Recently, a member asked me about my photos, so I thought I would post some info on how I took them...
Not a guide to taking photos, just a look into how I take mine...
I hope that it is helpful:
It's taken me several years of messing with camera settings to get them this good.
I always wonder if anyone appreciates how good they are, at least I think they are...
I take a lot of shots, to get just one that's perfect. Sometimes 30 or 40!
The camera is a Canon Powershot SD750 7.1 Megapixel. Purchased in 2007.
I guess the first thing I can tell you is my camera settings for the photos:
For example, this one of Candi:
![Image](https://dollalbum.com/dollgallery/albums/userpics/13110/IMG_2532_%281024x768%29.jpg)
You notice that the fine detail of the fabric in her top is clearly visible.
Of course the shadows play a big role in this shot, but they were just there, nothing I manipulated.
Here are the settings I used for that photo:
Light source: sunlight, no flash!
Camera:
Shooting Mode = Manual
Metering Mode = Evaluative
ISO = 80 (low ISO setting)
F = 2.8 (I don't adjust that, it's automatic)
Exposure Time = 0.5 seconds (also automatic)
White Balance = Sunlight
My Colors Modification = Vivid (Canon option, don't know if others have this)
Exposure Compensation = +/- Zero
Size = Large 3072 x 2304, Normal
Focus = Normal (I think, sometimes I use the Macro setting)
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In this photo of Kimberly:
![Image](https://dollalbum.com/dollgallery/albums/userpics/13110/normal_IMG_2458_RM%281024x768%29.jpg)
Light source: one dim incandescent lamp behind her and one bright one above and to her left. No flash.
Camera:
Shooting Mode = Manual
Metering Mode = Evaluative
ISO = 80 (low ISO setting)
F = 2.8 (I don't adjust that, it's automatic)
Exposure Time = 1 second (also automatic)
White Balance = Tungsten
My Colors Modification = Vivid
Exposure Compensation = + 2
Size = Large 3072 x 2304, Normal
Focus = Macro
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I purposely use the low ISO setting to allow long exposure times. Some are up to and including 1 second.
This seems to give me much better photos with some real clarity.
The white balance is really important for colors to be accurate.
When using the flash I use a white balance setting of 'Tungsten' lamp.
I use my tripod to steady the camera and set it for a 2 second delay to allow time for me to get away from it!
This way I get nice clear photos with no blur.
I almost never use fancy lighting or other bothersome things.
I seem to get the best photos with sunlight as a light source.
Nice, full spectrum, bright light!
You'll notice that I am using the Large setting for the image size.
Normally this is used for printing posters, etc. and is not necessary for regular pictures.
That accounts for the huge Kilobyte sizes of my pics.
I figured that the bigger the image, the better the quality. Well I guess that isn't necessarily so.
Actually, I take my photos and then RE-SIZE them to the 1024x 768 size (or smaller) for posting on TDF and TDA.
This, at least, gives me a smaller KB size.
I'm using up my allotted space in the Doll Album too fast, so now I've started to set the camera for a smaller image size.
Honestly, I don't know what the secret is, I just try different things until I get the results I want.
I hope this helps!
These are just two examples... I can detail more if anyone is interested.
Guitar Boy
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)