Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

December 03, 2014

Practising Photography ..

Hi Everybody,

A few days ago I told you that one of the workshops we had done at the  Spellbinders Ambassadors Retreat was on photography.  I was very interested because up until then I had  simply used a little point and shoot type camera that was not expensive.

But since then I have come home and bought myself a better camera.  I am now snapping away to practise taking photos that are more interesting for the viewer.

This involves "staging"  a photo to get the best angle and light and using props to dress the area in a pleasing way.  All very new to me but very exciting ideas just the same.



 So these are my very first attempts at presenting a card in the best possible way,  with the cameras focus on the card itself and the background out of focus to enhance it.


 The dies used are not the subject for this test just the photo ... so ... What do you think about my practise shots???


The size is also not a problem as I can make them the size I want within the blog post.  It's just the idea of presenting a better shot of the subject I am asking you about and the way they have been set out to please your eye.  

I will keep on practising and I will get better

Don't forget that this is the third day of the   Spellbinders Sneak Peak and Give Away   and to be in with a chance to win the dies on Designers Blog post you need to add your name and submit it.

Here is the entry form  to win the Imperial Square that I featured and you won't be able to buy this until next spring 2015

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

48 comments:

  1. Bang on target I'd say :0) xx

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  2. Hi Christina, the set looks very nice is does show off the cards,
    but it's the cards that are the star of the show.

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  3. Your photography looks good,I like the way the card shows up as the focal image.Well done!

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  4. Your photography is great and really show off your cards beautifully Christina

    Anne

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  5. Honestly Christina, your cards are so beautifully decorated and colorful, that I think that if you are going to do these types of photos, that your backgrounds need to be less "busy" and in more neutral colors..... just my opinion, but for me, the colorful background you used detracts attention from your wonderful cards, instead of enhancing them.

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  6. Good morning Christina,
    I love your "shots" I like the idea of "staging" ... however I feel it sometimes "takes" from the subject. Your stagings are brilliant, I do feel the first one takes from the beautiful offering.
    Your cards are so beautiful today, love them all.
    Have a great day "playing" being Card Making or Photography!!

    Patricia xx

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  7. Hi Christina, I think your doing a marvellous job with your new camera. The focus just on the cards looks very professional. Well done, regards Janelle x

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  8. If there is one thing I just cannot do, it is take a good photo! I think the top photo is a little too "busy" in the background. The middle photo is not quite right but I can't put my finger on why. You have certainly got it right in the bottom photo. With the background blurred but recognisable the card becomes the main focus. Beautiful.

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  9. Hi Christina

    Very good photography and stageing. Again you provide ideas for your followers.

    The cards are lovely too.

    Denise X

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  10. Morning Christina,
    Looks like you are getting to grips with your new camera the photos are lovely as are the cards.
    Lydia
    X
    X

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  11. Presentation looks good to me x

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  12. I don't know anything about Photography Christina, i have noticed looking at cards peeps are showing that some are next to an object / prop , your photo's have always looked good to me ,however it all sounds very interesting and i am sure you will perfect what it is you you are aiming for .
    By the way your cards are beautiful as always .
    Have a good day and stay warm . Brrrrrrr it's a cold one .
    Elaine H X

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  13. I always take pictures of my cards, but just for me, not to post on a blog. Photographing them is a struggle sometimes. Just my personal preference but I liked the way you photographed your card before, when it was just the card in the picture and nothing in the background. I find that distracting to my eyes.

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  14. Hi Christina i like what i see so far ,nice idea ,
    keep up the good work .
    Marion H

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  15. well your photos look great to me. you did a good job. i think the cards are awesome too.

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  16. Hi Christina,
    Pictures look great but I think the third one is the best as your eye goes straight to the card. The others are all in the same focus so your eye travels between each item.
    Hope this helps
    Janice W

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  17. Dear Christina, you do make me smile, your photography is very good. The second photo to me is equal to any other set in magazines. Hope that helps.
    X Ros

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  18. Hi Christina
    As always another set of stunning cards today. I don't actually think you need to practice any more as these shots are fabulous. Just love love love it. I keep hoping your film crew pull out my name. Fingers crossed.

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  19. Good morning Christina Your cards always look lovely no matter how you photo graph them but todays are really stunning. Beryl xx

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  20. that looks great Christina, your cards look lovely . So nice to learn a new skill, isn't it
    hugs Lyn xxx

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  21. Hi Christina
    All the cards are lovely but I tend to agree sometimes the background detracts from the focus on the card but you are doing well
    Love and best wishes
    Jenny C xxx

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  22. beautiful photos! you're doing a great job so far!!

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  23. I think your taking pictures of your lovely cards is much brighter and the background adds so much to your card...Your doing great with the camera..
    Well done Christina

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  24. Have to agree with the others, these shots are as stunning as your cards, such a talented lady, thank you again for sharing x

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  25. Looks like you have mastered it already Christina, these photos are beautiful....love the idea of background props.....luv Ursula xx

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  26. Good Morning Christina. It's always great to try something new and fresh. All the cards are beautiful. I believe you achieved more of what you described you wanted in your third shot. The background is out of focus, but still lovely and your card shines. I have to admit though…. I really like the way you originally displayed your cards. Why mess with perfection? And as "Dear Abby" (columnist) always says, "If it "aint" broke, don't fix it". Enjoy your day.

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  27. Hi Christina,
    I'm assuming you want honesty, so, the props in the backgrounds of the first two are way too close and busy, and the third photograph is lovely but the card is turned a bit too much. You can find some really good tips on angling your card here: http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/blog/photography-tips-tricks/
    Hope this helps! I wish I could find a place in my house where I could get a good set up with strong natural light, but I'll have to buy a light-box. Until then, I try to take my card photos outside (when it's not raining ;( ), where at least the light is good.
    Thanks for sharing your lovely work!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for this link and the article is very useful. I will be using the tips given to improve my photo taking and hopefully you will see the results

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  28. Hi Christina. I just love your beautiful cards and love to view them up-close-and-personal. I often click on the picture to enlarge them so that I can see all the intricate beauty of the dies etc. These are very good photos in themselves, but like others in the comments today, I prefer to see your cards closer. Perhaps you could take them the same way as you always did, but just add a few things behind them that match and complement the card?

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  29. Hi Christina,
    Your cards are so beautiful and need to be the focal point of your photographs. I think to show them off best, your background and your props need to be less. Keep your colors and objects simpler so that your cards stand out. For example, in the third card, having the huge bouquet of roses was too much for your card which also had several flowers. I think the bouquet distracted from the card.I hope that you take these comments in the spirit intended, they are not meant to be critical but helpful so that your beautiful cards are the stars. Keep practicing and you will have it in no time.

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  30. Hi Christina, I agree with Shona that the first two as gorgeous as they are have too much.The bottom one is nearly there, just need to be turned slightly so one can see and read the sentence clearly You cards are so beautiful Christina ,they don't need any props!
    Enjoy your new camera and have fun,
    Maria x

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  31. That old saying Less Is More would be my take on how to improve your photos of your cards. While the first picture is lovely, it would be better in two photos as my eye went straight for the pink manaquin, and I could not read your sentiment on your card. Card number two was better, but I was trying to figure out what the item on the right was, but was able to read the sentiment. Card three was the best of the bunch, however, still had a bit of trouble reading the sentiment...had to study it a bit. A little extra goes a long way when staging your card to,photograph and after all, that is what we in Cyberland want to see....your cards are gorgeous and need VERY little extra to show them off!!!! This is not meant to criticize, but to explain what I see when I look at your examples....as you requested.
    Hugs,
    Jan

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  32. All the cards are pretty. I agree with most of the other comments. I think the 3rd photo is the best but definitely the card should be the star and the backgrounds not so intrusive. I think you have probably got better lighting than previously but overall what you did before showed the cards very well.

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  33. May I be honest? I think the background particularly in the first picture is too busy and competes with the card, not only that you are using too many different colors. The last picture here is the most successful one to my eye, although still a tad busy. If the viewer is wishing she could see the background better because of the blur, then you have lost her! She is not seeing the card any more. Good start though, I think. Julie

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  34. Oh Christina I felt your beautiful cards got lost in the background especially in the first shot. Not that I am an expert on photography.
    Hugs
    Margaret M

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  35. Hi Christina,
    I don't have time to read all the comments, just the one above mine (Beverly Fuchs) and everything she says makes complete sense to me. Thinking of some other blogs I follow mostly they appear to drape some subdued fabric in the background so the viewers eye is drawn straight to the item being displayed.
    Actually I prefer how you have been showing your pretty cards! Congratulations on taking on a new interest by the way.

    Mary Mac x

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  36. Hi Christina,
    I love your cards and I have learned a lot from you .Sometimes the 'props' can detract from the subject. Your cards are so lovely they don't need anything else. I echo the comments of Beverley Fuchs

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  37. Lovely cards Christina but, in my opinion, a bit overwhelmed with the props. Less is more I think. Your cards are so beautiful that they can speak for themselves. Pat x

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  38. Great photos Christina but remember you are on a learning curve but doing really well enjoy your new camera, fabulous cards love them all
    Hugs
    Margaret corgi owner

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  39. I like the last photo best...with everything in the background and the focus on the card up front. Lightings good. Maybe a tad closer shot.

    Love your work...whatever it is your doing.

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  40. Like one of the other comments said your cards are the stars and I never noticed any lack before but am glad you are excited about learning more about photography to, as you say, show your cards off better

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  41. Christina I love your cards full stop! Although you have presented the 3 above very well The backgrounds for me are distracting and take the focus off the card. The photos themselves are well done but it depends on why the photos are being taken, for the artistry of the card or for a pretty picture. Please don't be offended!

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  42. Hi Christina, I don't know much about photography, the cards all look beautiful the way they have been taken.
    Kind regards
    Anne owens(Liverpool)

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  43. I'm loving these new photos, Christina! Very beautifully done!

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  44. The photos look great, especially the one with the background that is out of focus. But in my humble opinion they were great before.
    Di x

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  45. I am not expert on the technicalities of photo taking, but for me any shots that show the detail are great. These photos are nice and sharp, and if I had to choose an angle and frame up it would be the third one 'Live Every Moment', with the background out of focus there is nothing to detract from the detail of card.

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  46. Nope! While the photos are alright, all that extra stuff doesn't work for me. Your cards are so pretty you don't need all that stuff to distract from them. When I see cards displayed like this I have to wonder what the purpose is, the junk in the background or the card, or it simply an attempt at a still life photo. I'm not interested in seeing stuff that has nothing to do with the card. The first pic has way too much stuff, the second the colors clash and the third there are way too many flowers that detract from the card. This is one of my pet peeves and is why I have stopped following some cardmakers blogs. Just show your beautiful cards-they don't need help!

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  47. Beautiful cards Christina, I always enjoy your cards and learn so much, thank you.
    Catherine Frawley

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