Photography question

I took some shots of beadwork on a white background, in full sun. The colours in the jewelry are ok but the background comes out pale blue. Is there anyway to correct this in the photographing process or is this best done post production?

Try a UV Haze filter on your camera.

Marisa,

What type of camera are you using? Once I know that information I can probably help.

Starlia

Depends on the camera you're using. My digital Olympus has settings for sun, cloudy, fluorescent and incandescent lighting and adjusts accordingly. I can also change the 'film speed' and plus/minus the shutter speed. Check your operating manual - you might have something similar.

Mj

Tanya

accordingly.

Possibly, Tanya, I'll check.

Thank you all for your suggestions, there are lots of things for me to try out.

Marisa, First let me say that I love the cool treatment you did to that donut!

Does your camera have a macro? If it does, you should use it. If it doesn't just try to get a little closer to the beadwork.

Also, when you edit your images, crop out any extra background that isn't needed for the presentation. This helps with two issues...the extra time to load the picture for wasted space, and it helps to keep the eye where you want it, which is on your pretty beadwork. =o)

Also, you can get rid of some of the dullness by using a color and brightness feature on your image editing program, and then use the sharpen feature. Don't do them the other way around or it won't work out well.

I took the earring image off your page and cropped off the extra background and then brightened it a bit. I can't sharpen this image because it appears to have already been reduced in pixel size to make the loading faster and the sharpen feature just makes nasty swirling pixels around the edge of the beads. But, you can still see a bit of a difference in the "lacklustre" your sis might have seen.

I know, isn't it amazing how one little step can make such a difference.

And you are welcome, it twas no trouble at all. =o)

Beki

Beki, that is SO sweet of you to go to that trouble for me! I opened my page in another window so I could compare the my photo, to yours. The brightening makes a big difference. I've done a little of this sort of thing. I'll have a crack at it with my next lot of photos. I'm re-vamping my website and will launch new pics shortly. Thank you so much for the work you did.

Yes, my camera has a macro and I used it the yesterday. That's when I encountered the white balance problems. I couldn't take any shots today because it was just too overcast, very very grey and dark. I'll see what the weather's like tomorrow. I need lights. A lot of my work is dimensional and from what I've been reading a little side lighting might help.

I'll remember to sharpen up the photos before re-sizing. Thankyou again for all your help.

Don't use the full sun - take pictures in the shade, and turn the flash off.

Thanks Soozle, it's one of my favourite necklaces. The bead is by Lori Greenberg and I just love it.

I zoomed rather than used the macro, I think that's part of the problem. Also I may have to get a lighting set up rather than rely on daylight. I may need to try some side lighting.

OK, I had another look at the manuel and found the white balance setting and also the reduced flash which adds a little filler light. Haven't tried them out yet because it was just too dark today. I'll see how the light is tomorrow.

I have the same camera (a step down in model number), Marissa. Here's how I do pics outside:

In the shade, with a white background. Set the camera to manual, turn the macro on, turn the flash off. Set the EV to 0 or +0.3, depending on how dark it is. 0 for lighter days. Set the white balance (WB) to clouds or 1. Aim the camera right down onto the subject, and make sure you're not casting your shadow on the subject. I also will stand with the sun behind/to the left of me, hold the item in my right hand and snap the pic. Here are some examples:

Here's a link to a Wet Canvas! thread about a cheap and easy set up for lighting:

Mj

No problem! Once you get the camera set to what you like, and get a routine going, it's pretty easy. The only troubles I have are purples (best outside in the shade) and reds (best indoors in a light box). But that's for lampwork. It should be easier for jewelry. And make sure you're about 6-10 inches away from the jewelry - too close and it's blurry. Too far away and you don't have enough detail. Once you get to the point where you know your camera, it's smooth sailing from there. Have fun!