Creative Quilt Girl » Photography

Armed and Dangerous

Rachel — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:51:11 +0000

Now that I’ve figured out the whole white balance thing on my camera, I’ve decided to see what else I don’t know.

The library has a ton books on Photography at the library. Based on recommendations from friends and Amazon, I’m starting with these books.

Before you know it I’ll convince myself that I NEED a DSLR camera to do what I want. Then I’ll need to convince Ross that a DSLR will solve all my problems.

The Right Balance

Rachel — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 04:18:01 +0000

Since I’ve got my digital camera three years ago, I’ve been on a quest to get the right light. I know I’m not on this quest alone. I’ve read my fair share of blog entries about taking good photos. In my quest I’ve bought good lights and made a light light. Yet I’m still unsatisfied with my results. Last week, I started to read Rick Sammon’s Complete Guide to Digital Photography. While the book is geared towards Digital SLR camera, I’m still able to use some of the tips and tricks with my point-and-shoot camera.

Today’s break through moment came when I changed the white balance setting on my camera from Auto to Incandescent.

The photo on the left is with the white balance set to Incandescent, and the photo on the right is with the white balance set to Auto. I can’t believe such a small change could make such a huge difference. The left-hand photo is very close to what my eye sees. I have hope for my future pictures. They might actually be color accurate.

Now, I’m ready to play a little more. I need to buy a better tripod and fix my light box. Yes the cats have already destroyed some of the tissue paper on my white box.

Mittens for Spring

Rachel — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:13:31 +0000

Just as I begin to feel Spring in the air, I finish my Cable & Bobble Mittens to match my hat.

Verdict? I like them. At first I thought they’d be too big. I have small hands. I believe the pattern is written for the average adult hand. I was saved by a Freudian slip. I started the cuff with US 5 needles. I planned switching to US 6 after the cuff, and well… I forgot. Lucky me! The mittens fit.

Now I just need to mitten like weather. I’m sure there will be few more cold days this Winter season.

Side note: I’m working on my macro photography skills. While I’m not in love with this picture, I do believe the colors are fairly true to life. I just wish the white was brighter. Does anybody have any bright ideas?

Perfect Lightening

Rachel — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 05:23:21 +0000

Well at least I’m working on better lightening. This weekend I made myself a macro light studio.

I can cheerfully say that I made this light studio with stuff that I had in my house. In fact, I have a few more boxes this size in case the cats shred this to pieces. Following the directions from Strobist, I made the light studio from 1 corrugated box (approx. 12″ x 16″ x 12″), tissue paper, tracing paper, and double-sided tape. That’s it.

Does it work? Well you be the judge. Here’s a shot of my recently completed knit hat.

Not bad in my opinion. The color is a little off. I think it should be a bit brighter.I’m going to play with this some more. I need to try using black poster board to stop the reflection, and I want to give shiny tile a try as well.