Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I totally understand how you feel, Kim! I don't blame you one bit for being upset. :hug:  :hug:
If it makes you feel better, your beautiful little bear FAR outstrips the copy in workmanship, detail and appeal.

Thank you Gail, Jenny and Bobbie for the great information! I'm sure it will help a lot of people here besides just me. I truly appreciate you all taking the time to reply.

Jenny, I use a white piece of paper to white balance, holding it right in front of the bear, but I've noticed I get varying results. I'm pretty sure it's the operator and not the camera so I need to be a bit more careful when doing this. Probably a piece of matte white cardstock would be better.

Bobbie that is a great informative article and wonderfuly clear explanation of lux, lumens and color temperature. Thank you so much for posting it. I have printed it to keep for reference.

I said:

Jenny said

Bobbie said:

As I read these posts I had one of those 'Well duh, I feel pretty dumb now' moments.  :doh: Obviously, if real daylight gives the best results, bulbs that most closely mimic daylight are the ones to choose. Yet I haven't tried them. Just because I really don't light the blue white light they give for my household light so I guess I unconsiously let that prejudice steer me away from them for photography? How dumb is that? Obviously I wasn't using my brain. I hate it when I do that.  

I don't have a source for true photo bulbs nearby so I'm off to find some high K, high CRI, cool white daylight bulbs. I'll take some new pics and post the results.

Thanks again ladies for all the helpful information. You are gems!

True or false it's a great story! I loved it, thanks for posting it Jane!

I saw that episode yesterday! It was fascinating and well worth watching again. Great job Michael!

Hi Bobbie! Nice to see your smiling face!

I learned about emptying my cache here on TT too, for the same reason. We are so lucky to have Quy to keep us lined out!

Thanks for the replies! I've added some photos so you can see what I'm talking about.

Jenny,
I have an SLR but prefer using my digital for web photos. I may have to switch if I can't work this out. On the digital camera I have, f8 is the largest f-stop (smallest aperture) it has. I usually take all my bear photos at f8 and varying shutter speeds with bracketing. (I've learned that what looks good on my camera's little screen usually looks completely different on the computer.) 
I do use a tripod and auto focus. I will try manual focus as you suggest.

Bobbie,

Yes, I have this problem in a lot of photos taken without some natural light.

Here are the pics. The first two are taken with indirect sunlight and 5 fluorescent bulbs. The rest are taken with arificial light, same f-stop, different shutter speeds to compensate for less light of course... and I do set the white balance manually before each shooting session.

The color in these two photos is pretty accurate on my monitor. Now how do I get similar results with artificial light?

These were taken with fluorescent lights.

This one was taken with halogen lights.

In spite of white balancing, these pics taken with artificial light still have a distinct color cast. Also I think they look brassy with washed-out highlights and lost detail in the fur. Is it just that I need MORE light? Maybe daylight bulbs? I think they are the only type I haven't tried.

Thanks for you help!

To get right to the point, my main question is this: What type of lights (and how many) do you use for your bear pics? I've tried a variety, but still get the best (but not great) results with indirect sunlight. Still, I would like to take pictures anytime with out waiting for the atmospheric conditions to cooperate!

To elaborate further ...  I've been trying to improve my photography skills. I've read every post I could find here on photography at least twice. I have a light tent -homemade but serviceable- I have what I think is a decent 4.0mp camera and have read the manual from cover to cover. I know how to work the darn thing but I still can't get what I would call a high quality picture.
Even after setting the white balance I still have to color correct in photoshop. I've tried every exposure setting on my camera and still can't get the detail I want. Is it me? Is it my computer monitor? Is it me? Is it my camera? Is it the lights I'm using? Is it me? ~sigh~

Maybe I am being too particular, but as I look through the galleries here I see wonderful, detail rich photos that I can't seem to acheive. How do you do it?

Around this part of Missouri, we've noticed that the robins haven't migrated for the past three year! Very unusual!

Mild winters not only mean more flies, but more ticks and chiggers too. Bleck.

Aw Sandra, How sweet and caring your daughter is! (Another teary eyed bearmaker here )

Well if that makes you a nutball then I'm one too. As a child I always endowed my most loved toys with personalities and feelings. I do the same with my bears to a certain degree. I guess for me that's part of the appeal of bear making... It brings back a bit of that lovely childhood fun and whimsy that often gets lost or forgotten in the responsibilities of adulthood.
Wendy you are so right about a lived in house lasting longer. The same must be true for teddies. How can a little gentle loving be bad for anything?  I want my bears to be loved, hugged, handled and hold up to it and strive to continualy improve them with this in mind. Everything deteriorates eventually but, like so many have said, some of the most cherished teddies are those that show the clear signs of having been loved and hugged and played with.

Thanks Sandra for the great topic! It's been fascinating and so educational.

Hi Debbie!

I think Debbie's Bears is a great name. Simple, easy to remember and associates your name with your business.
I wanted to go with the name Bonnie Bears or even Bonita Bares (bonita being my given name) but both were already taken. Since I already used Mountain Dreamer Designs for my other art endeavors, I just went with Mountain Dreamer Bears.
Which is all totally beside the point.   anyhooo.... I just learned something the other day I thought I'd share with you although you may already now about it. In Missouri if you are doing business under a name that doesn't include your last name and a 'recognizable version' of your first name, you have to register a "fictitious name." Strange but true.  It only costs $7 for five years. Here is the link for more info:

http://www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporat … us_faq.asp

Kathy I'm so glad Kellisa is doing better!
:clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

What an interesting topic. Great food for thought.

I feel this way too. 100%.
From the very start I've tried to learn and think about what will last... maybe not for hundreds of years unscathed but more than just a few! Something I can honestly call heirloom quality. But some things you just don't think about failing ...like florist tape. Makes sense now that it has been brought up! Maybe ribbon is a better choice?
Since that long discussion on glue use a while back I've been a bit leary of it, but I do confess to using a bit now and then, but only to hold something in place until I can afix it in a more permanent way. Ie: sewing in place!
I've also noticed that elastic now-a-days doesn't last at all while the older stuff still has some life in it. I wonder if it is because they used to use real rubber from rubber trees in it and now they use something synthetic?
Anyway, I know I'll be looking at everything I consider using in bearmaking with new eyes! I would simply hate to think of one of my bears just falling apart after all the time end effort that goes into them.

My heart goes out to you Eileen,  I'm so sorry for your loss. :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:
It is so hard to lose a beloved pet. 16 years!  She was lucky to have a great mom like you and you were both fortunate to have each other for so long. Big big hugs to you! :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Tami, Janet and Charlotte, I hope you all stay safe and warm and your loved ones too too! Just think of all the bears you can get done.
Hmmmm... mohair, french toast and snow ice cream... sounds like a party to me! lol :dance:

Ohhh, so sorry to hear this! Are you sure you didn't break something? I hope you get an x-ray when you see your doctor.
I sprained my ankle when I was young, ruptured some ligaments and it wasn't treated correctly or soon enough. It never healed properly and hindered me in a lot of ways for years. It's better now, but still flares up when I over use it. I bring this up only to emphasize how imprtant it is to get proper treatment.

Please take care of yourself and I hope everything heals up quickly and completely!  :hug:

Merry Christmas Kassity. Texas Mythical Drummer is gorgeous.

Hppy Holidays Marion!

Thanks Lena, Merry Christmas!

Thank you Carolyn, Happy holidays to you too!

Cute! Glad to see Buck   has recovered and is back on duty.

Thank you Jane, Merry Christmas to you too!

Sure, I'll play.  Articicle, are you going to make a critter too?

He's absolutely darling!  Well done Sandi. Your a lucky girl Sonya! :dance:

This has been so much fun!  :dance: Everyone's ornaments are wonderful. :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Thanks Lynn! Merry Christmas to you too!