Expert: Elia - 5/7/2008

Question
QUESTION: hi there

Thanks so much in advance.

Im trying to be slack, and get professional looking photos, without doing a 3 year degree! (or get better pics beyond the usual)

im a working artist and wanting photos to use alongside the paintings.

The easiest way to achieve this would be how?

Camera- film camera with amazing lens off ebay , something simple like a koni omega rapid. (states its a rangefinder, does this mean id not be able to focus accurately through view finder?)

Or a consumer level DSLR

Lighting- I saw some amazing lighting (Tv photo comp competiter) , that just involved a constant light, with "barn door" flaps. The colours seemed so rich.

Her website portfolio is; http://www.lucindachua.co.uk/

HOW WOULD SUCH RICH LIGHTING BE PRODUCED?...(special bulb or lens filter?...or special kit?)

Many Thanks

David

ANSWER: Hi David

I would suggest to go with  DSLR. The main reason is convenience. No films, no post production. Odds are most of the pics you take will end up in computer/screen environment anyway. Digital cameras get it right there.

Consumer SLR are more then enough for almost anything. Unless you plan to have them used for cover of fashion magazines you don't need high end pro stuff.

Lighting of http://www.lucindachua.co.uk/ - it does look like Photoshop post production. At least photoshop is the easiest way to archive this.

Elia

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi there

thanks so much, i agree with dslr

the lighting from the website....in the programme it was a single constant light source....

it right there are three types?..

fluourescent, halogen and tungsten?...which of these give the warmth rich colours?

David

Answer
Hi David

Photoshop is a very powerful app. Examples you sent present is not just lighting filter (you can add unlimited number of light sources) but combination of few filters.

If you ask me about particular example I can tell you how you can achieve the same result.

E