Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2014 19:29:36 GMT -7
I wanted to put together a few tips about taking pictures of your completed builds. This is not to knock on anyone but with more and more contest that we keep putting together, this can make a big difference. Like they say, a picture speaks a thousand words. Now by no means am I an expert. Not even close! 
I've been getting a little better over time, though. With all the time and planning that goes into each build, it is great to be able to show off your builds in style. These are a few suggestions I have, in no specific order. Some of this stuff might seem like a foreign language but I'll try my best to break it down for you just in case.
I use a DLSR Nikon D3100 Digital Camera and my iPad or iPhone Both have their advantages. Keep in mind that just about any phone can take a focused picture. That I am pretty knowledgeable of working for a wireless company. Some phone have more megapixels than cameras now a days. The more megapixels, the clearer and more crisp your shots will be.
Taking pics with a digital camera
- Invest in a cheap tripod. Most are universal and screw into the bottom of the camera. It will help keep the camera still and will help tremendously when there is low light.
- Don't always trust the Auto settings. While this can get you a pretty good looking shot, using the setting manually can make a huge difference.
- For close-ups, always have the Macro setting on - it looks like a little tulip
- Most people don'd know this. All cameras have a minimal distance. This means that not just because you get super close, will you get a good shot.
- If you wear glasses or contacts, please make sure you are wearing them when focusing manually or else it will be a big blur to everyone else. This might be one of the only times to use auto focus, but still with the Macro setting on.
Taking pics with any Smartphone
- All Smartphones will auto focus. While pointing your phone at the subject, just tap the screen wherever you want it to focus and it will.
- You can zoom in on phones as well. Most will allow you "pinch" your fingers together on the screen together to zoom in and do the opposite action to zoom out.
- Still don't get super close with your phone or your entire build will not be focused.
General tips regardless of what you use to take pics
- FOCUS! FOCUS! FOCUS! Why would you post a pic of a blurry pic? Think of all the things for sale on Craigslist or eBay that have pictures that are out of focus. You close that ad almost immediately.
- Bring yourself close to the level of the build. Taking pics while standing up makes it seem like you're 3 stories up. If your focus is not on the roof, take a knee, bend your waist, lie on your belly. You'd be surprised the number of funny looks I get when I'm lying face down on my driveway taking pics of mine. My neighbors are used to it already. running-around-smiley-emoticon
- Take two or three pics of every angle. Think of when you used to take family pics at the portrait studio. They take more than what you are buying so you can pick the best ones. Same idea.
- If possible have a good background to take pictures. Nothing cluttered or too busy. The main attraction of your pic should always be your kit unless its a diorama you're taking a picture of. I use a couple of different things. My drive way as I said. I just have to make sure that I focus on my build and not the neighbor's house. I also have a mini photo booth with a white background. Works alright. And finally I just recently bought a large black foam board. I first used it with my 1990's Farm Truck and I like the way they came out. I've used my diorama a few times but that is a project in itself so don't use it for this purpose as much.
- Always review the pictures you have taken. Check them out on your computer before uploading to Photobucket or Fotki. If the picture sucks then delete it. Those are the ones you're not buying.
- Finally, if the pic sucks, don't post it. You can tell us it looks great and although we might believe you, we want to see what you're seeing. Isn't that the whole point of posting the picture in the first place?
You just gotta play around with different angles and pictures. You'll soon find a method that works and stick with it. I hope this helps at least a little bit. It should help out with some of the contest pics you submit.
I've been getting a little better over time, though. With all the time and planning that goes into each build, it is great to be able to show off your builds in style. These are a few suggestions I have, in no specific order. Some of this stuff might seem like a foreign language but I'll try my best to break it down for you just in case.I use a DLSR Nikon D3100 Digital Camera and my iPad or iPhone Both have their advantages. Keep in mind that just about any phone can take a focused picture. That I am pretty knowledgeable of working for a wireless company. Some phone have more megapixels than cameras now a days. The more megapixels, the clearer and more crisp your shots will be.
Taking pics with a digital camera
- Invest in a cheap tripod. Most are universal and screw into the bottom of the camera. It will help keep the camera still and will help tremendously when there is low light.
- Don't always trust the Auto settings. While this can get you a pretty good looking shot, using the setting manually can make a huge difference.
- For close-ups, always have the Macro setting on - it looks like a little tulip
- Most people don'd know this. All cameras have a minimal distance. This means that not just because you get super close, will you get a good shot.
- If you wear glasses or contacts, please make sure you are wearing them when focusing manually or else it will be a big blur to everyone else. This might be one of the only times to use auto focus, but still with the Macro setting on.
Taking pics with any Smartphone
- All Smartphones will auto focus. While pointing your phone at the subject, just tap the screen wherever you want it to focus and it will.
- You can zoom in on phones as well. Most will allow you "pinch" your fingers together on the screen together to zoom in and do the opposite action to zoom out.
- Still don't get super close with your phone or your entire build will not be focused.
General tips regardless of what you use to take pics
- FOCUS! FOCUS! FOCUS! Why would you post a pic of a blurry pic? Think of all the things for sale on Craigslist or eBay that have pictures that are out of focus. You close that ad almost immediately.
- Bring yourself close to the level of the build. Taking pics while standing up makes it seem like you're 3 stories up. If your focus is not on the roof, take a knee, bend your waist, lie on your belly. You'd be surprised the number of funny looks I get when I'm lying face down on my driveway taking pics of mine. My neighbors are used to it already. running-around-smiley-emoticon
- Take two or three pics of every angle. Think of when you used to take family pics at the portrait studio. They take more than what you are buying so you can pick the best ones. Same idea.
- If possible have a good background to take pictures. Nothing cluttered or too busy. The main attraction of your pic should always be your kit unless its a diorama you're taking a picture of. I use a couple of different things. My drive way as I said. I just have to make sure that I focus on my build and not the neighbor's house. I also have a mini photo booth with a white background. Works alright. And finally I just recently bought a large black foam board. I first used it with my 1990's Farm Truck and I like the way they came out. I've used my diorama a few times but that is a project in itself so don't use it for this purpose as much.
- Always review the pictures you have taken. Check them out on your computer before uploading to Photobucket or Fotki. If the picture sucks then delete it. Those are the ones you're not buying.
- Finally, if the pic sucks, don't post it. You can tell us it looks great and although we might believe you, we want to see what you're seeing. Isn't that the whole point of posting the picture in the first place?
You just gotta play around with different angles and pictures. You'll soon find a method that works and stick with it. I hope this helps at least a little bit. It should help out with some of the contest pics you submit.
