Picture Quality

[Halley]

Okay I cannot seem to get pics the way I want them. Here is the picture quality I get. I know it isn’t horrible but I would like better.

What I don’t like is the spot from the flash (the flash seems to be the only way I can get a good pic though) and how the rest of the backgrounds fades into a grey color.

Here is what I put the geckos on.

Is there any way to improve my quality?

Here is what I want them to look like. No flash spot, all white, everything perfect. But how do I get that? Do you have to get a computer program for that, or is it all set-up?
http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=23243

Thanks for your help, Nick

 

[moosassah]

Nick, I think the people use photo boxes so the the light reflects from all directions. Try searching "set up" in the photo section. I know there are posts that have pics of how they do the shoots.

 

[jaredm3624]

try a non-reflective background. That might help. Not 100% sure though. I'm not a photography major.

 

[Halley]

Nick, I think the people use photo boxes so the the light reflects from all directions. Try searching "set up" in the photo section. I know there are posts that have pics of how they do the shoots.

Didn't even know we had a photo section, thanks. I'll look at that, but would appreciate any further responses as well.

 

[desertgecko]

I too was thinking about how people got such nice photos on white backgrounds. I think lighting is a big part of it. Can you add extra lighting so the flash is either not needed or maybe so it blends in on the board as everything is brighter, if you get what I mean. On DSLR camera's (not point and shoot ones) you can get a flashgun and can add a diffuser to it which still gives the same flash, but is softened. This is what I plan on trying when I stop spending money on geckos lol At the moment I need to set up a white environment to take photos of my geckos on!

 

[desertgecko]

try a non-reflective background. That might help. Not 100% sure though. I'm not a photography major.

Yeah, I've noticed some people use plain paper towels which don't give a reflection. I guess other fabric would work too?

 

[jaredm3624]

Yeah, I've noticed some people use plain paper towels which don't give a reflection. I guess other fabric would work too?

Or maybe a white bath towel or something like that.

 

[Halley]

I've set up a light box; it isn't working to well at the moment. If I get good pics out of it, I will post them.

 

[fallen_angel]

Cameras vary too.. we were using "digital camera A" at one point and it was taking amazing pics, but then had to use "digital camera B", and we could really tell the difference between the two

 

[Halley]

I think I have an okay camera. I don't know much about them though. But here is what it says on the front. Sony cyber-shot. 7.2 mega pixels, 1,000 ISO, and a few other things but those are the major ones (they are highlighted). Is this good?

 

[Ccrashca069]

I have a Panasonic DMC-TZ1 It had 10x Optical zoom and a Macro lens. The Macro lens are the key to getting good detail for reptiles.

 

[Halley]

Well here is the quality I’m getting right now. This one looked perfect on my camera, and then looked like this once on the computer. I don’t know why

But most of them look like this. I think the pics are worse than with just the flash.

 

[fallen_angel]

I don't know much about cameras either, but I do know that the Macro lens that John mentioned could have been the difference between the two cameras we were using.. the better camera being the one with the Macro lens

I don't think that first pic looks bad at all, really.. the only thing is that the gecko is facing the other direction. Very beautiful geckos too btw

 

[Crazygecko]

just a couple of things. Are you using a soft white light?
Also you want to make sure the light is not shining at the camera at all or it will mess with your shutter speeds and give you dull looking pictures.
Also I noticed with your first pics you were using a shiny background to put your gecko on. That works the same as aiming your camera at a light. Something you dont want.
If you really want to show off the color of your geckos put them on backgrounds that will show off there colors. Sorry i dont know morphs to well. But that snow you have dont put it on a white background. just washes him out some.
if you use some nice soft white lights pointed at your gecko and from behind you or above them you should get some really nice pics.

 

[ataber]

to diffuse the light you can put a piece of paper towel or tissue paper over it. That should soften the light enough to get rid of the shine

 

[Halley]

the better camera being the one with the Macro lens

What exactly is a macro lens?

Very beautiful geckos too btw

Thank you

just a couple of things. Are you using a soft white light?

I've put two fluorescent light bulbs on both sides, and the top, so I think so

Also you want to make sure the light is not shining at the camera at all or it will mess with your shutter speeds and give you dull looking pictures.

I'll have to check that. Thanks

Also I noticed with your first pics you were using a shiny background to put your gecko on. That works the same as aiming your camera at a light. Something you dont want.

It is the same background on both, I’m still using the flash though, and it seems to do that. However the lights I’m using only produce as much as a 100 watt (300 all together) should I get brighter lights? That way I shouldn’t have to use the flash, and it should all work out great. right?

Here is the set-up I have right now. Cardboard box, with tracing paper on the two sides, and the top, three lights, one on both sides, and one on top, and cardstock for the background. It is brighter than this, is just looks crummy in the picture.

Here is a pic I just took with out flash

Picture with flash (same gecko) The background in this one looks exactly how I want it (except I got some cardboard in the background) but the gecko looks like he is glowing. I’m going to try and work on this a bit more today as I think me closer to a good picture, than I was before.

And I really appreciate everybody’s help, and responses. And if you have anything else you think I should know I would love to hear that as well.

 

[Crazygecko]

i am not sure if this will help with that gecko. But try putting him on a real dark almost black background. And then try taking that same pic with the fash on. The black background wont reflect the fash back at the camera and wash your picture out.

 

[sushikam]

I don't know if I can be of much help, because I am no professional, but love photography and am trying to learn as much as I can. I have a DSLR camera that allows me to change many many settings (not that yours doesn't, I'm not sure how much you can fool with on yours). I have a very similar light box as you do and use three lights just like you, except I use white posterboard as my background. I do not use the flash at all and my pictures tend to turn out pretty decent.

What I would recommend is that you set your ISO to maybe 200 or 400. The higher it is the grainier it will be (and sorry, you may know that already). But the higher the ISO the more light the camera will let in without needing the flash. What I have also done is get a light that has a bendable "arm" or what have you, and put that in front of the light box at an angle so that it is shining on your gecko. That allows more light to be on them rather than having it diffused through the paper...I find this works well. Then I have the other two lights, one of which goes on the top and the other on one side. If I can ever get some pictures up I will show you what I mean.

Also, if you have the ability to change your fstop settings, it may be best to put that between 2.5-5.5 (the fstop is really something you would have to play with, with your specific lighting conditions). The lower the fstop the more light it will let in, but also you will have a lower depth of field which means you may not get a perfectly crisp shot of your gecko all around, it will focus more on one spot, but still works pretty well.

Anyway, I'll shut up now :main_rolleyes:...I tend to babble on.

Some of that info may be pointless to you if your camera doesn't allow you to change certain settings, such as the fstop. But give it a shot if you can and maybe that will help.

 

[GekkoGalaksen]

I take the best pics with my "cheep" little compact camera...
A plain white paper in the window, with daylight from outside and soft flash.
I have found out that it´s importent to use the flash...even if the daylight seems bright enough.