Sunday, December 11, 2011

Photographing Still Life Subjects

I'm getting ready to start a new series of work, so I've been thinking about subject matter, color palette and composition.  For me, the photo's the thing - if I have a few great reference photos, I'm set!  I work from my own photos, so I'm learning about how to shoot great pictures.  My latest project was to make my own soft light box so I could shoot beautiful still life subjects.  My new favorite photo blog is Strobist.  There are tons of great tutorials on photography, written in an easy, funny style.  I made my light box from an old cardboard box, inexpensive muslin fabric and white poster board.  Here's how to make it:


It works great!  I have a Nikon point and shoot camera, not fancy at all.  I use either one or two desk lamps on either side of the box (you can adjust light for "tungsten"in your camera menu).  I'm practicing all sorts of cool shots - hopefully I'll take one that will be my next painting.

16 comments:

  1. Shooting pictures for Etsy and blogs is always a challenge. Thank goodness for Photoshop! I just learned that my Nikon has a food setting -- that has been a godsend for my blog!

    Lynette
    Blogging Buddies Team

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  2. that's totally cool! I'm experimenting w/the macro setting today.

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  3. Thanks for this Susie! I am hoping to make a lightbox for myself sometime soon (and getting a new camera would help too!)

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  4. You're welcome, Jessica, thanks for stopping by!

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  5. I do wish you luck with the photobox. I came across that same video when I created my own box and while my photos aren't the greatest, they have shown significant improvement with the photobox

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  6. I might have to make one for my stuff! Thanks!

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  7. I just bought a book at Amazon on photographing still life & lighting techniques - I'll let you know how that goes.

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  8. Going to give this a whirl. Wonder if parchment paper would work as well as the cloth?

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  9. Or tracing paper? Something to diffuse the light

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  10. ohhh cool! i should try this. i normally use natural lighting and a blank sheet of white paper when i'm taking photos. but sometimes the lighting isn't the way i want it.

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  11. Thank you for the great photography ideas.

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  12. Love this do it yourself light box. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. I love the embedded Youtube video. How did you do that?

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  14. Mt. Baldy Glassworks, it's easy to embed a video. Above the box where you write your post there are several icons. Click on the one that looks like a movie director's board. You'll put the url link to your video using that. Make sure your cursor is placed where you want the video to go in the body of your post. Good luck!

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  15. you have a fantastic blog. i loved this tip... i'm a beginner photographer, so this helps. your blog is delightful. i enjoyed browsing... and through the blog-hop from blog love therapy, i got to discover your blog. you have a new follower from new england, and hoping to stay in touch. cheers!
    xoxo
    jasmine
    http://adamalexmommy.com

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