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matilda Aug 9, 2006

Tomorrow I am to start taking pics of a wee cream coloured critter. Now when taking my pics I have found that the cream  needle felted faces would glow. It has been hard to settle down the pale colour.
Now with this pale cream, I'm expecting a great white flash on the film instead of a critter.
I am asking for tips now before I start. Just in order to save a bit of time. 
Is there anyone out there with experience with pale colours??? I would dearly love your input.
I have also read up on past posts. But so far I havent  come cross anything on pale colours.
A black bear, yes. A white one? havent found anything so far.
Wendy

Kat Aug 9, 2006

I took these against a navy blue background. One glows and the other doesn't. I think it just depends on the angle that you take the photo.
I don't really have a technique. Rob has a couple of digital cameras, so I just keep taking photos until I am happy with the result, then delete the bad ones.

jenny Aug 9, 2006

My  tip is to use a background that isn't too dark...ie depth wise is similar to your bear but is tonally different. So there isn't too much contrast happening. Such as pale pink or pale grey...

This is an ivory teddy but if I'd used a dark background then there would have been too much contrast.

Try to bounce some light onto the bear...this was taken in a light box outside with a refector disc bouncing the sunlight back at the bear. You will get glare occasionally with cream and white...but try using your spot meter function on you camera (if you have one..most cameras do)..that way the camera will measure the light on the bear...not the whole scene.

Try not to shoot in full sun either if you don't have a light box ...cloud cover is always best

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorAug 9, 2006

Everything Jenny said!

matilda Aug 10, 2006

Thankyou for the advice Jenny. I  just  found more functions on my camera because of you
Just by following some of your advice Jenny I ended up with the example in pink.
The black background is my first try before I logged on. Bernie isnt finished yet. So this is only test example pics. 
On the pink... the sun was behind me and bounced onto the table beside the set up. and the light dispersed over the critter.  The black is window on right with no direct sun.

I was just reading this morning that there is a new digital camera club just started locally. I think maybe I should approach them and give them a challenge. I've met the founder before. He has a photo-coffee house up at the beach.
Good coffee

It is usually always sunny here. Cloudy days are really quite a rarity. I have plans for a light box. So really must pull my finger out and get it built. Meanwhile I'll keep practicing with your advice in mind.
Wendy :thumbsup:

PS: your wee bear is adorable Jenny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and just wonderful photography.

matilda Aug 10, 2006

Oh sorry Kat. Almost forgot. Thankyou for replying. I dont know if you realise this, but on my screen your pics are so huge that they can be down right scary :crackup:
How long does it take to needle felt bears that large :crackup: 
Only teasing :hug:
Wendy

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorAug 10, 2006

Wendy, thanks for the kudos, and that would have been my advice, but in this particular case I merely "ditto"'d what Jenny wrote.  It was her beautiful bear on the pink background as well.

I'm happy to take all the credit, however, if Jenny declines it...

matilda Aug 10, 2006

Well how embarrassing! :redface:  :redface: Thankyou Shelli for bringing it too my attention. :redface: I'm glad I was going through my mail when I got this message   :redface:
Dear Jenny thankyou for the info!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have now edited my original post crediting the correct person. :redface:
Wendy :redface:
PS: Shelli, your bear is also gorgeous

jenny Aug 10, 2006

Hi Wendy, you can correct the colour on your bear by using the white balance button. My camera allows a reading to be taken ..in the same way you use the spot metre...which allows the camera to select the correct colour bias which means your bear would appear cream.
I usually manually select cloudy when using my light-box...and then tweak it using my editing programme of I have to. If I use my lamps I choose the fluorescent option...I can still alter it afterwards.

I would also select the centre weighted function for focussing...this allows the bear...if in the centre of the view-finder..to be nice and crisp while the background is nice and blurry!!

Jodi Falk Aug 10, 2006

Wow Great bear Jenny and good picture also. I find white bears to be hard to photograph . But I get pretty good shots out side. Or on a covered poarch where the direct sun doesn't shine.

This one was taken out side .

I usually do really early shots like 7 am or later in evening.

This one I did in side but on a soft blue back ground. I really like light blue , but I have had friends tell me thay don't like the blue sooooooo I guess you have to make your self happy.

matilda Aug 10, 2006

Just adore that little fella in the garden Jodi :dance: beautiful clear photo.

Jenny!! I had a little play with the camera while I re- read your instructions. Took a few shots of a bowl of oranges.  At first I couldnt figure out how to get them into centre focus without going all blury which has been the bain of my picture taking existence. I had the camera on auto focus.   :redface: Once I realised that and started mucking around with some of the other functions I think I got what you meant.  :doh: Sometimes I can be such a dunder head. :doh: 
Early tomorrow morning Bernie gets her proper photo shoot. She will be ready by then 
I'll post the results. Thankyou ever so much for your help.    
Fingers crossed Wendy :doh:

jenny Aug 10, 2006

Wendy ..You might like to try to focus the camera manually...that often helps. Use a tripod or steady the camera on a chair back or a step ladder. Set your aperture to about f8 by choosing 'aperure priority' mode on your camera and you should get good focus. Any smaller aperture (f11 or f16 +) means that you may then work at slower shutter speeds and so you'd definitely need a tripod..and any bigger..ie f5.6  ( the lower the number the bigger the aperture) means that the part of the image you focus on becomes less defined from the cameras viewpoint so, for example, the nose may be in focus but the eyes won't be. That can be visually pleasing but when you need to see a whole bear clearly it's not so good.

Have fun!!!

Kat Aug 10, 2006

Sorry Wendy.

The bear is only 3.5" tall. I uploaded the pic from my works computer. I don't have anything on here to downsize the pics.  :doh:

He isn't really scary. Honest  .

I will make the pics smaller when I get home tonight.

matilda Aug 14, 2006

Ok spent all day on this.      :redface:

Before and then after pics. I cant get her focused any clearer. Unfortunately :redface:
Apparently its the camera that is at fault as well as ME :doh:
Your advice hasnt been in vain Jenny, honest.  I ended up with the black background because the fabric I wanted to use was too flimsy and kept creating folds. So black card was all I had left.
At least Bernies colour is good. That is the colour in the flesh. I still cant figure out why the other turned the fabric yellow?  :doh:
Has any one else benifited by Jenny's tips? Show us your results? Dont be shy!!
Wendy

patsylakebears Aug 14, 2006

Wendy they seem to be better than what you were getting before ... I think I should try a diffrent colour back ground as we go for the black ..... Jenny your bear and photography are wonderful...

jenny Aug 14, 2006

Wendy are you using autofocus on your camera? If you are and you are using your macro mode that may be a clue as to why your photos are out of focus. I have been doing portrait photography for years and only just found out that on an autofocus camera ( I never owned an autofocus up till I joined the digital revolution!!) if you try to focus closer in than 3 feet ...ish..your camera can't 'auto' focus properly..so you need to manually focus. I couldn't get why my faces weren't sharp...then I tried it on manual and bingo!!! That was it.
Why is she yellowish on a pink background...well, it's the white balance again...maybe take a reading of something white or neutral grey to set the white balance..then you shouldn't get too much of a problem...It's just that your camera is trying to even out the colours to achieve grey...so your pinks will look a bit off as well. It's worth just experimenting with different colours.
I had a nightmare yesterday with red and white...the white was ...White and the red was really..really  red...so I had to fiddle about for ages.

Laurie Aug 14, 2006

Hi Jenny
    Brilliant tip on switching to manual focus I have been trying a couple of close up filters but haven't been able to focus very close up using auto, i've just tried it manually and with 2 filters +3 & +2 together i focused  a mere 4ins from my subject  :dance: it will open up a whole new world of macro photography for me.....none of my books suggested this simple solution.
Paul(Lauries hubby)

jenny Aug 14, 2006

Paul..I am was totally astounded that something so  simple works so well. I never knew that..I just happened to read the small print in a standard zoom lens leaflet (yes, that's what a saddo I am. I  am that person who actually reads the leaflets! LOL!!) and there it was in black and white so a I tried it and hey presto...teddy faces in focus..so good that you can see the stitches..so maybe that's not so good!!

Have fun!!!

Jare Hares & Bears Sep 3, 2006

I kept reading photo tips that I found online and then would go back a read the manuel that came with my camera until I go the pictures that I am happy with.
I am going to photo the boys today... That should be loads of fun... taking pictures of live cats... Anyone want to come over and help?

I found that adjusting the WB (white balance), slowing down the shutter speed, and using the multi-focus on my camera gives me the best results. I also adjust the aperture, on most digital cameras that is the EV button. EV= exposrue value = aperture.
Sometimes I open it up and othe times I need to close it down. It depends on the color of the bear. With lighter coloured bears I close it a bit (-.3 ~ -.7) and on darker coloured bears I open it (+.3 ~ +.7). Just play around with it. Sometimes I need to open it all the way up to +2.0 or close it to -2.0, but that is rare if ever. This has also helped me take better pictures for ebay.

I found a ton of tips on the ebay discussion boards. There are several people out there willing to share photo tips. You just need to take the time to look.

I was thinking of offering a photo classes at one of the bear show in schaumburg, just to give people a starting point... maybe.

SMILE! :photo:

matilda Sep 4, 2006

Thanks for the aditional advise Jared. I can use all the help I can get.
I have changed my settings form auto focus to night time. And I have had a play with the exposure.
My pics are a little bit better. With all this playing around I have found that my camera is missing a number of features. 
With a new camera (patience needed) and all this wonderful advice. I will soon be taking great photos.
Wendy

Jare Hares & Bears Sep 4, 2006

Well I just had to take pictures of the boys (Zippy & Teddy). I need to find them new homes.
That was fun taking pictures of moving animals. :doh:
Try it some time...

Eileen Sep 4, 2006

Thanks, Everybody :hug:

This information is pure

GOLD

:dance:

I've been having a terrible time with glare. I photographed a new mouse this weekend, shooting her on the front porch on a cloudly day. She's dressed in ivory-colored lace, which looks almost neon in the pix.

No amount of fiddling with the photo in PaintShopProX seemed to help much.

I'm going to reread these posts and take notes and then try again.

I was in such a hurry to get her onto my website that I totally forgot to give her whiskers. So I'll have to shoot her again anyway. :doh:

Just Us Bears Sep 5, 2006

Eileen I love your micees! Seems like you've hit on your thing with them! Beautiful!!

I too used the advice to photgraph a cream bear yesterday and was quite pleased with the results. Will share pics next week as she is for a comp this weekend.

Eileen Sep 5, 2006

Thanks, Hayley--I love making different critters. Got a Squirrel in the works . . . .

Milly's got her whiskers on now, so I'm going to try to spend the day experimenting with my camera and all the backgrounds I can find. Wish me luck!

matilda Sep 5, 2006

Jared where are the PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :photo:  :photo: please
Hayley good luck on the comp!!! :photo: from you as well please.
Eileen? where are the new pics? :photo:  :photo:
Paul?  :photo: please. I want to see the pics that were taken 4 inches from subject!!!
By crikey I'm a bossy cow    
Wendy (big cheeky grin) :redface: