Micki Switzer's Photography

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Tips for Photographing Cards

Hello Friends,

Since I am away from my scraproom I thought I would post a few tips for photographing your cards.

LIGHTING....is the single most important thing in your photograph.  Photographers love the light coming in from a north-facing window.  If you have one...use it..I don't have one so I have to make do.   If your photo always comes out with a funny color....too green, too yellow, too blue...it's the kind of light in your room...  Flourescent bulbs can make your picture a funny green or yellow color...LED light is really, really blue....  Each kind of light has a temperature (no, not a fever)... 

Use a background....like a solid color pice of cloth.  This will help the viewer just focus on the card.  Have the background really really flat with no wrinkles or really crumpled with lots of wrinkles. 

Props - If you use props around your card, don't over do it so that it takes the viewers eye away from the card.  Your hard work is the subject...not the things around it.  Use props that add to the photograph not take over the photograph.

Offset - Just like when making your card....you don't have to always have it in the center...  If you offset your card...always have it facing slightly into the picture....not facing out of the picture.  This will lead the eye to move off the photo.

Use different angles - I always enjoy viewing a photo that isn't just a straight view to the front of the card.  Move your camera all around for different angles....



I hope these tips weren't too "old hat" for you....Just Basics!!!

It's snowing here in Wisconsin today, but for a southern girl like me...it's a nice change.  My mother is having surgery here next week so I am staying at her house an extra couple of weeks to help out.  Her gallbladder is "kaput"...the surgery is outpatient so her recovery will be pretty quick.  I'm going to check out a local scapbook store today that has a really good selection of paper....I'll let you know what I find...
Hopefully, I will venture out in the cold soon and take some pictures....

8 comments:

Kellie said...

Hi, I'm Kellie from the Glitterbees just stopping by to say hi. I will keep your tips in mind next time I photograph a card. Thanks

Vicki said...

Thanks for the tips. Micki! Hope your Mom does well! Will keep her in our prayers! Enjoy the snow while you can! Blessings to you!

Annie said...

This is Awesome. Thank you so much for these tips. I always find so difficult to take a good picture. I normaly try to put them against my beige wall, but my problem is the fact that I'm always trying to have pictures face the camera. I'm going to try your tips :) thank you!

Anne said...

Thanks for the tips, always welcome :)

Hope your Mum is making a good recovery from her surgery, Happy New Year to you both

Carrie said...

Thanks for the tips Micki. I've tried everything from natural light to putting the card under a lamp..lol I even started using sheet of white cs behind the cards.

Mary G. said...

Thanks for the tips! I really need to hone my photo taking skills!

loretta said...

Hi!

Love your stamp area, I know you will enjoy it for many years!

Joanne Gilch said...

Hope your Mom heals quickly and safely. prayers from me for both of you. Thanks for the photo tips. joanne aka soc, sbs1o29