1. Chose your camera wisely. This is important. Webcams, cell phones, toy cameras and the like all take really sucky pictures. (Some cell phone cameras are passable, but they're in the low end range.) You'll want a camera that is measured in megapixels, not "VGA resolution". The worst are those $14 keychains / toys at Wal-Mart. The images they take are so low resolution and so highly compressed they're just not worth it for taking pictures. You can find decent cameras for under a hundred bucks. You don't een need anything fancy, but I wouldn't go under 3 megapixels. (You couldn't even print an acceptable 8x10 with one of those...)
2. Get a tripod. This is very important. With both the camera and subject stationary, you will get the best picture possible. Tripods don't have to be expensive at all. Believe it or not, the screw mount standard tripods use hasn't changed in decades. (The one I use is older than me, but it still holds down my camera just fine.) You can just go to the thrift store and buy an old camera tripod. Just make sure the mounting screw isn't corroded, the legs lock tightly, and none of the articulation mechanisms are jammed or broken.
If you don't want to get a tripod, try to anchor yourself when you take pictures. Rest your elbows on the table, put the camera on some books... Just do whatever you can to keep the camera from moving.
Oh and if you are holding the camera in your hands, don't push the trigger button too hard. That can cause the whole camera to move enough to screw up a picture.
3. Backdrop, backdrop, backdrop! This is one of the cheapest things to do. You will need an old, solid colored sheet and a pizza box. Open the pizza box and prop the back open so it's slightly off vertical, leaning toward the back. (You could use a pile of books.) Unfold the blanket enough to cover the back and floor of the box. (Think think "covering a chair with a blanket".) Now either use an overhead light or a table lamp to illuminate it. Now you have a simple "set" for taking pictures. You could use plastic or white cardboard, but this is much cheaper.
4. Make sure the subject is lit. Use overhead lighting or desk lamps to cast light onto your subject (probably a portable). Try to position the lights and object so you don't get glare off shiny parts.
5. Focus. Most cameras will automatically focus for you. This is good, but unfortunately autofocus has the IQ of a stump. Zoom into the object when you can, so the dumb autofocus doesn't try to focus on the TV way across the room. Having a solid background (such as the sheet set I told you about earlier) will greatly increase the chance of something good happening with autofocus.
That's it. Putting a little extra effort into your picture-taking can make your pictures look like this:
<a href="http://bicostp.portablesofdoom.org/proj ... G_5092.JPG" target="_blank"><img src="http://bicostp.portablesofdoom.org/proj ... b.jpg"></a>
Click for a bigger version
Instead of like this:
<img src="http://bicostp.portablesofdoom.org/proj ... 2_suck.jpg">
Simulated awfulness used.
(Macro mode was not used in that shot.)
If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
A.F.A.Q. (Anticipated Frequently Asked Questions):
- Why did you make this?
Because I was tired of people asking for opinions and help with blurry, dark pictures.
- But my camera sucks...
No. Unless you're using a webcam, phone, or digital camera under 2 megapixels you're wrong. Cameras these days don't suck all by themselves. I hate to say it but it's the operator's fault. It just takes practice!
- OK smart guy what's YOUR camera? Some fancy 32 megapixel thing?
Nope. It's a Canon PowerShot A80. 3.5 megapixels. CompactFlash storage. No fancy lenses or anything.
SAY ALLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND!!!i finally used google!!
