| I am often asked by jewelry and craft artists | | | | become familiar with are the self-timer, setting |
| what they can do to improve their photography. | | | | the white balance and the exposure values, how |
| Here are my top 11 tips for anyone that has | | | | to take photographs using the manual or macro |
| problems taking great digital photographs. | | | | focusing settings, how to use the built in flash, |
| 1.Use a tripod and the camera self-timer. Using | | | | how to zoom in and out from the subject of the |
| these two items at all times will give you clear | | | | photograph, and how to set the resolution you |
| and sharp photographs. | | | | are going to use for taking your photographs. |
| 2.Keep the background clean and uncluttered. | | | | 9.Don't be afraid to experiment in taking photos. |
| Remove any unnecessary items from the area | | | | Try using different techniques for taking your |
| that you are taking the photograph. This will also | | | | photographs. Use a different camera angle, |
| keep your eyes from being distracted from the | | | | different lighting, rotate the object of the |
| subject of the photograph. | | | | photograph, try different background colors, and |
| 3.Move the camera as close to the subject as | | | | try different exposure values for your |
| possible. Use the viewing screen on the camera, | | | | photographs. You will never know what will or will |
| and fill up the screen as much as possible. This | | | | not work unless you try using different techniques |
| may mean that you will need to use the macro | | | | in your photography. You may be surprised at |
| setting on your camera. Refer to your owner's | | | | how well a new technique that you used actually |
| manual for the distances that the camera is | | | | makes your photographs turn out. |
| designed for using the macro setting. | | | | 10. Do not expect to get the perfect photograph |
| 4.Keep your subject of the photograph focused. | | | | by taking just one or two photographs of an |
| Nobody likes to look at a photograph that is out | | | | item. It may happen once in a while, but very |
| of focus. If your photo is not focused properly, | | | | seldom. I am rarely able to take just one or two |
| then retake the photograph. | | | | photographs of an item that I want to |
| 5.Avoid dark shadows. Use indirect sunlight, flash | | | | photograph, and consider the photograph to be |
| or other lighting sources for photographing your | | | | the best photo that I can possibly take. Expect to |
| jewelry or craft items. Indirect sunlight is the best | | | | take five or more photographs before you are |
| lighting source for photography. | | | | able to get the perfect photo. |
| 6.Before you set up your camera equipment, | | | | 11. If you use the camera's built in flash for your |
| have an idea in your mind of how you want the | | | | jewelry and craft photography, use the power |
| photograph to appear, when you view the finished | | | | cord that comes with your camera to generate |
| photo. | | | | the maximum amount of light output from the |
| 7.Enhance your photographs by resizing, cropping, | | | | cameras flash unit for every photo that you take. |
| sharpening, rotating (when necessary), and | | | | As the cameras batteries start to discharge as |
| compressing the image. Try to take your | | | | you are using your camera, with or without using |
| photographs so that you only have to do a | | | | the flash, the light output from the cameras flash |
| minimum amount of enhancement. For example, | | | | unit will decrease. |
| you should not have to remove unwanted | | | | By using all of above tips when photographing |
| objects from the photo. | | | | jewelry and small craft items, you should see an |
| 8.Read the camera owner's manual and become | | | | immediate improvement in your photography. |
| familiar with all of the features of your camera. | | | | You may want to print this tip sheet so that you |
| For example, some of the things that you should | | | | can refer to it when you are doing photography. |