How to take better pictures?

[Goodfella]

Hello!

I am looking for some guidance on taking shots of my various keyboard stuffs and I need some help!

Any tips for your basic point and shoot 12mp camera? I have a tripod, I bought a white poster-board to put underneath, etc. but all my pictures still look like hell and I end up using my iphone and giving up...

Any advice on basic camera settings or any tips and tricks for taking better shots, closeups, etc?

Thanks,
Patrick

[Jocelyn]

Take them outside when it's sunny

[jdcarpe]

MOAR LIGHT

And use a low ISO setting.

Tripod, more light, low ISO.

This is pretty good: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2399400,00.asp

[SmallFry]

Take them outside when it's sunny

This. I hate inside pics despite taking them constantly. Outside is so pretty.

[PointyFox]

Actually, more ISO helps indoors if you can't hold your camera steady enough.

[Lastpilot]

Actually, more ISO helps indoors if you can't hold your camera steady enough.

Are you sure you're not confusing ISO with shutter speed?

Edit: lol nevermind i read that wrong.

[PointyFox]

Actually, more ISO helps indoors if you can't hold your camera steady enough.

Are you sure you're not confusing ISO with shutter speed?

Nope, higher ISO results higher shutter speed for the same exposure level.

[Grim Fandango]

I have found that good lighting makes a ton of difference.

You can make decent looking pictures with modest hardware if you manage to get some good lighting. Unless you have specialized equipment, good lighting usually means natural lighting (aka sun).

[jdcarpe]

Actually, more ISO helps indoors if you can't hold your camera steady enough.

Which is why I recommend use of tripod. Also, the way to deal with unsteady hands is faster shutter speed. But use tripod.

Faster shutter speed for a given EV will require larger aperture, which then reduces depth of field. But use tripod.

Um, can you tell I want you to use that tripod?

[tjcaustin]

So you're saying if I can't take the picture while holding the camera, I should just accept the blur?

[jdcarpe]

So you're saying if I can't take the picture while holding the camera, I should just accept the blur?

Just stop taking pictures.

[PointyFox]

Actually, more ISO helps indoors if you can't hold your camera steady enough.

Which is why I recommend use of tripod. Also, the way to deal with unsteady hands is faster shutter speed. But use tripod.

Faster shutter speed for a given EV will require larger aperture, which then reduces depth of field. But use tripod.

Um, can you tell I want you to use that tripod?

It needs either a larger aperture or a higher ISO, or a combination of the two.  Tripods work, but upping the ISO is also a solution if he doesn't have a tripod.  It could also be that he has a junky camera with low resolution and bad CCD, in that case he should get a better camera

[rowdy]

You can probably find some of my shots around, taken with a 12MP P&S.

Good lighting, as everyone else says, is the biggest help.

I use a small tripod for photographing mostly keycaps, usually on macro setting.  Set the timer for 2s, focus and stand back and wait.

Take a few shots of the same thing, perhaps with the camera a cm or two (inch or so if you prefer) closer and further away.  Sometimes the second shot turns out better.

[PointyFox]

Actually, can you post some of your pictures here?  We will probably be able to tell you how to improve them if we know what's wrong with them.

[pasph]

Buy a tripod and be creative, it's all about light

Or go outdoor (with your tripod) in a cloudy day and enjoy the biggest softbox you can dream of

[Dianoda]

Try making a DIY softbox for softer light (could be as simple as a white bed sheet and desk lamp), use a tripod and a self timer to avoid camera shake, set the camera to the lowest ISO setting (ISO 80 or ISO 100 on most compacts), and if the camera has it, use the manual mode or aperture priority mode and set the exposure/aperture on your own.

Here's the setup I normally use:



for results like this:



Camera settings -
Shutter speed: 1 sec
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 100
Focal length (35mm equivalent): 24mm
Drive mode: 2 sec Self-timer

[rowdy]

Oh, and give the keyboard or whatever a quick wipe over first.

Nothing worse than taking the perfect shot, then afterwards finding a hair sticking out from the keycaps.

[Goodfella]

Oh, and give the keyboard or whatever a quick wipe over first.

Nothing worse than taking the perfect shot, then afterwards finding a hair sticking out from the keycaps.

New keyboard so I am in good shape, got my techkeys brush too 

I took a couple quick shots outside when I got home the lighting really does make a huge difference. Shooting out by my pool though was not ideal, need to setup a table in the backyard, and a flat spot for the tripod.

Lots of really good tips in here. Can't wait to take some better shots!

[ApocalypseMaow]

Thanks for this guys. My pictures look like crap, but now I'ma get my model shoot on!

[okooko]

Try making a DIY softbox for softer light (could be as simple as a white bed sheet and desk lamp), use a tripod and a self timer to avoid camera shake, set the camera to the lowest ISO setting (ISO 80 or ISO 100 on most compacts), and if the camera has it, use the manual mode or aperture priority mode and set the exposure/aperture on your own.

Here's the setup I normally use:

Show Image

for results like this:

Show Image

Camera settings -
Shutter speed: 1 sec
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 100
Focal length (35mm equivalent): 24mm
Drive mode: 2 sec Self-timer

nice ikea lamp, i got one too

[tauburn]

One thing that i like to do for ebay and etc is to use a white background. For keycaps, a sheet of printer paper is perfect. Lighting is important too. The more you have the better the picture will most likely be. Unless you're like on the sun, but yknow.

[Goodfella]

Really wanted to get outside this morning and take a couple shots, unfortunately ran out of time before work. I'd love to get some tips from you guys after I get some pictures taken this weekend, I will post them up in this thread.

[jdcarpe]

Really wanted to get outside this morning and take a couple shots, unfortunately ran out of time before work. I'd love to get some tips from you guys after I get some pictures taken this weekend, I will post them up in this thread.

Will do. So to summarize:

• Go outside. Shoot in the shade, not direct sunlight. Cloud cover is the best lighting.
• Use a tripod. Set the self-timer for a couple seconds so you pressing the shutter release won't induce any camera shake.
• Use a low ISO. 50 or 80 or 100. Something like that.
• Try to use aperture priority. A setting of around f/5.6-f/8 would probably give a nice depth of field. You want the background to be somewhat out of focus, but you don't want your depth of field to be so narrow that only part of your subject is in focus.
• Use the "rule of thirds" for composing your shots.

[ComradeSniper]

For indoor shots, don't use the built in flash. You'll get much better results from bouncing the flash if you're able to, or if not use desk lamps to get the lighting angle you want.

[Findecanor]

Take them outside when it's sunny

I think that it is better to take pictures of items outside when it is bright and cloudy. If the sunshine is too bright and directional then you will get sharp shadows.

Nothing worse than taking the perfect shot, then afterwards finding a hair sticking out from the keycaps.

That's what Photoshop is for ... 

[Goodfella]

OK, it is too damn hot outside in Florida to setup my keyboards and do all of this outside, not happening.

I am going to build a lightbox!

Stopping at Michaels on my way home today, going to get some basic supplies and see what I an create tonight.

Will post back with my results...

[SpAmRaY]

Thanks for asking this I've gotten some good ideas out of this thread so far.

My 'pro' *cough* tip is to stop and think about what your taking a picture of for just a moment first, I tend to get in a big hurry and just snap something off and then later realize it looks awful.

[jalaj]

For lighting, get neutral white bulbs around the 3500k to 4000k color temperature range. Common bulbs are like 2700k to 3300k, which are considered warm colors with a yellowish white. Whereas bulbs starting in the 5000k+ range is blueish white.
Heres some more detail: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_temperature

[demik]

step 1) take good pictures
step 2) dont take bad pictures

[Michael]

step 1) take good pictures
step 2) dont take bad pictures

step 3) don't use potatoes to take pictures

[tjcaustin]

step 1) take good pictures
step 2) dont take bad pictures

step 3) don't use potatoes to take pictures

* tjcaustin stares at the_beast

[The_Beast]

step 1) take good pictures
step 2) dont take bad pictures

step 3) don't use potatoes to take pictures

step 4) Take potato pictures and don't give a ****

[Halverson]

step 1) take good pictures
step 2) dont take bad pictures

step 3) don't use potatoes to take pictures

step 4) Take potato pictures and don't give a ****

Step 5) Never trust beast

[The_Beast]

step 1) take good pictures
step 2) dont take bad pictures

step 3) don't use potatoes to take pictures

step 4) Take potato pictures and don't give a ****

Step 5) Never trust beast

Step 6) Never wait for Halverson toast

[TheProfosist]

Light helps 100% my pics noticed a huge bump in quality when I got my ottelite on my soldering area. After that I also switched to manual mode and a cheapy tripod. Though this last winter I did upgrade to a DSLR during a great direct from cannon refurb deal.

Another thing thats good it use your camera on burst and take a few pics 2-4 one will always be nicer than the others.


And yes you can use a potato if you have a Nokia PureView Camera on your phone

[SpAmRaY]

step 1) take good pictures
step 2) dont take bad pictures

step 3) don't use potatoes to take pictures

step 4) Take potato pictures and don't give a ****

I'm very experienced in this method 

[le_doosh]

Light helps 100% my pics noticed a huge bump in quality when I got my ottelite on my soldering area. After that I also switched to manual mode and a cheapy tripod. Though this last winter I did upgrade to a DSLR during a great direct from cannon refurb deal.

Another thing thats good it use your camera on burst and take a few pics 2-4 one will always be nicer than the others.


And yes you can use a potato if you have a Nokia PureView Camera on your phone

Without light, photography doesn't really exist. It's essentially the backbone of photography. Some of the best lighting you can use is natural light. Find a nice window that doesn't have the sun beating directly it so the light is soft and diffused. You would be amazed by the quality of your images whenever you can properly light it.

[Goodfella]

And it is time, commence building my first light box!

Bought everything I needed to build this over at Walmart, each item was pretty cheap, lamps were even $5.

Here goes, commence lightbox build in t-minus me walking back over into my kitchen....



Last potato pic I promise! Was so bright in there, shocked this turned out so poorly with my phone.. I have two skylights that sit over the kitchen table, guess I still have some learning to do..

[pasph]

Just light reflected directly toward your phone

[Goodfella]

Finished this up earlier, but my camera was dead 

So, hopefully this is the final potato pic

[Goodfella]

Well, after brief little session, I think this was the best result. Not amazing, but I am improving at least.

Camera settings for this shot: f/3.2 (of which I don't know how to change this setting) Iso 200, exposure 1/56 sec, max aperture 3.07 (no clue how to change that either), and forced flash. It's a point and shoot Fujifilm FinePix J38.

[Dianoda]

Overall, looking good, but dat spacebar...

A few technical comments: White balance between shots looks inconsistent - so maybe try setting it manually next time. Also, I found a pdf copy of the manual to your camera:

http://www.fujifilmusa.com/support/ServiceSupportProductContent.do?dbid=879997&prodcat=878916&sscucatid=664271

Consider using the manual shooting mode next time around - doing so will let you adjust aperture and shutter speed (manual mode is briefly referenced in the middle of manual - page 28, maybe? with further discussion of advanced shooting controls around page 60ish) - anywho, a narrower aperture (try for a stop or two lower than the max aperture of the focal length you are using - ie, if the max aperture is f/3.2, try using f/5.6) should clear up most of the vignetting (shading) in the corners, but will require a longer shutter speed for the correct exposure.  Also, setting the ISO to 100 should provide more detailed/less grainy images, but between the lower ISO setting and narrower aperture, you'll probably need a tripod (plus self-timer shutter release) to stabilize the camera as shutter speed will likely be in the range of 1/10 to 1/5 of a second.

[Goodfella]

Overall, looking good, but dat spacebar...

A few technical comments: White balance between shots looks inconsistent - so maybe try setting it manually next time. Also, I found a pdf copy of the manual to your camera:

http://www.fujifilmusa.com/support/ServiceSupportProductContent.do?dbid=879997&prodcat=878916&sscucatid=664271

Consider using the manual shooting mode next time around - doing so will let you adjust aperture and shutter speed (manual mode is briefly referenced in the middle of manual - page 28, maybe? with further discussion of advanced shooting controls around page 60ish) - anywho, a narrower aperture (try for a stop or two lower than the max aperture of the focal length you are using - ie, if the max aperture is f/3.2, try using f/5.6) should clear up most of the vignetting (shading) in the corners, but will require a longer shutter speed for the correct exposure.  Also, setting the ISO to 100 should provide more detailed/less grainy images, but between the lower ISO setting and narrower aperture, you'll probably need a tripod (plus self-timer shutter release) to stabilize the camera as shutter speed will likely be in the range of 1/10 to 1/5 of a second.

Wow, thank you!

I am going to try some shots today with these settings, I had a tripod setup last night, the difference between the first and the second two shots is I got a little creative and added 4 strips of leds to the top of the box (had them laying around from ikea).

Turned out pretty cool, just need to see if these new settings sharpen up the pictures at all or if it is time for a new camera 

[Goodfella]

Well I needed a break from the keyboard shots and I wanted to try a couple different settings and just using led's for lights with no regular bulbs, and this was the result.



No editing other than centering and cropping that photo, which was achieved with this setup. (crappy pic)



Overall pretty happy with how this turned out, what do you think?

[Sai]

thats a great photo for me although i have little knowledge on photography.

i am gonna build one DIY lightbox for myself in the next week after seeing your project. 

[SmallFry]

Well I needed a break from the keyboard shots and I wanted to try a couple different settings and just using led's for lights with no regular bulbs, and this was the result.

(Attachment Link)

No editing other than centering and cropping that photo, which was achieved with this setup. (crappy pic)

(Attachment Link)

Overall pretty happy with how this turned out, what do you think?

Something needs to be changed slightly. You usually don't want a shadow in a softbox, right? Looks very good for the money you spent on it so far however.

[Goodfella]

Well I needed a break from the keyboard shots and I wanted to try a couple different settings and just using led's for lights with no regular bulbs, and this was the result.

(Attachment Link)

No editing other than centering and cropping that photo, which was achieved with this setup. (crappy pic)

(Attachment Link)

Overall pretty happy with how this turned out, what do you think?

Something needs to be changed slightly. You usually don't want a shadow in a softbox, right? Looks very good for the money you spent on it so far however.

That is correct, I wanted the shadow in that particular shot only because I thought it looked cool. Otherwise, the lamps on the sides, which were off for that shot, eliminate the shadow.