. I have not seen pro pictures much better. Now, here is my question. Did your flash fire? It looks like it might have, but I do not have any experience with graduated backgrounds.

Keep up the good work, and thanks for the handy, cost saving tip.

Rob Hix
 
#6 ·
Professional grade! No doubts about it!
My respect for those who make a living from photography, but same way I was quoting some shots for my son and my family the other day and I was shocked with their rates….No way!

I also try to have the best pictures as I can, for hanplanes I sale at ebay, my small apartment has a balcony in the back and that's my studio…....I find the morning light to be the best for my pics. During the day, when the sun arises, the shadows and light are srong so I do not like the results.

I use a Canon G2, an old camera (current model is the G10) but i'm happy with the results, in Manual mode it's possible to make classic photography and control shutting speed, exposure, ISO, Manual Focus, an many other fetures…..also use a Boggen tripode and that's esential when working with manual mode.
 
#8 ·
Most of the photo blogs I've read go into a lot of stuff youi don't really need if you just want to be as frugal as posxsible. With todays digital cameras, you don't really need to know anything about photography except compostition. I once went to a lot of trouble to photograph some black ponies on dark dirt in an indoor arena racing with covered wagons using film. Later I saw a point and shoot indoor digital shot. That sold me on digital photography. You have it about as good as it's going to get :))
 
#12 ·
Nice job. The graduated backgrounds do make a nice backdrop. I have been spending the last 3 hours taking some long overdue pictures of some projects. Take a look at my blog on taking pictures. It may help. Someday I need to get out of the workshop and add another chapter to the blog.

BTW, nice job on the spoons too!
 
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