Question: I AM A BEGINER IN TABLE TOP PHOTOGRAPHY. I AM FACING SOME PROBLEM IN SHOOTING CHROME,NICKEL PRODUCTS LIKE BATH FITTINGS.. I AM NOT ABLE TO GET THE ORIGNAL COLOUR. I AM USING A LIGHT TENT WITH THREE LIGHTS WITH SOFT BOX. I HAVE A FUJI S 2 PRO CAMERA. PLS HELP ME AT WHAT EXPOUSRE SHOULD I USE.SHUTTER SPEED, APERTURE.
Answer: Since you have light tent and soft box, the lighting should be OK.
For chrome nickel or metallic objects, the problem is reflection and exposure only.
With light tent, there should not be any chance of reflection that would change the color of the object. The only factor is exposure.
(With flash) Normally with multi-flash, you need a flash meter to measure. If not, you can try several exposure setting. The shutter speed must be not faster than the flash synchronization of the camera (check the manual). The aperture can begin with f/4, f/5.6, f/8 etc. and check which one gives the better result. Then move to 1/2 or 1/3 stops up or down until you find the best.
(With tungsten) It is easy because there are color temperature setting in the camera. Choose any shutter speed, if you have tripod, then you can try 1/15 first. Set the mode to Tv (Shutter priority). If the result is not satisfactory, then use exposure compensation until you have the best shot.
The last thing is the color of the chrome nickel. Since we do not have the same camera and object, we cannot confirm if the camera would fail to give this color. If you have try according to above mentioned way and still fail to get satisfactory result, try to use another digital camera (other brand) to test.
(Updated) Also you need to check the WHITE BALANCE setting. It is better to choose CUSTOM WHITE BALANCE unless the light source is standard and the White Balance setting is correct.
Question: How the resolution needs to be of my digital camera in order to present them well on a flat screen tv. It occurs to me that all the photos I take look good on my computer screen so will this also be the case on the tv?
Answer: It seems that the problem has been pinpointed at the resolution. Let's assume that the image would have a full screen display. You need to know what is the resolution of the flat screen tv. Just to choose a higher resolution in the camera to take the photos. I believe that most digital camera, even non-SLR, should have a much higher resolution than any display.
Another thing is about the software for presentation. Your image might have been resized automatically. If this is the case, then you have to change the resolution of your monitor and work again.
The problem may also be the difference between your monitor and the flat screen tv in brightness or one has been set to sRGB and other has not.
To prepare presentation, it is always a need to check with the actual display device and environment. Otherwise, you will not know how to adjust the images.
Question: I bought a mini digital camera (chinese made) but i can't find the CD with it , the camera type is :compact mini camera "travel easy" , so can you tell me how can i download the pictures with no CD installation , or how can i get the software CD of this type of camera , or is there any free web site to download this software for this camera.
Answer: Since there is no reference for such case, you have to check if the image is stored on a CF (compact flash) card. If there is a card, just find a card reader that match and link to the USB port of your computer. Unless the card is not a standard one, you can open it as a drive and copy the image files to any directory.
Without a brand or the name of manufacturer, it is not possible to find the software. The best is to go back to the supplier and ask for it.
Question: I got information that Kodak has transferred the film distribution to an agent in China and HK, isn't this true? Does it mean that film will be over soon?
Answer: Yes, we also learnt that Kodak has closed the related department in China and Hong Kong. We suppose that this change might be the same for other regions.
The sale of film has been dropped tremendously for the past two to three years. It is quite normal that they would expect that the sale volume might drop even further this year. Although Kodak had made a serious mistake in forecasting the development of digital imaging in the 80's, yet we trust that they would not make mistake again this time. The major market for film is the consumer. This group has turned to digital camera in great scale since 2002.
However, we may still have films for a few years. The problem is that with such kind of situation, the supplies would hardly be handled smoothly as before. The last day of film may be within three years.
Question: I am sending you some photo from other photographers that I like but I don't know how to make photos like that. These photos look unrealistic, but they are fantastic. I think that a photographer uses some program to create those photos but I don't know what program. Do you know which program I should buy to make photos that are the same quality?
Answer: Interior photo with existing light requires advance technique and high quality equipment. I usually suggest not considering to buy new camera or lenses first, if one have a camera and lens that can meet the requirement for practice.
Now, let's talk about the photo. The lighting is so even that the whole area from one room to another one gives an affectionate effect. Of course, the hot spots of the sofa etc. are not so nice. The brightest spots on the ceiling were so unreal that they might be created with software instead of true light sources. As there is certain doubt about the photographic appearance, I prefer to suggest how to take interior photo instead of investigating on it.
For manipulating images, you can choose among various software packages, while Photoshop remains the best one to use. However, most final works require multiple procedures and skill.
Taking interior photo, the lighting of the whole area is the first thing to check. Sometimes, we have to change the lamps to make the illumination right.
For a warmer touch, that is, a kind of yellowish color, we need the bulb lamps to be the light source that in photographic term, lower color temperature. With digital camera, the WHITE BALANCE should be set for sunlight (or default usually). We can use software to strengthen the yellow on certain part of the image.
A wide angle is normally required and the focal length depends on the location. A tripod must be used because we need a longer depth of field and therefore the exposure time would be longer. Higher ISO is not recommended because when we use ISO400 or above, the image would not be fine.
For digital compact camera with smallest aperture of f/8, the depth of field effect is different. That means we can have the same depth of field from largest to smallest aperture. Therefore, it would be better to use digital SLR with wide angle lens if we want the best image quality.
To have a pronouncing composition, we must know how to control perspective. Perhaps part of the reason that the sample be so attractive to you is that the level of the camera had been positioned at the best angle so that all objects appeared well without distortion. Distortion is a normal part of our perspective. In a photo like that, we have to make it abnormal for best impression.
Finally, the best way is to taking some shots and learning from experience. Do not expect to solve everything in one or two trial. Mark down all particulars and check the result carefully. You must know that good photo requires good technique and good technique can not be mastered in a short time.
Question from reader: what is your definition of beginner?
For me, there are three stages, beginner, practitioner and master. When we do not know all the vital elements of a craft, say, photography, we are still beginners. That means we still have to learn. Of course, we may know part of the elements and perhaps enough for us to carry on practice. For quite a lot of photographers (amateur or even professional), they may be count as beginners when they deal with those parts that have not learned before. As photography has a tremendous coverage, we are talking about general photography especially those taken with general equipment.
When we start to practice alone or with guidance and we can handle all type of operation, we are practitioners. Practitioner should know how to handle photographic equipment, high percentage of correct exposure and almost with no technical errors. The only thing to work for is to get the outstanding shots of that type of photography. In this stage, we may still need to learn from someone. But, it would not be basic techniques anymore. Instead, it should be the approach or tactic to bring out our creative idea and to express the subject perfectly.
Only when we can create unique masterpiece without guidance, then we may be called masters. A definition is still missing. In reality, no one can be master for various types of photography. One may be able to have a few. We can compare with academic. When one got a doctorate, it was based on the research of a single topic. That might not mean that he/she would know nothing else because the qualification requirement already set a certain standard. In photography, it is hard to define. A lot of great masters had no academic studies.
Back to our question, we always move between these stages. For a certain part, we may be practitioners and for another part we may be beginners. For example, about ten years ago, I have been a master of traditional photography, but with digital imaging, I was just a beginner. Though I have spent at least ten years with digital imaging, yet I do not consider being a master. The hurdle is the uniqueness. Do not confuse with applying special effects, which is not photographic uniqueness that we are talking about.
Question from reader: is higher resolution a priority for digital camera?
The advancement of technology and the competition among manufacturers, resolution of digital camera will always be pushed higher and higher.
For users, the most important thing is to know one's own need. Otherwise, we are paying more for nothing and worst of all, we may take extra effort to downsize the image.
If one intends to take photography seriously and look for becoming a master in the future, it is certain that one need to get the best camera possible.
If one just wants to enjoy photography only, then one must know what kind of display will be chosen for a good photo taken. The optimum resolution so required is a guide. The highest resolution for the camera will be about twice the resolution that is needed. For example, if the display will be best with 1000x2000, then 2000x4000 will be the best choice. That is because we may need cropping etc. to have the final image.
Of course, there are criteria other than images. There are people who like to enjoy processing best equipment or among the first group of users. It is about confidence for those who need that.
Question from reader: how can I buy these test chart?
This test chart has been used for our exposure test
This is called Kodak Color Chart, Q-13 (8 inches) and Q-14 (14 inches). The sole agent is Tiffen. Check the USA dealers of Tiffin by visiting www.tiffen.com/html/Dealers.htm
Question from reader: I want to know the components of light sensitive in film, developer and formula etc. (in brief)
As we are busy with the ebook "DigiPhoto Guide for Beginners" and "MYTCARD METHOD" Public release, we can give the following information now:
Major component of emulsion (light sensitive) is Silver halide including Silver Bromide, Silver Iodide and Silver Chloride. Color emulsion also relies on Silver halide for exposure.
Major component of B/W Developer is Benzene family including Metol, Hydroquinone etc. Also Sodium Carbonate, Potassium Bromide etc. are required.
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