Picture question...

[vishezfish]

What is the best way to take a picture of your product so that it will show the color well and flakes?

I checked out alot of the websites on here and they look very good!

Some of my pics don't show up good... Like the darker colors. I have a junebug bait that is on the website and it looks almost black. I'm using a good digital camera and put them on white paper for the backround before I take the pic..

Thanks again for your help!

If anyone would like samples, pm me!! Anytime!

Vf

www.geocities.com/bitenbass

[woodsac]

Lots and lots of light :!: Whenever possible, use outdoor lighting. Try and avoid using the flash. It creates a glare on the baits. Try setting up bright lights on both sides and above your bait. Move the light above the bait towards the front enough to get rid of any shadows.

I use some pretty nice photo editing software for the final touches. There are some colors that I just can't get to be exact no matter what I do. But I continue to adjust the color until it's as close to the real thing as possible. I recently purchased a Samigon-Internet Photo Studio. Got it off E-Bay for $150. It has 2 5000W bulbs. One top, one bottom. The top one is adjustable. It slides up and down and tilts to eliminate shadows. It's small, 8 1/2x11. Same size as a piece of paper. I haven't got to play with it too much yet.

Always use a tripod. Even if it's a little $15 one from Wal-Mart. It really helps with the quality! Depending on how much time you have, also use the timer. Just these 2 things make a big difference. But the colors take practice. Oh ya, try adding a white backdrop to help reflect the light.

[OLe Coyote]

HI;

Use flourescent light above and slightly forward of your lure, I use a desk lamp and then I use the flash to get rid of the shadows. I also use a very pale green background that will turn almost white when you use it with a digital camera. I zoom in and use the macro focus and have had great luck with all colors on my lures. I would post a few pictures but I do not know how to do that on this site, not real good with computers!

[LaPala]

I agree with woodsac. Outdoor (natural) light and a TRIPOD.

I disagree with the lots of light bit though. I use diffused light to avoid glare (light shining the light souce thru a thin white cloth hood over the lure) and since your lure is not going to go any where when you're photographing it, use a tripod with longer exposure should cover the "not-enough-light" problem (I don't mean a 5 second exposure with one torch light on your lure though ). And if your digital camera has a custom white balance setting use it. For the flake & glitters, use a second light source positioned at an angle that will reflect the glitter/flakes to it's advantage (check in your viewfinder the result or since digital means the overhead is only battery power shoot lots of test shots to fine the perfect angle).

Just my 2 cents.

[woodsac]

LaPala,

longer exposure should cover the "not-enough-light" problem (I don't mean a 5 second exposure with one torch light on your lure though ). And if your digital camera has a custom white balance setting use it.

I agree. But unfortunately, most people don't even know that their cameras are capable of doing any of this.

That's why I recommended lots of light. The more surrounding light you have, the better it will truly depict your colors. If you try and compensate for lack of light by using your flash, you are going to get glare.

Don't be afraid of your digital camera. They all have confusing menus. Sit down and take the time to look thru them. As long as you don't change any settings, you can't hurt anything. Most of them even have a 'default setting' so if you mess something up, you can set the camera back to the way it was when you got it.

[LaPala]

I agree. But unfortunately' date=' most people don't even know that their cameras are capable of doing any of this.

[/quote']

I believe we should steer them towards the correct direction in unveiling the true potential of their digital cameras. If they get more confused along the way, I'm sure good/talented people here who knows how to would be more then willing to shed more light on the issues. But I agree going digital is quite a whole new ball-game in photography with it's own issues like color-profile, monitor/printer calibration & post-processing. To confuse things more:- not all computer monitors are created alike; what you see on your screen may not be what I see on mine. Check out this page on color calibration: http://www.aim-dtp.net/index.htm :!: It's very technical & very involved, if you followed the instructions there & find your monitor is not up to par & decide to get a new one (expensive) don't blame me. I do digress. :oops: