Photography

[Dumper]

Hi all

anyone interested in a tutorial for bonsai photography???
please let me know and i will start a tutorial on it with a point and shoot camera(simply because most ppl have a point and shoot camera instead of a d/slr)

John

[Amanda]

I reckon that'd be wonderful, John. I've a basic 12mp Kodak on the way - bit better than an iPhone cam so I would definitely benefit from a tute!

[Dumper]

well one is good enough!

i'll post it up soon.

John

[Glenda]

i would also be interested, John.

Glenda

[Gerard]

Thanks Dumper,
Not a lot for me to offer except that I would read your contributions with great interest.

[Jester]

Hi Johnno, sounds great mate. Believe it or not I just found a Canon Ixus 100 and I can't believe the functionality on it. You may be able to help me out with some rather detailed questions.

John

[Dumper]

ok here goes.

things that are required

- 1 or 2 linen. old bedsheets or you can buy in lincraft/spotlight... 1 linen if you wan you backdrop and base to be the same colour. 2 linen for 2 different colour
- 2 to 3 table lamp (prefer white light. it just make llife easier)
- 2 high chairs
- tripod and a camera.(im using a canon ixus 980IS 14.7 megapixel)

Location
somewhere dark eg.. garage. bedroom(with all the windows blinded)
the reason why i choose somewhere dark is because i can adjust my light to point where i want and cast the type of shadows

Setting up diagram

plan.jpg

setting02.jpg

setting03.jpg

[Dumper]

Ok. as you can see.

the setup is just basic. nothing fancy like a studio. but. this way it is cheap and fun.

i do not have a bonsai stand so i just use some left over wood from the deck... a rock as an accent. and the main subject is the chinese elm.

[Dumper]

Here the photo i took just by automatic setting without being edit.(remember it was dark in the garage)

automatic01.jpg

i wont go into manual setting at the moment cause that will be too complete for most ppl. I'll go into the manual setting next time in another photography tut if this goes well

[Dumper]

Now here's the edited version(very roughly)

automatic_edited.jpg

-----------------------------
EDITING IN PHOTOSHOP
-----------------------------

First from the original shot. the picture was lack of contrast and a little too bright for my liking
so i add a bit more contrast and decrease the brightness

this is under image -> adjustments -> Brightness/Contrast
adjust the brightness and contrast to your liking and click ok

after doing so.
i wanted to bring out the colour of the leaves. So i adjusted the saturation which is:
image -> adjustments -> Hue/Saturation..
under the hue/saturation dialog box. Click on the "edit:" dropbox and change from "master" to "green"
now. drag the saturation to the right until you are happy then click ok

now.
the background is abit too dull so i added some black on it
go to
image -> adjustment -> levels..
you will see this

levels.jpg

here simply drag the dark tone to the right. slowly. (this will darken anything that is dark

drag the mid tone to the left. slowly (this will make the normal colour brighter)

we leave the highlight alone. highlight basically

[Dumper]

So here is a tut on bonsai photography with point and shoot camera with automatic setting.

forgot to mention. turn off the flash on the camera.

any question dont hesitate to ask

John

[Amanda]

John, brilliant and easy to follow tute, thank you When my cam arrives I am going to come back and share my results

THANK YOU

[Dumper]

Cheers Anja.

Do share your photos once you get your cam.
or if you find a new method to take a better photo.

i should change the topic to photography using point and shoot

[rayfam5]

great information here,
I have a lumux and of course most cameras dont have a camera stand which poses a problem. any suggestions on a compramised camera stand.
would a flood light be a good type of light to use?
thanks dumper.

[rayfam5]

another question,
Dumper: - are you into photography and if so would you ever consider giving a talk on photography at our Bonsai club. I am a member of a newish Bonsai club called the Yarra Valley Bonsai Society based at Mt Evelyn. Just thinking hed about ideas for presentations.
cheers

peter