Saturday, August 24, 2013

Quilt Photography Workshop Linky Party August Challenge

Taking good pictures is harder than you think. Taking a picture that is clear and sharp isn't necessarily a good photo, there's a big difference between a picture in focus and a "good" picture. A good picture in my opinion is a picture that tells a story and pulls the viewer into the photo, it makes the viewer believe they know exactly what was happening at the moment the picture was snapped. If you can hear the trees rustling, the conversation and even feel the breeze in my opinion that's a GREAT photo. I know these are pictures of fabric there's no convo, but ya know what I mean... you just wanna grab the fabric and head to the machine! Sew, here's my fabric photos...I'll start with what I don't like and then move to what I think is more pleasing.

Too busy, if it was cropped it could be better.
ISO 400 f5.6 1/20


Too blurry and busy with the spools in foreground.
ISO 200 f9 1/3

Too much of the photograph is blurry, it hurts my eyes.
ISO 200 f5.6


The background is too distracting. There's sunlight sneaking into the pic.
ISO 200 f5.6


I don't like how the fabric is leaning.
ISO 400 f5.6 1/13
 Okay, so this is what I like better.



This photo is cropped below...I like the cropped version better, it's centered on the fabric.
ISO 400 f5.6 1/15





I like how the fabric completely fills the frame, the fabric on the diagonal makes it interesting and you can see the texture of the fabric.
ISO 200 f5.6 1/8

I like the off center-ness of this one...you can see the texture in the fabric and the spool doesn't take anything away from the pic.
ISO 200 f5.6 1/6

I like how the fabric is pretty straight across the photo.



I have a good friend who says... "Fake it til you make it!" Even though I can't keep track of what all the numbers mean on my camera...I adjust them until I get a sharp focused pic. Some day I hope to know all the lingo and what settings to use without guessing...I got pictures I like even if I couldn't tell you how I got them...I got'em just the same!!!

I'm linking to Plum and June's Quilt Photography Workshop! Make sure you check out all the other link ups for more tips and tricks for blog photography!



Plum and June


Now go take some pics!

Nini~

28 comments:

  1. Great job! I can hear the trees.

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  2. Teresa thanx for stopping by! So I guess my photog's improved already!!!

    Nini~

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  3. Great post! I think those old spools were a perfect prop for the fabric photos and great idea to show your favorites and not so favorites. Thanks for joining in.

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  4. I like the photos where you can see the texture of the fabric, too. Thanks for sharing this. It was something I didn't really think of while photographing. Great job, Nini!

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  5. Thanx Beth! It's nice to pick up my camera again...I kinda fell out of love with it. I'm feeling in like again, that's a great start!!

    Nini~

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  6. Thank you Lorna...I love up close photography, maybe because I LOVE texture...hmmm, I think I want a macro lens!! Uh oh!!

    Nini~

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  7. Thanks for sharing - very helpful!

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  8. You're welcome Debbie!! It was fun to really take a look at what I do while taking photos!

    Thanx for stopping by,

    Nini~

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  9. I love your "like" photos at the end and you did a great job describing what worked and didn't.

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  10. So...... I have now learned my first major words of wisdom. A "Photo Should Tell A Story". Brilliant-that may have crossed other minds--but not mine. That statement I will remember always! Just call me Grasshopper!

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  11. I like your use of props. And like Teresa said I can hear the trees.

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  12. I do like your use of props. And the cropped photos definitely focus your eye on the fabric better. :)

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  13. Helen,

    Yes Grasshoppa...tell a story...and fake it til ya make it!! This sharing info is a great idea, ya never know what will spark creativity in someone else!

    Nini~

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  14. Becca,

    I love those old spools! Thanx for noticing!

    Nini~

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  15. Jess,

    I try not to have to do too much editing, mostly because I don't have a photo editing program, but cropping...I can do that!!

    Thank you for visiting.

    Nini~

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  16. Thank you Hydeeannsews!! I know what I like but can't always get it. I am happy with my "like" photos too a rarity for me, I'm my worst critic...

    Thank you for visiting!

    Nini~

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  17. You take beautiful photos, Nini. I really love outdoor photos where the fabric just looks like it belongs there.

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  18. Thank you Kelly! I love natural light for photos. These photos were taken around 6:00pm, just when the sun started to set behind trees in my yard. The perfect light for a soft look.

    Thank you for visiting!

    Nini~

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  19. Great job! the place goes great with the fabrics, and you edited them very nicely!!

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  20. I enjoyed reading your post. I feel pretty comfortable with the technical part of photography, but I could definitely use some work on the creative part. Thank you for sharing!

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  21. Erica, I don't feel comfortable with either at this point. I am working on my composing, the camera eventually gets the right settings, pleasing composition eludes me.

    Nini~

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  22. Great pictures and explanation! Love the different angles of the fabrics. I joined in too. It was great to learn a few things a long the way with this linky party.

    Amira @ http://littlemushroomcap.blogspot.com

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  23. Thanx Amira! I have learned a few things too! Great idea this linky party is!!!

    Nini~

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  24. Great job with the photos! Love your props and the beautiful textures in the fabrics.
    Visiting from Plum and June :-)

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  25. Thank you Kim! I love when you can see texture!! Thanx for visiting.

    Nini~

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  26. I love the props you've used, they make the photos very personal and leave a longer impression.

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  27. Thank you Ella and Nesta!

    I really love old beat up props, and yes it does make them more personal...didn't realize why I liked them in a pic, but that makes perfect sense.

    Nini~

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