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Gordon, I'm open to any photo tips you're willing to share. I use a point and shoot Canon (PowerShotSX115 IS) that's probably over 20 years old, and I know from experience that indoor flash photos are usually pretty awful. I've sometimes had decent results setting up a "white corner" made of printer paper (or large styrofoam take-out cartons) and try to rig up a light and position my knife in the "corner" so I get indirect lighting of the knife by reflecting off the white background. But I'm certainly not consistently pleased with the results of that approach.
- GT
Lighting for photos is a deep enough subject there are books dedicated to the task. I still have a huge amount to learn about lighting, especially controlling unwanted light & reflections. And I'm still a piker compared to some here on the board. Keeping it as simple as possible...
Your older camera has a limited dynamic range and poor low-light performance compared to current cameras. Doesn't mean you can't get decent photos. 9mp is great for web use IMHO. Good light and learning to get proper exposures will allow you to get the best images out of that camera. A tripod will also help. And learning how to set and use the release timer so vibrations from pressing the shutter have time to settle before the photo is snapped will help quite a bit with sharpness. Learning how to match your camera's white balance to the lighting you're using will ensure more correct colors. Learning when to use evaluative, center-weighted or spot metering and being able to adjust the exposure can give better results than auto.
Point lights like a bare bulb cast harsher shadows than a broader light source. They also cause strong specular reflections on shiny objects.
Distance between light source and subject affects brightness, lighting from the side can cause one side of the image to look dimmer (inverse square law applies to lighting).
Natural light is good. Taking a photo by a window on an overcast day and using a reflector to bounce light back to the subject can make for some nice even lighting. Opaque window coverings can cut harshness of window light. Blinds can be used to create creative lighting.
Bounce light is much less harsh than direct light from a bare bulb. Bouncing light off a white ceiling down onto your subject for tabletop stuff works, but it takes quite a bit of light.
You can spend little or no cash and get better lighting. Poster board and foam core board can be used as back drops, sweeps, reflectors and light blocks to help control unwanted reflections. Simple and inexpensive light boxes can be built using a cardboard box and tissue paper/ opaque materials, lit by 2 or 3 desk lamps and using a strip of poster board for a sweep. These can produce decent product shots. Plenty of photos and 'tube vids on making a DIY light box. Here's one:
Don't be afraid to use everyday stuff as light, backdrops, surfaces, and props. I've taken shots of things on a glossy white paint washing machine, crinkle black paint microwave, floor tiles.... Also taken shots with a black poster board sweep and an LCD computer monitor as the only light source in the room at night. Until I splurged for a couple of proper lights, stands and softboxes a few years ago I used everything from natural light to flashlights, desk lamps and aluminum dish work lights with some cheap light modifiers. Currently have a
way too cluttered space and am limited to one light and a small surface for photos.
Probably already a bit much for this thread. Some good advise over in Photo Discussion, especially the Quick Setup Tips thread:
https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/photography-discussion.847/
Without clips they can slip out of one’s pocket.
