Basscrack Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 i know ive seen some post that talks about how to get a good picture of plastics but i couldn't find it using the search. Every time i take photos i can't see the veins or flake very well or i light them to bright with the flash. I know some of you guys take great photos like bass8baits, nova GAbassnerd. I was wondering if you guys could give me a few pointers like sun light vs flash or best background colors thnx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParzLou Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 If you can always try to use natural light and avoid your flash . if not try a back lighting with the GE natural lite bulbs ... the name escapes me right now but there called soft white or something I think sorry about that ...lol if you want some closeups with you digital flash camera heres a good trick to try Take a empty plastic gallon milk jug not a clear plastic but the ones that are kinda foggy or opaque if you know what I mean. now cut the bottom out of it so it will sit as flat as possible now at the top cut a large enough square shape so that your camera will sit kinda level with the lens and flash kinda inside the jug . Now take a white sheet or towel put it on a flat surface and place your bait on the towel .. put your jug over the bait rest your camera ontop and Zoom in on the bait ,, focus and take your pics... The milk jug and the towel will defuse the flash so it does not glare on you but still provide plenty of light for clear and detailed closeups... good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 I've just got a $200 camera, nothing fancy. I the function on "close-up", make sure the sun is behind me through my windows and doesn't cause a shadow on the baits. Get as close as possible viewing through the display. You are going to loose some of the effect of highlites. A camera is not like the human eye. If I want to defuse the flash I take a piece of kleenex, double it and hold it over the flash with an elastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB GONE Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 From experience I can tell you that it takes time to learn your camera. I could not take a good picture for a LONG time!!! Here is what I do: I put my bait (if it is any color than white) on a bright white sheet of paper, I use as much indirect light as possible (otherwise you get shadows from the sun, lamp etc.). I NEVER use the flash and I use the button on my camera for close ups...my close up button looks like a flower!!! The most important thing I did was to get a simple tripod!!! If you aren't perfectly still, you get a blurry shot!!! I also learned Paint Shop Pro and how to remove backround colors... I only have a 2.1 megapixel camera (fuji)...it is no big deal. Once followed some of the directions from other TU members, it was easy... Keep trying different things but be sure to get a little tripod. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Jim, I think you have the same camera I have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basscrack Posted March 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 thanks guys hopefully ill get some pictures up soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BASS8BAITS Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Also use your timer snap shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojo Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 The camera doesn't make too much of a difference unless it's a piece of junk. I use a 3 year old 2.1 MP Canon. The two most important things are a tripod and lighting. If you have a macro setting (the flower symbol) on your camera, use it. This is for short range focusing. Usually closer than 2 feet or so. Also, if you have a timer use it as well. This allows the camera to be as still as possible when the pic is taken. Macro focus tends to exaggerate any movement at all with a blurry picture. Also, turn off the flash unless you're using it for a fill (lighting the back of the object). Oh, and you may have to adjust your exposure to max. This helps me get the whitest white that I can. This function can be accessed in manual mode. If you're shooting indoors you need lots of light. Check you're camera settings and see if you can change the white balance adjustment to the type of lighting that you're using. Incandescent bulbs need to use the tungsten setting. Some cameras have fluorescent, halogen and more. Also, the light needs to be diffused somehow. A white bedsheet hung in front of the light will do the job. Diffusion helps to get rid of heavy shadows . You can buy light tents, but they can be costly. Basically a light tent is a frame with a white fabric on 5 sides. Like a square box with the top open. The opening faces to the side and you point your camera through it to take the pic. A separate sheet of white poster board can be used to bounce the light where you need it. It acts like a mirror to bounce the light to the more heavily shadowed side. I actually use 3 lights when I shoot indoors. I use a Craftsman halogen work light on high and two 100 watt incandescents. The brightest light on one side, a 100 watt opposite, and the other 100 watt above. It sounds more complicated than it is. If you need more help tell us the model camera that you have and I can look up the manual online and get more info. No, I'm NOT a professional photographer, but my brother is. And I picked his brain for a week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senkosam Posted March 28, 2005 Report Share Posted March 28, 2005 Great advice Mojo - you should be a pro photographer! Good advice from all. A few of my observations: Sunlit pics come out very natural looking and shadows can be pronounced depending on sun angle and whether indoors or out. Use flash if you need to get rid of shadow or on an overcast day. Sunset light gives nice color, but you may need to also use the flash to fill in shadowed areas. When using a flash, don't place the object on a shiny surface (flash back). Macro setting, timer and tripod, as stated, a must! The higher the megapixel, the finer the detail. 2 mp might not resolve .008 flakes for example, which is the finest resolution ever needed. .015 flake rez is usually all that's necessary. A magnifying glass can be used if the background light or white artificial light is used and it's resolution will give a different effect than camera rez. Always make sure the lens is cleaned of all smudges or blurred pics will result. Set the camera at the highest resolution and then downsize the pic later. My pics will come out 20"x20" and I then reduce them to 4.5-5" jpegs. Gif format may lose a few colors. To demonstrate translucent colors and texures, suspend the lure in front of a white florescent bulb. The flash will not come on and the exposure will be proper. I use a hook and mono. Light lures - darker background; dark lures, lighter background. Wood or stone is a natural and neutral background for any lure color, as is a woods, grass or weed background. A white background is good in case you want to copy the object to other backgrounds or for packaging, but I prefer muted backgrounds that aren't as stark. Good luck and post a few. Here are a few of my creations and hybrids: http://senkosamsothercreations.blogspot.com/ http://morecabinfevercreations.blogspot.com/ http://senkosam.blogspot.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
