AboutJoe Appel Expertise I can answer questions related to many areas of photography, but most specifically relating to photojournalism. I can also offer advice on using digital and 35mm cameras, Adobe Photoshop, and digital photography in general. Once upon a time I was pretty good in a darkroom too.
Experience I have been a staff photographer for a major metropolitan newspaper group (over 100,000 circulation) for 12 years. Concurrently, I have maintained a freelance photography business.
Organizations belong to National Press Photographers Association
Publications Rolling Stone, USA Today, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Palm Beach Post, New York Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Super Street Bike, Motorcyclist, Sport Rider, Cycle World, Roadracing World, T.W.O. (Two Wheels Only), the ABA Journal.
Expert: Joe Appel Date: 1/20/2005 Subject: Warm and arty pictures
Question Dear Mr. Appel,
I am a metal sculptor with a very basic knowledge of photography. I am creating my own website and need to take my own pictures because I cannot afford a professional photographer. I have a digital camera Sony cyber-shot DSC-V1 5.0 MP ($500.00) I need some help on how to prepare a good setting with stuff that I can find at home or for little money, to take good quality pictures of my pieces. For example light and background. I want to be able to present my pictures showing the piece in a very warm and arty way. would photoshop help? How?
Thank you so much
Alfredo Alamo
Answer Alfredo,
Starting from the end - Photoshop is a great program but one of the things it can't do is make an ordinary photograph extraordinary. You can fix mistakes, i.e. removing a piece of paper mistakenly left in the background, but it is a tool to enhance photos not to create them.
I don't know how big your stuff is, but you may want to invest in a seamless background to photograph your work against. If you have a plain wall or other large flat surface you could also use that.
My advice would be to photograph your work outside when there is some nice light, either in the morning or evening. That's generally what I do for items I'm selling on eBay and it works quite well.
Sometimes I set up my lights, but you can do quite a bit with natural light.
