Father Christmas was very kind to me this year – in a very loooooong stocking I found some…
Mini studio lights (for better pictures in the long winter nights) and a tripod (for those close up crochet shots)!
I’ve finally managed to find some time this weekend to do some reading on how to take a better photo and have come across some wonderful sites which I wanted to share.
Darcy’s Life with my 3 boy Barians has a great “31 days to a better photo” series which has quickly become my “photo bible”.
Darcy uses an analogy that really helps to understand how to get the perfect photo – it goes something like this.
Imagine a bowl…any bowl…
Achieving a perfect photo is like filling up that bowl with water (light) right to its brim without spilling any over the top.
Too little light (water) there’s not enough to record the image properly and the picture is too dark or underexposed.
Too much light (water) and it “spills”, the photo is spoilt – its over exposed and too bright.
How you get the right amount of light into the photo (just like getting the water into that bowl from a tap) depends on various factors such as how long your camera’s shutter is open for (amount of time the tap is turned on), the size of aperture (the tap spout’s diameter) and the camera’s ISO / sensitivity to light (the speed of water flow).
Any why am I do excited about the photo equipment?
For makes like these Attic 24 daffodils I normally need to wait until there’s good daylight to photo…
But now….
Other great posts to check out if you want to find out more on “how to take a better photo” are below. If you know of any more I would love to know – please send me your comments!
So far, all the info I have read has one clear message – read your photo manual!
Can you guess what I’m off to do next?
thestitchsharer 
Thanks for this post, it’s very timely. I bought a new camera yesterday and unburied an old tripod my husband used years ago. Lights may be next. Your daffodils look fabulous in the better light.
That sounds really exciting! What did you get? Hope you are having fun with it. X
Ooh what fantastic lights! I am building up my camera collection to help me start taking better photos. I recently purchased a light tent from eBay (which was cheap and is AMAZING!) and I have just ordered a ring flash (which I think I missed in today’s post 😦 ) I have some books to read through though, I want to get the most out of my DSLR and stop relying on the auto setting!
Completely know that feeling! My camera is a bridge one (would love to progress to a DSLR one day!), I’m determined to master the aperture setting so I can create some of those gorgeous pictures with a focused front section and blurred background. X
Hi – interesting Post thank you. I’m v impressed by the daffodil after-shot! I’m always disappointed with my images on my blog as they never look so good on the screen. I used to be an avid photographer but have lost interest and just want to point and shoot with a camera photo. I’ve booked myself onto a Photo workshop at Unravel run by Louise Walker, Photographer and Knitter. It’s for those with blogs who want to improve their textile photos. Her blog is worth a peek. http://sincerelylouise.blogspot.co.uk/ Cheers
The photo workshop sounds like great fun. Just checked out Louise’s blog, such amazing work. X
I’m doing that workshop at Unravel too! I can’t wait, I need serious help with my photos. I bought a mini studio set from eBay that comes with a tripod and lights but I don’t know what I’m doing with my camera really.
The workshop sounds fantastic! You’ll have go share your top tips! X
Great post!!! I need a good camera, your photographs are perfect 🙂
Thank you so much. I’ll have to write some more posts as (if!) I manage to progress! X
good, may i ask what camera are you using? the close up is perfect looking….
Thank you. The camera is a sony bridge camera cyber-shot model number: dsc-hx100v. It’s a couple of years old and there is a 300 version which has an amazing zoom. X
Thx!!! I need a better camera 🙂
Great gift from Santa!! I’d love one of those.
Lucky you.
Cheers, Anita.
Thank you. X
I really need to look for some of those lights! And read the manual too, that would really help…
I’ll write a post about using them if they are any good! X
Looking forward to it
That light is brilliant! Compact and on a tripod. I have to have a look for some. I’m always unplugging and moving lamps to try to get more light to take pictures. Although I did get a tripod for my camera last week from a thrift shop for $10!!
That’s a great price for a tripod – has you had the chance to use it yet?
Yes, and it is a fun toy! It extends to a good 6 foot height and holds the camera perfectly. Here’s the issue with self photos though is trying to get a good composition and/or not cutting off my head, feet, etc. My lcd screen does not swing out to face the other way on my camera, it is a simple point and shoot, so I have to look at it first, try to ‘imagine’ myself in the shot, then set the timer and hope for the best. LOL.
I can just imagine! The self timer is on my ‘must learn’ list too! X
Nice! You must have been a very good girl all last year 🙂
I did write Santa a really lovely letter! x