The Dutchman Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 For those of you who have pictures of baits on web sites, some backgrounds are wood, paper, and some are "clear" - no background. Just wondering what works best and how you do yours. I am especially interested in the "no background". Thanks, Joe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millsryno Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 You'd be surprised of how well a white peice of paper does to give you "no background". For perfect pics, sunlight is a must, no flash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrs5kprs Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 I've had pretty good luck using a 12"x12" piece of white ceramic tile. Lighting is key, as is shooting lots of pics to get the "right" one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dungeonhawk5 Posted March 6, 2006 Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 Here is one of the most important things when photographic pics... Use white paper, sure... thats a must... But use the PEN TOOL in photoshop to cut around corners properly and to get your image on to a transparent background, turned in to a gif and displayed... makes a world of difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldzoller Posted March 6, 2006 Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 I am a photography teacher and have lots of experience taking this kind of picture. Take a sheet of white poster board (paper will work, too), very cheap at Wal-mart. Bend the board so about 1/2 the board is flat on a tabletop or counter top. Use a stack of books or the wall to support the other 1/2 of the board which should be vertical (standing up). This will put a nice, gentle curve in the board and help eliminate distracting shadows when you photograph. Place the lure near the beginning of the curve. Next, frame up the lure so there is minimal background. Too much white empty space is a bad thing. Also, if you are using a digital camera, use the macro focusing mode. Macro allows you to get super close with you camera and still have a focused picture. So many pics I see on this sight are out of focus. Get the camera close, try not to use too much zoom. On the camera, look for a little button with an icon that looks like a black tulip. Also, check the cameras manual, it should explain it there. Get the camera close and push the shutter button down about halfway. This will lock in the focus and you can check the picture on the LCD screen (the little TV on the back of the digital camera) before you actually take the picture. I agree with the others, sunlight is the best kind of light, but electric light from an lamp or overhead light will work, too. Do not use a flash, that light it too strong with the camera so close. When you're ready, take the picture! Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldzoller Posted March 6, 2006 Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 Here are a couple of examples of some crankbaits that I took using my digital camera and the macro mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dutchman Posted March 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 I think I have your idea for the paper or poster board. However, so I am 100% sure could you possibly post a picture of the set-up Thanks Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldzoller Posted March 6, 2006 Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB GONE Posted March 6, 2006 Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 The photo needs to be good but Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop can make the "background" dissapear no matter what you use to photograph your baits on. No flash and the macro (flower button) is the big key!!! Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dutchman Posted March 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 Thank you all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dvowell Posted March 6, 2006 Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 I agree and disagree with the no flash rule that's being taunted here. For most users, no flash is just great...however; I shoot all of my baits (and other objects) in a product softbox and use monolights (esentially large, high powered flash units) on the outside of the box and get near shadowless photos as a result. I bought my box, but making them is fairly easy and you don't have to use monolights. You can use regular flashes or just regular old tungsten lights if you want, just make sure you have a reflector on them to direct the light. I believe Lapala (maybe?) or someone else posted a pic here one time of how to make a box...if not, just check out any photo supply store or ebay and you'll be able to find a small one for not a lot of cash. You can change out the backgrounds really easy in them as well. Now, I personally feel that using the flash units with my box gives me the utmost in flexibility...I've created various attachments for them and can pretty much put the light exactly where I want it. All of this being said, nothing beats natural light...you'd be surprised at what you can do just using window light. WATCH YOUR EXPOSURE when shooting with digital point and shoots (or any camera for that matter) against an all white background. It will fool your light meter in the camera! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm Posted March 6, 2006 Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 I've found that some of the colors we use must react to the ultraviolet light in sunlight. Ususlly a strobe flash will reproduce the color faithfully, but tungsten light just doesn't do it justice. In that case, it's easier to take a picture using natural sunlight than setting up the multiple flashes it takes to get a good shot indoors. Often a fill flash helps outdoors, though. I think if you could get a decent shot with the curved paper background and maybe a tin foil reflector on the side to fill in the flash shadow in back of the target, that's probably about all the effort any of us are willing to expend on a picture. Thanks, everybody, for the mega contribution to our collective knowledge base lately. It's great. jm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
