It is amazing how photos can turn out with a little help from your friends.

[Toney Robertson]

The help I have received here has immensely helped the photos of my work. I can believe that I thought some of my old photos were good. I know that they are still not perfect but I feel they are light years beyond my early ones.

Old photo

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj101/iublue/110-10A.jpg

New and improved model

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj101/iublue/110-10A-1.jpg

Old

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj101/iublue/122-22A.jpg

Same piece - Really!!

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj101/iublue/122-22A-1.jpg

A good background helps a little too. :D

Any other tips that ANYONE wishes to pass my way will be greatly appreciated.

Toney

[Steve Schlumpf]

Toney - yes, your newer photos are much improved! Amazing what a little lighting and a backdrop can do!

As far as suggestions... always good to play with lighting and see what effects shadows have on your turnings. Other thing to play with is perspective - or camera angle when viewing the turning. Both of those variables will change the photo immensely and the only way you can find what works for you - is to take lots and lots of photos!

Other thing to consider is software as minor tweaks here and there can also make a huge difference. What software are you using?

[Bernie Weishapl]

Wow those did improve. I wish I could find somone here to help.

[Jon Lanier]

Those are sweet!

[Ron Jones near Indy]

The newer photos are much better. I'm sure you are pleased to have better presentation of your nice work. Good photos, really good work--I'm envious.

[Alan Trout]

Very nice, both photo's and work. I wish I had a friend like that. A huge improvement.

Alan

[Dewey Torres]

Wow.... I really have much to learn from this community, The before and after are simply amazing.

[Toney Robertson]

Toney - yes, your newer photos are much improved! Amazing what a little lighting and a backdrop can do!

As far as suggestions... always good to play with lighting and see what effects shadows have on your turnings. Other thing to play with is perspective - or camera angle when viewing the turning. Both of those variables will change the photo immensely and the only way you can find what works for you - is to take lots and lots of photos!

Other thing to consider is software as minor tweaks here and there can also make a huge difference. What software are you using?

Steve,

I am using Photoshop LE which is not a full working program (I am too cheap!). It does a decent job but if there is a shareware program out there that is better I would use it in a heartbeat. Also the program is several years old so maybe a newer program would be better.

You are so right about taking LOTS of pictures. I take multiple shots of each piece with different camera settings. That IMO is the strength of digital photography is the ability to take and waste lots of pictures at no increase in cost. I don't mess with the lights much but that might be the next area that I should pursue.

Thanks,

Toney

[Roger Wilson]

Steve,

I am using Photoshop LE which is not a full working program (I am too cheap!). It does a decent job but if there is a shareware program out there that is better I would use it in a heartbeat.

Toney

Have you looked at Gimp ? It is open software (free) and has a good rep.


http://www.gimp.org/

[Toney Robertson]

Have you looked at Gimp ? It is open software (free) and has a good rep.


http://www.gimp.org/

Thanks Roger, I will check it out.

Toney

[Dahl Troy Perry]

Toney Great pictures big difference. Did you get my email about getting together?

[Jim Kountz]

Tony, great shots man! I agree 100%, I could never get my photos right and still have some trouble but its getting better all the time thanks to all the folks here at the Creek. Its a fantastic resource. And by the way, nice job on all those turnings, amazing work!!

[Steve Mawson]

There is a big difference. Never really thought about photo's until I started seeing all the great ones here of projects from all the members. I guess photo's will be next if I make something worthy of a good picture. Amazing, the difference in the HF.

[Steve Mellott]

Where do you buy the graduated (white to gray) backdrops? I checked with a local camera store and they only had very large ones - nothing suitable for a photo tent. Thanks.

Steve

[Steve Schlumpf]

Steve,

There are a number of places that offer backdrops online, so you can check around. This is the one that I use (#39) and really like it. The darker one (#9) is great for dramatic effect but the lighter version is a little more versatile, IMHO.

http://www.phototechinc.com/graduate.htm

[Toney Robertson]

Steve,

There are a number of places that offer backdrops online, so you can check around. This is the one that I use (#39) and really like it. The darker one (#9) is great for dramatic effect but the lighter version is a little more versatile, IMHO.

http://www.phototechinc.com/graduate.htm

That is the site where I got mine. I opted for #39.

Toney

[Steve Mellott]

Toney/Steve:

Thanks. Did you order the vertical or horizontal format? (I am planning to use it for the same types of projects as Toney.) Thanks again.

Steve

[Steve Schlumpf]

Steve - vertical creates the illusion of a horizon/distance and therefore would seem a little closer to real. Remember, you want the backdrop to NOT be the center of attention.

[Steve Mellott]

Steve/Toney:

Thanks. I just ordered one - now I have to learn how to use it!

Steve

[Keith Christopher]

Have you looked at Gimp ? It is open software (free) and has a good rep.


http://www.gimp.org/


You beat me to it !!!!

The gimp rocks ! it's a freeware photoshop. I have yet to find something photoshop can do that it can't. Lotsa plugins for it as well.