Photographing my work has been a problem since day one.

Fortunately today there is digital photography which means that we can try different settings until we get it right.

Before digital photography I was using up film, running the film to the photo store for developing and either getting the results I wanted or not.

When I did get something I liked I had already forgotten just how I had the camera set.

I have no more experience than the average person when it comes to taking photos.  I have to work with the camera setting until I get the photo I want.

Ideally I would photograph my work against a light colored wall.  Most homes and offices have light colored walls.

The problem here is that a light colored background gives off shadows as you can see in the photo below.. The shadows make this photo confusing.

Below, the same bicycle against a black background gets rid of the shadows. But we can do better than this.

This photo was taken on automatic using the flash against a black background..  The background and the bicycle are washed out.

The black background is a twin sheet that I bought at Target in the bedding department. 

A deep hunter green also works, although there may be a few shadows.

Notice the background in the upper half of the photo.  The fabric is black although here it looks grey. 

The photo below jumps off the page.  This was done using the manual settings on the camera.  Camera lens set to 2.8  and exposure set at 1000.  The bacground here is even blacker than the black fabric.

This photograph "pops" or "snaps" which are terms professional photographers use.  Meaning that the item in the photograph, in this case, the bicycle, has life to it.

Setting your camera at 1000 or above, you will want to you the timer feature.  This is the one you use when you want to be in the photo. 

This will fire the camera automatically.  If you use the button you will probably slightly jar the camera and the photo will be blurred.

I should point out here that I don't have some high end digital camera.  Most digital cameras today will allow you to use the camera manually.

My camera is over five years old, so it you have something newer you may be able to improve upon what I've done.

To figure out how to do this with your camera you'll need to read your manual.  I know, you probably don't like to read manuals.  I don't like reading through all that stuff but sometimes it's necessary to get the results I want..

Pay particular attention to lens settings..  The lower the number  (2.8) the wider the lens opening.  The larger the number (22) the narrower the lens opening.

There are a number of digital photography tutorials on YouTube which you may want to check out.

Software

Once you get the photo you want you can "tweak" it.  You can rotate and crop the photo.  These are standard features in today's software packages.

You may want to increase or decrease the brightness and or the contrast.

The software that came with your digital camera will probably do most of what you want to do.

My main use for photos is for web pages or to include in an email. 

The photos coming straight out of the camera will be larger in size than you'll want for web pages or email.

A size of approximately 500 pixels width and 420 pixels height is about right.  The above photos are 500 X 420 which will give you an idea as to size.

When you load the photos from your camera to the computer the photos will be larger than 500 X 420.  In  your graphic software you can resize them to any size you want.

Steps:

1) Shoot your photos. 

2) Load onto the computer.

3) Crop and rotate if needed.

4) Increase or decrease brightness - Increases or decrease contrast.

5) Resize photo.

Note:  When you get a setup that you like, meaning the settings on the camera, write them down.  It's easy to forget the settings.  If you don't write them down you'll have to go back to a trial and error process to achieve your previous results.

Below is a photo that was done by a professional photographer.  By manipulating the physical setup. the lighting and the camera settings the shadows have been eliminated.

Personally I don't have those skills which is why I prefer to use a black background. 

Here is the small point and shoot digital camera on a tripod.  For an inexpensive camera it has a host of different setting.

This is a photo of the cattails shot on automatic against the black background.  This isn't too bad a shot.

In the shot below the camera was in manual mode which gives the photo a bit more pop.

Brass maple leaf sprays are difficult to shoot because of the reflection.

The photo below was shot on automatic.

The photo below was set on the manual function.  I can't tell any discernable difference.  So in this case the automatic setting worked fine.  However, this is the exception.  Generally shooting against the black background the manual setting are preferred.

Note:  The finish on the black twin sheet is flat.  Flat - meaning that it doesn't have a sheen.

I wouldn't recommend using a fabric with a knap like velour or velvet. The knap on a fabric tends to absorb the light and the photos turn out looking dull with no snap or pop to them.

If you're like me, photographing your work is a means to an end.  I don't want to be a professional photographer.  I just want good photos of my work.

Getting familiar with your digital camera and trying out a number of setting is the key. 

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