Cameras!

[Wik]

Hey guys. I noted a lot of good posts in here about HOW to take pics of your collection. I am wondering though, WHAT you use to take pics? What kind of cameras do you guys use?

Regular digital cams?

Digital SLRs?

lol Cell phone cameras?

I ask becuase I have a nice (but older) digital camera. I was told to use Macro setting (didn't think of this initially!) but my pictures have still come out not so good. Fugpaw swears by a tripod as well, I can certainly see the benefit of one! But when it comes down to it, the camera quality is also VERY key.

I see some amazing pics of stuff on these forums. I sadly don't seem to be able to do anything NEAR as good with my collection lol. I am just wondering since my camera is a bit older, processor is a little slower, shutter speed is slower...etc etc if all that might be playing a big role in my crappy pics as well, so what do YOU use!


Ryan

[Laurence Strong]

Lighting plays a big role as well. I find that you also need to just keep taking photo's till you fiqure out what works best.

[gregM]

You do not need the latest most expensive super high megapixel
camera. I know a lot of these guys use old 2mega pixel cameras.

For closeup work you need to use the macro setting. If you can
change the ISO setting of your camera, set it to "100". Do not
hand hold the camera. Use a tripod or bean bag or something to
steady the camera and then use the self timer. This will take care
any blur from camera movement.

The rest is lighting and exposure. Don't be afraid to experiment.
Take the camera off automatic and play with the exposeur controls.
Generally--the longer the the exposeure , the cleaner, more detailed
the picture.

These are just general ideas to use.

The most important tip is------practice, practice, PRACTICE.
and-----have fun.

[Wik]

You do not need the latest most expensive super high megapixel
camera. I know a lot of these guys use old 2mega pixel cameras.

For closeup work you need to use the macro setting. If you can
change the ISO setting of your camera, set it to "100". Do not
hand hold the camera. Use a tripod or bean bag or something to
steady the camera and then use the self timer. This will take care
any blur from camera movement.

The rest is lighting and exposure. Don't be afraid to experiment.
Take the camera off automatic and play with the exposeur controls.
Generally--the longer the the exposeure , the cleaner, more detailed
the picture.

These are just general ideas to use.

The most important tip is------practice, practice, PRACTICE.
and-----have fun.

Greg thanks for the info! I was hoping my camera's quality wasn't the reason. I will try what you said. I always use macro, but my camera's auto focus doesn't seem to FOCUS lol. I am sure my movements also effect the outcome. I do need a tripod or as you said, a beanbag (great idea). I will check out my exsposures and see how that helps. I always thought I was a solid photographer but apperently only when i'm out drinking, and not with medals


Ryan

[Mr.Jerry D]

The macro setting usually works between 6"-12" so it is only good for close ups. be sure you are zoomed all the way out, and try to move the item into an area that the camera can focus. use a tripod. Get good lighting outdoors or with lights use no flash

I use a very old Sony digital camera, but I love the macro setting it has

[Marc Garlasco]

Here you go:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ight=photo+box

[Wik]

Here you go:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ight=photo+box

Marc, you are the man! Thanks a ton. I love the specifics, I think this will help a great deal. I will have to go out and buy a little tripod. After that I will have to post some pics of my small collection!


Ryan

[Wik]

So I got the tripod, went ahead and set the ISO way down, shut off the flash and BOOM pics looks good...imagine that!

I'm off to work for right now but some pics of my collection will follow, just to make sure they look as good when posted as they do on the camera! Thanks a bunch all.



Ryan

[Wik]

Well I snapped a few pics of all the pieces in my (very small!) collection! I figured I would share one major thing I am finding out as I look at these pics:

I couldn't use natural light. By the time I got off work it was dark. So I couldn't use natural light. I have some picks with a red background, some with a white. I myself have not yet looked at all the pics, but it seems to me that with natural light it's probably better to use white, with a lamp the red seemed to come out a bit better. Overall these are FARRRRR better then anything else I have ever done so I am excited regardless. However, keep in mind for whatever reason when using the white background the SWB and edges of my EKs tend to look a bit more brown or sepia toned then when I use the red! Something I will keep in mind, but also figured I would share and see if others have had similiar experience!


Ryan


P.S. I just realized I took these pictures on the highest quality and size....OOPS I think I am gonna need to change that but here is the first pic to see how it goes! hahaha

[Wik]

Alright so yes, the pics are WAY to large. I should tame the settings down on my camera...I didn't even think of this until I saw it say the pic was 2.8 MBs! hahaha Well I will get some more small ones but for now here is a nice GIANT pic of my EKI with the cool patina!


Ryan

[Wik]

Alright I don't have a ton of time (still gotta study for a pesky history test tomo!) but here is a pic of the same EKI after I changed the setting for size!


Ryan

[gregM]

I keep my camera set on the largest photo size. I use my computor to resize it afterwards.

[Wik]

I keep my camera set on the largest photo size. I use my computor to resize it afterwards.

I am pretty computer savy but I have never needed to do anything like this so I don't have any practice in it. What exactly do you do? It doesn't require photoshop does it?

Ryan

[gregM]

Ryan,
I use photoshop but if you have installed a printer or scanner onto your
computor--then more than likely you have some sort of a basic photo
editing software with it that will allow you to crop and resize your pictures.

My printer came with something called "HP Image Zone" and my scanner
came with "Photo Impressions" . Both of these programs will allow you to
tweak your pictures. Almost all printers and scanners come with some kind
of photo software--not necessarily the two I mentioned.

[Stu W]

Microsoft Power Toys

Hello Ryan,

If you use Windows XP you may find the free Image Resizer program of great help. Many of us are using it. Won't work with Vista though. Here is a link...

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/d...powertoys.mspx

...it's about half way down the list on the right side. Very easy to use. Select then right click on image(s) and a pop up menu will offer several size choices.

As to the photo skills themselves I suggest that you read up on Depth of Field next (that's the distance in front and behind your subject that will still be in focus) and when you have that figured out you will be ready to challenge JR. for the Best Photographer on WAF title.

Kind regards,
Stu