taking pics???

[radiantquest]

i have tried and failed miserably at taking pictures. i have a sony cybershot, its not the best, but not the worst either. it should be taking way better pictures than it is. it seems like the flash and zoom both are against me!!!

the way it works is that i am supposed to hold the button down half way for it to zoom and the fully push for a pic. well it isnt focusing at all!! then the flash makes all my diamonds look like white puffs!!! what is the deal???

i have heard that you are suppoed to use the macro setting (the flower shape) but that does nothing!!

am very frustrated, notice all the !!!!''s. is there help for me or am i destined for crap pictures?

 

[Catmom]

Hi Radiant! I have a Cannon now but used to have a Sony. When I take macro shots of jewelry I make sure that the flash is turned off and I don''t use the zoom with the macro. I''ve always had good luck just bringing the camera in close. After a while you''ll get a feel for how close you can bring the camera. Also, it may take many shots before you actually get a decent one.

 

[omieluv]

I agree with tips catmom provided. Does your camera have image stabilization (IS)? If not, you might have to prop your hands/arms on something solid to take a clear picture. My camera is an old Fugi and does not have IS, so I often have to contort myself in odd ways to get a clear picture. Also, I pretty much can forget about actually holding the ring in my hand, so I have to put the ring on and place my hand on a stable surface. With my other hand, I have to ensure my eblow is firmly planted to minimize camera jiggle. After about 50 or so shots, I manage to find 3 that turn out just ok.

 

[denverboy]

ok sorry i didnt read this thread fully, but if you haven't tried it already - put the camera on 10 second delay, and set it on a table or steady surface and put the diamond in front somewhere (also resting on the table or steady surface) then take the photo without a flash. Anytime you're not using a flash and if the lighting is fairly low (compared to sunlit situations), any slight movement will result in a blurry image.

if it isnt focusing, start by keeping the ring farrrr away, then slowly get closer and closer. at some point it may lose focus though, but you can always take a "far away" photo then crop it later on and if you have 2 megapixel or higher resolution it will be big enough hopefully

 

[omieluv]

Date: 8/6/2008 1:41:23 PM
Author: denverboy
ok sorry i didnt read this thread fully, but if you haven''t tried it already - put the camera on 10 second delay, and set it on a table or steady surface and put the diamond in front somewhere (also resting on the table or steady surface) then take the photo without a flash. Anytime you''re not using a flash and if the lighting is fairly low (compared to sunlit situations), any slight movement will result in a blurry image.

if it isnt focusing, start by keeping the ring farrrr away, then slowly get closer and closer. at some point it may lose focus though, but you can always take a ''far away'' photo then crop it later on and if you have 2 megapixel or higher resolution it will be big enough hopefully

Interesting, I will have to try that!

 

[CharmCity]

Your camera might not have a macro setting that will allow you to get as close as you''d like. Try taking it as closely as possible on a high resolution setting. Don''t worry about zooming in, just check that the ring is in focus. After you''ve downloaded the picture, crop it in any image editing program!