Difference between revisions of "Photography"
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These are the most common problems we see in GWS: | These are the most common problems we see in GWS: | ||
| − | * '''FOCUS'''. With food you are working up close. That means ''macro''. Most cameras have a macro mode - the icon [ | + | * '''FOCUS'''. With food you are working up close. That means ''macro''. Most cameras have a macro mode - the icon looks like a tulip flower [[Image:Macro-icon.jpg]]. Macro allows the camera to focus when close to the subject instead of photographing the dirty pots in the background. |
* '''MOTION BLUR'''. This happens when the shutter speed is too low - the shutter is open too long and the camera records the movement and shaking of your hands holding the camera. There are two solutions: | * '''MOTION BLUR'''. This happens when the shutter speed is too low - the shutter is open too long and the camera records the movement and shaking of your hands holding the camera. There are two solutions: | ||
## Use a '''tripod'''. this will eliminate motion blur, but is probably impractical in the typical goon kitchen. | ## Use a '''tripod'''. this will eliminate motion blur, but is probably impractical in the typical goon kitchen. | ||
Revision as of 06:03, 16 August 2010
Technique
The basics
These are the most common problems we see in GWS:
- FOCUS. With food you are working up close. That means macro. Most cameras have a macro mode - the icon looks like a tulip flower
. Macro allows the camera to focus when close to the subject instead of photographing the dirty pots in the background. - MOTION BLUR. This happens when the shutter speed is too low - the shutter is open too long and the camera records the movement and shaking of your hands holding the camera. There are two solutions:
- Use a tripod. this will eliminate motion blur, but is probably impractical in the typical goon kitchen.
- Put your camera in AUTO ISO mode. The camera tries to use a fast shutter speed, but if the lens is "slow" and the ISO is set to a hard low value like 100 then it has no choice but to use a slower shutter to get correct exposure. With the ISO setting on AUTO the camera is free to raise the ISO when it needs to in order to maintain a nice fast shutter, eliminating motion blur.
- If you're still getting motion blur (unlikely) or the images are just too "dirty" looking (noisy - very common) then it's time for more LIGHT. Again, two options:
- Constant lighting: turn on all the lights in the room, or move the food next to a large window. Maybe get a desk lamp in there to brighten things up.
- Camera flash: as a last resort the flash will give you a fast shutter and clean images though it also gives that nuclear flash effect we know so well.
Special notes for DSLR users
- Fancy cameras with fast lenses are fun, but don't get carried away. Don't shoot wide open unless you can get all of the interesting parts in focus. That means use Av mode and wind it up until you're getting good Depth Of Field. Use the DoF Preview or review your shots and adjust as necessary. Razor thin DoF that only shows a fraction of the dish is a classic newbie bad habit and it's very frustrating for viewers who are actually interested in the food and not your lens.
- Use different angles. Get above the dish. For the love of god don't shoot every frame side on.
Proper dorkroom stuff
[insert all the advanced stuff from dunkman's thread]
