About Sara Bella Expertise I can answer questions about many things photographic. From film to darkroom to digital photography, from lighting to Photoshop techniques to digital work flow. I also know a great deal about the history and theory of photography. I am most familiar with Mac computers and the Adobe programs (Photoshop) but I can try to help troubleshoot any software and machine as long as I have the right information.
Experience I have been shooting photographs since I was 12 years old. I have a BFA in photography and and I am a current MFA matriculate. I teach photography at a university.
Education/Credentials BFA in Photography/Visual Articulation. In residency to receive MFA in photography in 2008.
Question Hello!
My wife is a mosaic artist. Here is one of her recent pictures.
<a href="http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/kuramagirl_6/?action=view¤t=1-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/kuramagirl_6/1-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
She took this in our hallway with a few track lights and a Sony 4.1MP Cyber-shot...
I know its not the best camera, but i know that there are tricks to getting the shot you want. My question is, how would you take this picture if it were for a catalog, or website reproduction? I am stuck with my camera for now, but i can play with lights, filters, backgrounds, and photoshop easily. I am just looking for some specific direction regarding the qualities of this type of artwork.
She uses stained glass, iridescent glass, and colored mirror. In person, these are very shiny and sparkly with a lot of depth that is hard to capture with the camera. Many of the pieces are sculptures. Is there a good way to take a picture of a mirror? what do you put in the background?
Here are some other pictures for example:
<a href="http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/kuramagirl_6/?action=view¤t=Tree1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/kuramagirl_6/Tree1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/kuramagirl_6/?action=view¤t=L1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/kuramagirl_6/L1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/kuramagirl_6/?action=view¤t=1-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/kuramagirl_6/1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
I appreciate your time!
Thanks!
Nate
Answer The first thing you need to do is set your white balance. Refer to your users manual for how to do this. If you are unable to set your white balance, you will have to make sure the light you are using is not a Tungsten light. Get a white light. Secondly, you will want to use bounced lighting. I use cheap matte board that can be purchased at most any craft or framing store. Use it to bounce the light around in the environment. You will want to avoid reflections and this is the best way to do it. You may want to even build a box of sorts...which will give you great control over the lighting.
If your camera is capable of shooting raw images...I suggest you use that option. The Photoshop camera raw dialog gives you many options that will allow you to easily edit the images without having to use adjustment layers in PS.
Try these things and let me know if you have any further questions. Good luck.
