Pages

Monday, January 6, 2014

Frugal Still Life Photography

I've wanted to "learn" how to take better pictures, from time to time, so when this opportunity availed itself I decided there is no time like the present!  Well, I don't really know anything about camera settings, etc, but I used a couple of the different settings from my "point and shoot" camera, which is what I will be doing, I think, for the most part, with this course!

Cheryl McCain is doing the course, which is now closed to sign-ups.  She is going to have another workshop beginning in March, I believe.  You can read more about it here:
http://cherylmccainphotography.com/frugal-still-life-photographer/


So, without using a "soft box" for lighting, I decided to go with the light that was coming in through the dining room window.  Here's the "pull back" shot showing the dining room table, my blanket I used for the "backdrop" and how the light is entering the photos from the right side.

Here are the shots I took:

The very first one I took, I decided I definitely didn't like the zip loc bag container, LOL!

So, I switched subjects!  :D  I liked Cheryl's idea of the glass jar, so I searched through our game drawer and found this jar of colorful dice (which I got the dice at $$ Tree, btw!).

These first 2 shots were taken using the "party" lighting setting on the camera.  The colors seem to be a little deeper/richer to me.


The rest of these shots were taken using a "food" setting, which spoke more of a "still life" setting.  But, what do I know, LOL!








So, I really don't think I like any of them.  I'm thinking I have LOTS to learn!  What do you think?  Thanks for looking!
Posted by at 2:07 PM
Labels:

25 comments:

  1. senoviaJanuary 6, 2014 at 3:22 PM

    Yeay for playing and trying to learn something new! Enjoy the class!

    ReplyDelete
  2. MollyJanuary 6, 2014 at 3:28 PM

    My favorite one is the fourth on of the marbles - the one that is more 'head on' if you will… haven't decided what I am going to try yet… but my mind is turning that's for sure….

    ReplyDelete
  3. Cheryl MJanuary 6, 2014 at 3:47 PM

    Vicky, I think you did a wonderful job! I like that you were frugal and purchased the dice at the Dollar Store......great job! I like the party setting shots because they don't have as much reflection of light on them but I DO LOVE the area you have for your shots. Gorgeous wonderful light! AND the fact that you took the time to experiment with the various settings on your camera. Kudos to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VickyJanuary 6, 2014 at 7:08 PM

      Thanks, Cheryl! I think I like the lighting on those also more than the others which seem a little too bright! And, yeah, "me and the dollar store are tight" LOL!

      Delete
  4. Maria OntiverosJanuary 6, 2014 at 5:05 PM

    I like 1, 3 and 4 a lot. I guess I like a view looking into the jar, rather than looking from above. I ended up shooting on the "running man" mode because I wasn't getting as sharp a focus by selecting my own settings. I think we all have things to learn! Mine will go live on Wednesday.
    Rinda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VickyJanuary 6, 2014 at 7:10 PM

      Thanks, Rinda! I'll have to try out the "running man" (I think it is called "sports" on my Lumix) too!

      Delete
  5. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2014 at 9:26 PM

    Love the lighting on the second to last one, how it kind of dapples in the background. Now I want to find a jar and spill some things :)
    ~Ruth Anne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VickyJanuary 6, 2014 at 10:30 PM

      Thanks, Ruth Anne! LOL! Make sure you spill some things that aren't too messy! :D

      Delete
  6. BarbaraJanuary 7, 2014 at 9:09 AM

    Love the pull back shots of experimenting and my favorite is the first one of the dice images!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VickyJanuary 7, 2014 at 10:40 AM

      Thanks, Barbara! I have to agree that I like the lighting and the color on the first 2 dice shots the best!

      Delete
  7. AnonymousJanuary 7, 2014 at 10:54 AM

    Dice are so much fun! Love the colors and your set up!

    ReplyDelete
  8. SusanJanuary 8, 2014 at 1:34 AM

    I liked one and 3 a lot from the dice pics. wish yhou'd done more with those jacks.

    The state of your blanket leads me to believe you do not have 5 cats! xox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VickyJanuary 8, 2014 at 11:13 AM

      LOL, Susan! DEFINITELY, no cats!!! I love kittens.........cats, not so much! :D XOXO

      Delete
  9. MelissaJanuary 8, 2014 at 10:57 PM

    I think the first one with the party lighting setting is my favorite. Great job setting this up and playing around with different shots!

    ReplyDelete
  10. KarenJanuary 10, 2014 at 7:28 AM

    My favorite is the first of the dice shots, and I think it's great. I've never heard of some of those settings so this was really interesting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VickyJanuary 10, 2014 at 9:44 PM

      Thanks, Karen! Those are the "auto" settings from my point and shoot camera. I use a LUMIX DMC-ZS8 by Panasonic.

      Delete
  11. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2014 at 6:42 PM

    Nice work, Vicky!! It's fun to see all the different shots you took. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. MiriamJanuary 10, 2014 at 7:11 PM

    You did a great job! I had to laugh though, as I said the same as you in my post. I like shot 4 of the dice.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Nina January 12, 2014 at 3:59 PM

    Hi Vicki, A great idea to use the colorful dices! I love the soft background fleese, and the glass - great work! I look forward to this course together with you and other creative minds,
    Blessings to you week,
    Nina

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)