taking pics... - Orchid Board

got ants · #1 08-10-2009, 10:14 AM

A few questions....

First, I see most of you guys using some sort of black background. How is this accomplished? Black plastic (possible flash reflection)? Black shade cloth? Other methods?

Second, I also see you guys using thumb nails. I have always resized my pics and post them using html on other sites. Is it preferred to use the thumbnail method? I'm on a mac using photobucket, so I'm not quite sure how to do this.

Do you guys store pics (using thumbnail method) and is it preferred, or maintain my own pics off site?

BTW, I'm using a point and shoot Sony, so pic quality won't be that great, just want to learn and conform with this site.

Thanks in advance, Brady

Ray · #2 08-10-2009, 11:14 AM

Velvet is a better background, as it "absorbs" shadows better..

I built a Photo Background rack, and have humg different color velvet from it, depending upon the flower.

cb977 · #3 08-10-2009, 11:19 AM

Here's some info on posting pics here on OB:
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...chidboard.html

Royal · #4 08-10-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by got ants

A few questions....

First, I see most of you guys using some sort of black background. How is this accomplished? Black plastic (possible flash reflection)? Black shade cloth? Other methods?

BTW, I'm using a point and shoot Sony, so pic quality won't be that great, just want to learn and conform with this site.

Hey Brady,

First, you can take fine photos with cheaper cameras. Just study the user's manual to learn about all the bells and whistles. You can learn how to utilize the different pre-programmed settings and even tweak them to further meet your needs. All the photos I've posted here were taken using an economy digital.

For the background, Ray is right about the velvet. It's a "deeper" black. But there are a few other things to note:
1. position your subject several feet in front of the b/g. When you focus on the flower, the b/g will be out of focus so no wrinkles, creases, or lint shows.
2. adjust your b/g so that it is not as well lit as your subject. This will further darken the b/g in relation to your subject. Black felt, poorly lit, and out of focus will make the subject really pop out.

Other colors work very well too. These principals will work even without a backdrop.

Royal · #5 08-10-2009, 12:14 PM

These were all taken with a point-and-shoot camera. The first two are in front of felt. The Bc. Binosa is in front of a blue poster board. The Phal equestris is just in front of a nice blue sky. I'm no pro, but I think they are pretty good for a cheap-o camera.

cb977 · #6 08-10-2009, 12:34 PM

Lovely photos, Royal

I use a Kodak point and shoot too...and I usually use a blue background

got ants · #7 08-10-2009, 01:39 PM

Royal, thanx for the tips. One thing I see in your pics though, which might be hard to duplicate, is the lighting. By the shadows, it seems like you are using some other type of light source, other than the flash. Is this true" What type?

Royal · #8 08-10-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by got ants

Royal, thanx for the tips. One thing I see in your pics though, which might be hard to duplicate, is the lighting. By the shadows, it seems like you are using some other type of light source, other than the flash. Is this true" What type?

Sunlight.

Morning is best.

got ants · #9 08-10-2009, 01:50 PM

Here's an attempt from last night..
Oncidium Sweet Sugar

Camera: Canon Powershot SD 1oooo
Settings: Normal focus, flash ON, ISO 200
(taken at night)

1st pic plant, full frame

zoomed in to show full spread

zoomed in more to show better detail of flower

All pics were taken approx 8' away from subject, with background about 2' behind.

It was hard to get the camera to focus. Maybe I'll try with it set at "infinite" instead of normal. It would not focus at all in "macro" at night.

RosieC · #10 08-11-2009, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by got ants

First, I see most of you guys using some sort of black background. How is this accomplished? Black plastic (possible flash reflection)? Black shade cloth? Other methods?

I'm going to give away the secret of my recent pics here. My hubby holds up and old battered black sweatshirt and I take my pics with that in the background.

It's given some really good results with nice black backgrounds and no reflections, except for once when the natural light was very bright and the texture of the sweatshirt showed up. (I also use a shoot and click).

Quote:

Originally Posted by got ants

Second, I also see you guys using thumb nails. I have always resized my pics and post them using html on other sites. Is it preferred to use the thumbnail method? I'm on a mac using photobucket, so I'm not quite sure how to do this.

Personally when reading theads I prefer to see thumbnails or large images as in your last post on this thread, but posting them can be really complex and not everyone wants the effort of doing so, so I think it's really up to the person posting them.