KenmoreRulesAll

I looked for a similar thread and couldn't find one. Perhaps this one will die a quick death but here goes:

Being a member of this and a few other groups devoted to vintage sewing machines (among other subjects), many of us regularly photograph our machines/parts/methods to document our interests.

Do you have an approach to photography, specifically taking pictures of sewing machines?

When you want your machine to look its best for a close-up, how to you prepare the machine and the photographic setting?

Speaking of settings, do you have any camera tips for producing really good shots?

What kind(s) of camera(s) and other equipment do you use?

Etc.

Rodney

I was hoping you would tell us.

I just point and shoot and hope there's nothing too embarrassing in the background. I really need to pay more attention to taking good pictures. I think I've gotten lazy about photography since it went digital. It's too easy to just take another picture. When I was using film I had to pay attention and make it count.
I don't think the camera itself is that important for a decent photo. I think making sure the lighting and composition is right is the important part. I don't spend enough time on either.

I think this thread is a good idea. I'm hoping there's some photographers among us that will share their methods.
Rodney

Cari-in-Oly

ROTFL, that's my method too. My usual camera is an old Samsung 5 mega pixel Digimax, but I also have an even older Concord 2 mega pixel that still works. I only bought the Samsung because the Concord doesn't have the tulip setting for close ups.

Cari

KenmoreRulesAll

Oh, come on! Both of you take very good shots.

I just got two new cameras (actually one is used) and I'm beginning to realize just how ignorant I am. One of the manuals is nearly 200 pages. I see photos on eBay, blogs, and other sites that are stunning. (I also see a lot of really terrible shots, especially on CL. I assume people just point their phone and press the button.)

Cari-in-Oly

I take and delete at least 10 shots for every one I keep. I'm no photographer. The tulip thingy is the only thing I know about cameras, that and I know you don't have to have the million mega pixels to take a good pic for uploading to the web. If I want to print one of my pics I put it on a zip drive and give it to one of my girls, they will edit and do what ever to make it look good and get it printed.

Cari

J Miller

For the internet I use a Canon Power Shot A 520 set on 640x480 to keep the pics reasonable. The controls are usually set on AUTO, but sometimes I have it on MACRO, and sometimes I turn the flash off.

Often with the flash off I have to use a photo program to lighten the pics up to see them.
My camera has a little picture viewer on the back so I can pretty much see if I'm getting the pics I want without doing a bunch, picking the best and deleting the rest.

Joe

KalamaQuilts

it is the potential for interesting background stuff that makes us open those threads

When I was selling on ebay there was a long thread were the sellers had managed to get themselves reflected in whatever shiny thing they were selling. There were some Really embarrassing pictures...

vintagelady

The best way to take a photograph is to put your camera on a tripod. You don't need an expensive one just a 10.00 dollar one is fine. If you are going to take macro pics you really have to have it on a tripod or your pics will always have some blurriness from really blurry to being a little soft. You will never get a crispy clear picture without one.

If you have enough natural light shoot with that instead of the flash. If you don't have enough natural light you can change the iso to a faster speed to allow for more light.

For smaller parts you can use a light box. You can make one and use it outside in the natural light.
Maria

vintagelady

Joe,
If you can change the iso and shutter speed on your camera you can eliminate a lot of the editing you do afterwards. Also if you change (if you can) the setting that shows a lightbulb you will the see the difference on the viewer.
Maria

Mrs. SewNSew

I have a Nikon D40. I usually use the automatic setting with a close-up lens on and snap a few trying to get good shots of what I want to show. I make them smaller later if it's something I want to share on the internet. Most of my personal documentation is loaded with tons of photographs showing a new machine from all sides, any defects or highlights and the model and serial number. I also photograph things as I go about working on the machine to help get parts back on that I remove or to document changes.

Machines that I just want to share initially, I don't put loads of effort into the setting and just try for a good clear shot. OTOH, a machine that I am posting for sale ****elsewhere--please don't ban me!**** I stage a setting with a nice colored thread, a stitch sample, and sewing implements near at hand to help the buyer imagine it in their own home.