Janet Kaiser on tue 20 jul 99
Greetings from The International Potters Path in wet and windy Wales.
We are still having PC problems, so promises of images of tiles that have
already arrived for The Path have not yet materialised. I am also having
difficulty using an Agfa 1280 to take photos of the tiles as well as the =
great
ceramics The CoA currently has on exhibition.
Is there any Clay Arter who has solved the problem of reflection using a =
digital
camera? Any tips you can give? No matter what I do, the flash creates
reflection... even on what appears matt or semi-matt to the human eye. Any
suggestions how to solve the problem?
Many thanks
Janet Kaiser
The Chapel of Art, Criccieth LL52 0EA, GB-Wales
Home of The International Potters Path
WEBSITE: http://www.the-coa.org.uk =2A=2ANEW=2A=2A
EMAIL: postbox=40the-coa.org.uk
Michael McDowell on wed 21 jul 99
Janet Kaiser asked:
"Is there any Clay Arter who has solved the problem of reflection using a
digital
camera? Any tips you can give? No matter what I do, the flash creates
reflection... even on what appears matt or semi-matt to the human eye. Any
suggestions how to solve the problem?"
Janet, I've been beginning to work with digital photography for my web site. I
wouldn't say I've 'solved' the problem, but it is certainly of more manageable
proportion because I have shut off the automatic flash. I'm using a Sony
Mavica. I'm not sure how to accomplish that with an Afga 1280, but if it's not
possible, then I think you want a new camera. Afga is a pretty good name in
digital cameras, so check your manual. You can see what I'm getting for
results with no flash, and only such indirect natural light as is coming in my
barn. Just check out my web page and follow the link to my "Pots for Sale"
page. All the photos there were done this way. Mind you, I'd rather supplement
the light with some sort of softbox as was discussed a while back on Clayart,
and a tripod for the camera would be nice too. What I've got there is not bad
for a start.
Michael McDowell
Whatcom County, WA USA
mmpots@memes.com
http://www2.memes.com/mmpots
Lori Lynn & Robert J on thu 22 jul 99
Janet,
Michael had some great ideas but if you can not turn off the auto flash on
your camera don't run out and buy a new one just tape over the flash with
some heavy tape such as electrical. It works just fine been doing it for
years and it works just fine.
Lori Lynn Rejzek
In the AZ desert, where the hot sun meets the cool Colorado.
David Hewitt on thu 22 jul 99
Hello Janet,
I do have some experience with a digital camera. I bought a Philips
ESP80 earlier this year.
I have found, from the limited experience that I have had in this time,
that it is best to avoid using the flash on pots and test pieces, not
only for the reason you give, but also for obtaining a more true
(accurate) colour on the resultant image. But then I don't have any
sophisticated lighting arrangements. Is it possible for you to find a
location that has enough natural light and so avoid the need to use
flash? I find, with my digital camera, that this is not difficult. In
fact I would say it can take good pictures in relatively poor lighting.
As one who attended the International Potters Festival I would be
interest in seeing what you have to show.
David
In message , Janet Kaiser
writes
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Greetings from The International Potters Path in wet and windy Wales.
>
>We are still having PC problems, so promises of images of tiles that have
>already arrived for The Path have not yet materialised. I am also having
>difficulty using an Agfa 1280 to take photos of the tiles as well as the =
>great
>ceramics The CoA currently has on exhibition.
>
>Is there any Clay Arter who has solved the problem of reflection using a =
>digital
>camera? Any tips you can give? No matter what I do, the flash creates
>reflection... even on what appears matt or semi-matt to the human eye. Any
>suggestions how to solve the problem?
>
>Many thanks
>
>Janet Kaiser
>The Chapel of Art, Criccieth LL52 0EA, GB-Wales
>Home of The International Potters Path
>WEBSITE: http://www.the-coa.org.uk =2A=2ANEW=2A=2A
>EMAIL: postbox=40the-coa.org.uk
>
--
David Hewitt
David Hewitt Pottery ,
7 Fairfield Road, Caerleon, Newport,
South Wales, NP18 3DQ, UK. Tel:- +44 (0) 1633 420647
FAX:- +44 (0) 870 1617274
Own Web site http://www.dhpot.demon.co.uk
IMC Web site http://digitalfire.com/education/people/hewitt.htm
Janice Alexander on thu 22 jul 99
The problem with the flash ruining the photos could probably be solved with
aiming the camera slightly above or below where you are presently shooting
the photos.
You get the flash problem when you the camera is pointed directly in front of
the object being photographed. The flash bounces the light right back into
the camera lens. So holding the camera either above or below, or even a
little to the right or the left would cause the light of the flash to bounce
at a different angle and not into the camera lens.
Hope this helps. I have used a digital camera for several years now. But the
problem isn't the fact that it is digital, the flash thing can occur with any
camera that is aimed directly in from of the subject.
Janice in NC
Janet Kaiser on fri 23 jul 99
Hi Clay Arters!
Many thanks for your kind mail and response to my questions. This is a
"brief" synopsis of what has been arriving off-list. (My "brief" always ends
up long... my apologies)
Lots of helpful Clay Arters have put me onto SCANNING for tiles and if you
look at our web site http://www.the-coa.org.uk the one tile I managed to
scan is to be seen (Tinus Boshoff, South Africa). That was before the
scanner decided it is not talking to me... Have had lots of problems with
the PC this year and need to reinstall all the programmes and drivers, but
there are not enough hours in the day!!
A good tip was to put clear plastic on the scanner to protect it from
scratching... This brings the idea to mind that a dull or matt sheet may
solve the glare problem that even this method obviously has with very high
shine... Will have to look into that.
Carla Goldberg's comments on water helped a lot... Loads of people telling
me this and that, so I was beginning to think it was stupid old me! Glare is
a problem with anything shiny on a digital. No Polaroid or any other lens
fittings available as far as I know.
The problem with the "automatic" flash was solved by several Clay Arters...
just stick tape over the offending orifice. Easy when you know how, eh?
A helpful e-mail from Japan... Look at the MacPower website where there is a
load of "professional standard" information on using a digital camera. Will
have to surf to find the address of this ANSII site, but pass this info on
now for those interested.
Thanks to everyone who suggested a "dulling spray" to help with the tiles
and ceramics. This I understand to be a matt fixative spray like artists use
on charcoal drawings etc. Will give it a go once I have driven the hour to
the nearest art shop... All you guys who live in cities have an advantage
over us red-necks who live out in the wilds. :-)
I will actually not have time to manipulate any of the images... We
hopefully will have 5000 tiles by the end of the year (come on everyone -
get those rolling pins out!). They are to be photographed/scanned once for
the web site and then again after they are laid in The Path (to send to the
maker). That is a total of at least 10,000 images!!
YES, a huge project and only mad people like Eckhard and I would attempt
it!! But we are asking people to make a tile and send/mail it to The Path at
their expense, so we feel it is only fair everyone gets something back at
the end of the day!
I have just been looking out the window... Three porpoise frolicking in the
silver pathway reflected from the moon across the bay. There are
compensations in living in a poor rural area that has high rainfall and
unemployment! Eckhard and I earn about 50 cents an hour but would not change
things for the world!
Will let you all know if I crack the glare problem with the digital... In
the meantime, thanks for your input everyone! Keep those tips and ideas
coming! And any 10 x 10 cm tiles you happen to be working on for THE
INTERNATIONAL POTTERS PATH!!
Salaams
Janet Kaiser
The Chapel of Art, Criccieth, GB-Wales
Home of The International Potters Path
WEB: http://www.the-coa.org.uk
EMAIL: postbox@the-coa.org.uk
Ted & Terry Meier on fri 23 jul 99
Wait for an overcast day...
Take your pots outside...
Turn off your flash...
Perfect lighting...
Drape a complimentary colored cloth on a table and then up against a wall on
the back side to create a seemless background....
Very nice pictures...
Ted...
----- Original Message -----
From: David Hewitt
To:
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 1999 12:23 PM
Subject: Re: Digital camera and tile/pot/ceramics images for web page
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hello Janet,
> I do have some experience with a digital camera. I bought a Philips
> ESP80 earlier this year.
> I have found, from the limited experience that I have had in this time,
> that it is best to avoid using the flash on pots and test pieces, not
> only for the reason you give, but also for obtaining a more true
> (accurate) colour on the resultant image. But then I don't have any
> sophisticated lighting arrangements. Is it possible for you to find a
> location that has enough natural light and so avoid the need to use
> flash? I find, with my digital camera, that this is not difficult. In
> fact I would say it can take good pictures in relatively poor lighting.
> As one who attended the International Potters Festival I would be
> interest in seeing what you have to show.
> David
> In message , Janet Kaiser
> writes
> >----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> >Greetings from The International Potters Path in wet and windy Wales.
> >
> >We are still having PC problems, so promises of images of tiles that have
> >already arrived for The Path have not yet materialised. I am also having
> >difficulty using an Agfa 1280 to take photos of the tiles as well as the
=
> >great
> >ceramics The CoA currently has on exhibition.
> >
> >Is there any Clay Arter who has solved the problem of reflection using a
=
> >digital
> >camera? Any tips you can give? No matter what I do, the flash creates
> >reflection... even on what appears matt or semi-matt to the human eye.
Any
> >suggestions how to solve the problem?
> >
> >Many thanks
> >
> >Janet Kaiser
> >The Chapel of Art, Criccieth LL52 0EA, GB-Wales
> >Home of The International Potters Path
> >WEBSITE: http://www.the-coa.org.uk =2A=2ANEW=2A=2A
> >EMAIL: postbox=40the-coa.org.uk
> >
>
> --
> David Hewitt
> David Hewitt Pottery ,
> 7 Fairfield Road, Caerleon, Newport,
> South Wales, NP18 3DQ, UK. Tel:- +44 (0) 1633 420647
> FAX:- +44 (0) 870 1617274
> Own Web site http://www.dhpot.demon.co.uk
> IMC Web site http://digitalfire.com/education/people/hewitt.htm
Frank Cormier on fri 23 jul 99
I use a Photo Deluxe Program that allows me to color over the
reflections. This is a very handy tool when it comes to manipulation of
dig.images.Almost as good as a Griffin Grip Ha, Oh let me not start that
again :) I took all the photos for my web page. I also regularly send photos
across the country by E-mail. (Kodak 210 Plus) I also use two photo flood
bulbs (500w) for lighting, with light diffusers.If anyone is intrested I
could send you a JPG.File of my set up. The system is very simple and
funtional.
Hot,humid and dry in Delaware.Still not as bad as Louisiana.
Frank
Cormier Pottery LLC.
http://cormierpottery.com
NakedClay@aol.com on sat 24 jul 99
Hi photography buffs!
Here's how I take photos of my shiny works, with a 35mm camera. This will
probably work well with digital cameras, too.
I choose to set-up in a well-sunlit room indoors. I cover the window or other
source of sunlight, with a white bed sheet. This diffuses the light
sufficiently, to cut back on glare and harsh shadows that direct sunlight may
create. The sheet will not cut the amount of light entering the room
significantly, however. A pedistal is placed near the window, so that light
hits the object being photographed, and will produce an intelligible image.
Depending on the film used (I use ASA 400 35mm film), and the time of day the
photo is taken (morning light is best, from around 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM), I've
taken high-quality pictures of my work.
To create "fill" light from the un-sunlit direction, make a simple "reflector
panel." Cover a square of plywood (I use a 3' X 3' piece) with aluminum foil,
shiny side facing out. Find a willing assistant to hold the panel in a way
that "takes in" the sunlight from the window that is covered with the sheet
(see above), and aim the reflected light onto the object on the pedistal.
A ceramics instructor who taught me, has this phrase: "experimentation is
next to godliness!" I keep that saying close to my heart when I'm making
ceramic stuff, and practice it daily.
Best wishes for excellent pictures!
Milton NakedClay@AOL.COM
Nude Dude with equally clothing-optional clay, in the Mojave Desert.
James Blossom on wed 28 jul 99
Hi Michelle
Try a polarizing lens (nuetral density.
Veil Gluck,
Mike Blossom
Sleeping Dog Designs
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael McDowell
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Wednesday, July 21, 1999 10:22 AM
Subject: Digital camera and tile/pot/ceramics images for web page
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Janet Kaiser asked:
>"Is there any Clay Arter who has solved the problem of reflection using a
>digital
>camera? Any tips you can give? No matter what I do, the flash creates
>reflection... even on what appears matt or semi-matt to the human eye. Any
>suggestions how to solve the problem?"
>
>Janet, I've been beginning to work with digital photography for my web
site. I
>wouldn't say I've 'solved' the problem, but it is certainly of more
manageable
>proportion because I have shut off the automatic flash. I'm using a Sony
>Mavica. I'm not sure how to accomplish that with an Afga 1280, but if it's
not
>possible, then I think you want a new camera. Afga is a pretty good name in
>digital cameras, so check your manual. You can see what I'm getting for
>results with no flash, and only such indirect natural light as is coming in
my
>barn. Just check out my web page and follow the link to my "Pots for Sale"
>page. All the photos there were done this way. Mind you, I'd rather
supplement
>the light with some sort of softbox as was discussed a while back on
Clayart,
>and a tripod for the camera would be nice too. What I've got there is not
bad
>for a start.
>
>Michael McDowell
>Whatcom County, WA USA
>mmpots@memes.com
>http://www2.memes.com/mmpots
>
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