I'd love a dvd or tutorial on how to photograph reborns realistically (an in-depth dvd or tutorial, not just a short article). Also, it would be nice if Secrist (or some other company) offered color-correcting lights for indoor photography since some of us live in the land of eternal snow. Normal indoor lighting gives the babies a bluish cast and sunlight is something I only have access to for a few months out of the year.
Even in the sunlight, I still cant take real good pics. I blame the camera, and the photographer. But that would be nice to have something to refere to. XXXXXXX June.
I never get good pictures either. I've tried everything to try and capture the true look but it never works out. I use to blame the camera as well but since I have a brand new one I guess it's the photographer LOL.
Me either! I've even attended a workshop at IDEX. In fairness to me (LOL), the workshop seemed to focus on arranging and posing as opposed to the camera and lighting.
I had a terrible time photographing my doll for the cover contest. My shots were arranged fine, but the camera simply took some really awful photos. For the first time in a few months, rain finally came to the Valley, and the clouds covered the sun. My photos turned out too dark and they didn't look at all clear. They were, in fact, so awful that it took an entire day of working on trying to fix the lighting and focus problems. To make a long story shorter... I blame the camera!
I ended up borrowing my daughter's camera that has 2 fewer mega pixels, and the photos were 100% better. So far, I've had to borrow a camera to take photos of all my dolls, and it's getting old. I would have thought our camera would take better photos than hers.
So... Now I think the number of mega pixels is not the sole factor in determining the camera quality. I'm thinking the lens must be a major factor. Her camera says it is a SLR lens. Tina, I think the problem you have may actually be the lens? Surely it isn't user error.
I agree with all of you that a tutorial on photography would be so helpful for us.
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Linda Dreyer~ Forum Moderator Secrist Certified Newborning Teacher & Dealer Apple Valley DW Dealer Play Days Dolls & Collectibles PlayDaysDolls.com (Current Avatar: Erinfrom Secrist Dolls)
Like operator error? hehehe I know... I used to have that problem too with the indoor lighting but I found that in the menu for my digital camera there is a place to set it for not only the lighting but also the quality of the pics. I have a Kodak and I just love it! Not a lot of megapixels (I think only 4 or 5) but it's pretty good for $150. I got it for Christmas 2 years ago. That is the same one I took the pics with on my site of my babies. Not too bad. But check out your menu fully in your camera. You might be surprized of what's in there!
Duh... I never thought of checking a menu, but this camera isn't really user-friendly. I think I'll check out Kodak. Does it have a name on it, such as "Point and Shoot" or "Kodak for Dummies"?
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Linda Dreyer~ Forum Moderator Secrist Certified Newborning Teacher & Dealer Apple Valley DW Dealer Play Days Dolls & Collectibles PlayDaysDolls.com (Current Avatar: Erinfrom Secrist Dolls)
I am new to the forum, and just started looking around because I am interested in trying to make a reeborn doll, but I do take quite a lot of pictures, so may be able to help there.
Like she said in the post before, check the menu of the camera, there is normally a lighting setting for indoor, outdoor, fluorescent, etc. Also, You may want to put the baby by a window for more natural lighting, and keep the flash off, but step farther away from the reborn doll, and zoom in so the flash isn't too harsh. The flash will help with the shadows on the doll, and the natural light is always best, but window light is okay too, more natural.
Here is a website that talks about white balance. http://digital-photography-school.com/introduction-to-white-balance
Basically each camera has a white balance setting, that is what I was talking about above, and using these settings, can help get rid of the unnatural tint caused by indoor lighting.
I'm glad you jumped in to help us with our photography issues. Tina and I need all the help we can get, right Tina?
I'll have a look at that website. I really appreciate the advice!
P.S. Welcome to the forum, if I haven't welcomed you previously!
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Linda Dreyer~ Forum Moderator Secrist Certified Newborning Teacher & Dealer Apple Valley DW Dealer Play Days Dolls & Collectibles PlayDaysDolls.com (Current Avatar: Erinfrom Secrist Dolls)