Taking good pictures - Orchid Board

kiki-do · #1 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 10:46 PM

Hi All,
I got my Laelia for the Quickie Project today and tried several ways to take a good picture with my digital camera for posting. Everything came out poorly and you couldn't make out the actual plant. So many of you seem to be expert photographers as well as orchid growers. Please help me with some hints on how to take a decent picture of my new chid.

It may have been the weather, cloudiness, etc. but you all post some fantastic pictures and would love the helpful hints.

Thanks, kiki-do

justatypn · #2 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 11:32 PM

Can only give you my 2 cents worth, believe me I delete and delete until it finally gives me a big cheesy smile

The lighting in my area is not the best for photo's but last night I decided when I got home to take a few photo's of my Blc Chia Lin finally it came out. I had my lighting above me, ceiling fan, to my surprise it came out perfectly. Not sure why, but there are times when I work with a black background which usually gives no reflection and photo's well.

Some might say it's the quality of the camera, but being an amateur dunno.

Honestly though I still ask the question what am I doing wrong.

quiltergal · #3 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 12:01 AM

Kiki-do, most digital cameras have a macro feature (the symbol is usually a little flower). Using macro and a tripod if you have one will give really nice up close and personal pics completely in focus. Using macro can be tricky because if you move the picture is twice as blurry as usual. I use a tripod to eliminate the "shakes".

kiki-do · #4 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 07:37 AM

Hi Terri,
Thanks so much!! I found the right button and took some pics and they came out perfect.

I didn't have a tripod, but I was steady enough for a few moments. Great! Now I will try and post the pictures. Hey, it's tough being electronically challenged!

Thanks again.

kiki-do

kiki-do · #5 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 07:47 AM

Hi Cheryl, I really appreciate your efforts. I did hear one of the OB members say he used a black background but had forgotten until you mentioned it again. Our digital camera is a pretty nice one....it's the operator who is one click shy of a full deck.

You may see another thread from me about "how to" with posting the project info and pics! I'll give it a shot though, it may not be too difficult.

Some days I'm the pigeon, some days I'm the statue.

Thanks again.

kiki-do

Dorothy · #6 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 08:45 AM

We have a forum specifically for photography. There maybe some answers to your questions if you scan through the threads already there

Here is a link to it - http://www.orchidboard.com/community/photography/
I hope this may help

kiki-do · #7 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 08:50 AM

Thanks Dorothy! It's a big help!

Oscarman · #8 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 11:17 PM

Light is sooo important - the closer to natural source the better.

Bolero · #9 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 11:19 PM

Light is the most important thing. I like using a tripod as well and try to take pictures in natural light where I can, I find that gives the best results although my results aren't perfect quite yet.

The only draw back with a tripod is angles..........sometimes you really have to hand hold the camera to get the angle just right.

Ross · #10 (**permalink**) 11-03-2007, 12:26 PM

The nice thing about using a standard setup in a studio is you have several constants that make most images easy. You typically have no breezes, a known color temperature of the lights (I use CF florescent with color temp of 5200K), the ability to move lights to eliminate shadows, glare, etc. and also the ability to control backdrop. Outside is pretty much a "crap shoot" (sland US term).