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Many people want to take good pictures of things. For instance, if you want to publish an Instructable, you would want to take superb photographs. Well, I'm on the low budget side of things when it comes to hobbies so when documenting things I really don't want to spend much on taking pictures. Well, if you're like me, or if you're not, this Instructable is for you. I intend this for beginners who are just getting started and need an easy and cheap way to go. However, if you are a more experienced photographer, I would really appreciate if you could comment with tips or anything to help "rookies" get started. Thanks and enjoy!
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Signing UpStep 1Stuff
I'll try to keep this simple. There are three steps to get a good picture, Stuff, Setup, and Snap.
Step One - Stuff
When taking pictures, Good Lighting is Essential. Nothing is worse than seeing a picture with bad lighting. Since we're on the cheap side, most times I use sunlight. Other than that, I use and ordinary 12v adjustable reading lamp. Positioned correctly, it almost doesn't matter what light you use.
Next, you want a good background. There are many tutorials on how to make a cheap light box or other things like that. You can use one but I don't. I don't want all that hassle. I use plain old white poster paper. It's very cheap, you can roll it up, and it's replaceable. You can use a wide variety of colors too. Make sure, however, that you use the paper kind, not the cardboard kind. In reality, If you're taking a picture of something small, you can even use printer paper.
You will also need stability. If you don't have a steady hand, which most of us don't, you can use a tripod. Don't have one? Don't fret, just make one! There are many Instructables on this site. In fact, I just published one, Instructables. Aside from bad lighting, nothing is worse than a blurry photo.
Oh and you'll need a camera too. Any old digital camera will do if used correctly. Don't have one? Use your phone. I've seen great pictures taken with phones. Like I said, as long as you have good lighting and stability, it's going to turn out great.
Step One - Stuff
When taking pictures, Good Lighting is Essential. Nothing is worse than seeing a picture with bad lighting. Since we're on the cheap side, most times I use sunlight. Other than that, I use and ordinary 12v adjustable reading lamp. Positioned correctly, it almost doesn't matter what light you use.
Next, you want a good background. There are many tutorials on how to make a cheap light box or other things like that. You can use one but I don't. I don't want all that hassle. I use plain old white poster paper. It's very cheap, you can roll it up, and it's replaceable. You can use a wide variety of colors too. Make sure, however, that you use the paper kind, not the cardboard kind. In reality, If you're taking a picture of something small, you can even use printer paper.
You will also need stability. If you don't have a steady hand, which most of us don't, you can use a tripod. Don't have one? Don't fret, just make one! There are many Instructables on this site. In fact, I just published one, Instructables. Aside from bad lighting, nothing is worse than a blurry photo.
Oh and you'll need a camera too. Any old digital camera will do if used correctly. Don't have one? Use your phone. I've seen great pictures taken with phones. Like I said, as long as you have good lighting and stability, it's going to turn out great.
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I was using my digital to take the pictures and I needed a camera to be a 'model'
I also like using my Film camera for professional projects because I find the image quality to be much better that the image of a digital SLR.
Thanks for the comment
Here's an example of a lens I'm selling, background is poster paper like in your tutorial. Flash was bounced off white ceiling (For the SLR people - f8 1/200 50mm)
Two things I'd add are that newer CFLs don't combine well with sunlight, the white balance can't adjust between the two light sources and ends up with a yellow cast. Halogens give lovely lighting and you can also get great shadows using one of these.
Also The flash can be used, if you rig up a simple diffuser for it, though getting it right is trickier than using a proper flashgun. Though a tripod isn't entirely necessary, if you want crisp macros with full depth of field you will need one unless you have some serious lighting stuff about...
Not a bad set of tips. But flash is used all the time professionally. Perhaps you should change that to "avoid direct or on-camera flash", rather than flash (strobes) in general...
Also, you could increase the shadow detail and reduce the foreground shadow with reflectors on each side of the camera. "Pros" often use small mirrors too, for "tabletop" shots--to selectively bounce a little light into specific spots, or to create a highlight on reflective objects...
Very good photos :)