It's that time again! Time for our super fun Baker's Dozen Studio Challenge! This is our monthly opportunity for the Taylored Expressions Design Team to share what makes our stamping studios run... Each month we have a crafty question so we can share our favorite tips and tricks with you! I LOVE this every month. I really look forward to getting the challenge from Taylor and then seeing what my amazing DT friends come up with on their blogs. Are you loving it too? I sure hope so!
Our question for March is: "You ought to be in pictures!" We all love to share our completed projects with others on our blogs, and in various online galleries. So, when the stamping ends, the photography begins. This is a fun step for some, and a frustrating one for others. How do you take your blog photos?
Boy, where do I start with this topic!? LOL. I have been a photographer since I was 14 years old and I still keep in touch with my high school photography teacher! So, photography is actually my first creative love. That being said, taking photos of card projects is a whole different ball game. It took me a long time to figure out a system that works for me. I tried a light box for a while (CLICK HERE) and that worked really well. The down side was storing it and getting it out every time I wanted to take a photo. What I have finally landed on (for now) is just taking the photos on my work desk! Here is my SUPER fancy set up!
You can see in the above photo that I have an Ott lite there for some extra pop. On the left is a stack of papers I keep handy for backgrounds for my photos. The photo below is what the picture looks like straight from the camera with no cropping. I like to shoot back a ways and then I can crop later however I like.
And here is the cropped version of the photo above:
I use a Canon G11 Camera for all my photos. It's small so it fits in my purse or backpack and I always have it with me. It can be automatic or fully manual which I like a lot too. This has been my favorite camera I've ever had (and this girl has owned a lot of cameras!) I am currently in the (OCD) process of trying to choose a new camera because I've worn this poor one out!
I like to take a couple of extra photos to show the side view and/or the layers in my card. Sometimes I know I want to see how a person made something, and I think this helps. It also helps me remember later!
Here are some card photo tricks and tips for you: 1. For 'funky' indoor lighting: Most cameras nowadays will allow you to adjust the "white balance" on your photos. Read your manual about this! Light is measured in temperatures...from cool to warm...and that is why our photos can have a "cast" on them and look yellow inside. 2. Try using your flash. Sometimes this is better, sometimes not, but it's worth trying. 3. Try taking your photos from farther away and then cropping them later. This will give you some latitude with the end product. 4. Have fun and keep trying!!
I edit my photos with Photoshop Elements 7, which came with my laptop many years ago. The software takes getting used to (at least it did for me). I add my watermark in Elements and also adjust the color to get my photo to match the 'real life' colors as much as possible. Many of the tips and tricks I learned about Elements came from watching Youtube videos!
SUPPLIES: Moka Wanda Stamp Set, Labels Stacklets 3 Dies, Doodlebug Take Note Collection Papers and brads, Memento Inks and Copic Markers.
NOTE: All the papers and supplies I used today are from Doodlebug's Take Note Collection! Squeeee! We are doing a product partnership this month with our friends at Doodlebug and so you'll be seeing lots of this awesome, colorful paper on my blog in the next couple of weeks. I love it!
Here's your most awesome linky list for CHALLENGE DAY!
Love to see your set up and read your tips! I'm thinking I need to invest in an Ott light!
Posted by: Audrey Pettit | 03/22/2013 at 04:35 PM
LOVE your adorable card (the glasses are so cute!), Wanda! I've always wanted to know how you photographed your cards. Ott lights always left shadows for me, but I never thought to use the glass underneath...duh! I might need to check out your G11, I was a Canon girl but switched to Nikon about 10 years ago. Have a squigimous day! :D
Posted by: Shelly | 03/21/2013 at 07:39 AM
by the way.......can I ask what you have your card sitting on? I love how it reflects the card.
Thanks again!
Huggies ~
Sharron♥
Posted by: Sharron / SharraHUG | 03/20/2013 at 07:44 PM
Thanks a bunch for sharing how you take your pics, Wanda. They always look so clean & crisp & bright. Love your cute card!
Huggies ~
Sharron♥
Posted by: Sharron / SharraHUG | 03/20/2013 at 07:20 PM
What a cute card! And thank you for the proto tips. Good ideas!!
Posted by: Fonda Jo | 03/20/2013 at 03:07 PM
WOW so super to know now how you always make these stunning photo's of your work!!
Such a cute card too!
Posted by: Holly Saveur | 03/20/2013 at 11:29 AM
CUTE! I spy some Doodlebug! ;)
Posted by: Kathy Martin | 03/20/2013 at 05:59 AM
I just love your card!It is too cute! Thank you so much for the tips on photographing our projects.
Posted by: Sabrina Radican | 03/20/2013 at 02:50 AM
Fabulous Card Wanda!! And I LOVE your Awesome pics too! They Always look Amazing Girly!! 8-) So Cool you take them right on your desk, Wish I could do that, I am getting tired dragging my lights out every time, & the dinning room chair too, lol ;-)
Hugs
Shannon
Posted by: Shannon White | 03/19/2013 at 04:35 PM
Such a cute card, and your photos look so crisp! I love your set up!
Posted by: Kerri M. | 03/19/2013 at 03:44 PM
cute card. I like that frame.
Posted by: Marian | 03/19/2013 at 02:09 PM
Thanks for the tips, Wanda! Your photos are always so well done so I appreciate what you've shared. Sweet card, too!! Love that paper and your coloring is gorgeous as always!
Posted by: Natalie H | 03/19/2013 at 01:49 PM
I appreciate how you always show the side view (layers) of your cards. I have used PhotoShop Elements for many years and love it. Easy to use.
Are the chevrons on your card (Doodlebug) patterned paper?
Finally, I have to say that the most impressive part of today's post is how tidy your work area is! When I've made a card it looks like a tornado passed through.
Posted by: julie | 03/19/2013 at 01:31 PM
Darling card, Wanda! Loved reading about your process and how you take your photos right at your work space - I hear you about how using a light box is a pain to store and haul out each time - been there, done that!
Posted by: Stephanie Kraft | 03/19/2013 at 10:17 AM
Gorgeous card! Thanks for the tips. I always try to get as close to the card as possible so I will definitely be trying adding some distance to see if my photos come out better.
Posted by: Cindi Flass | 03/19/2013 at 09:59 AM
ADORABLE card, Wanda! And I love your no fuss process! Your photos turn out beautifully!
Posted by: Charmaine Ikach | 03/19/2013 at 08:30 AM