For those of you that know me, it’s no secret that I enjoy learning about new things, and expanding my knowledge on topics I’m already familiar with. Late last year you might remember I took a collage class which was, to put it bluntly, eh. When I saw that the same facility was offering a photography class, product photography to be exact, I thought it might be fun.
So I plopped down the fairly substantial tuition and registered for the 3 day (1:00-4:00) class, located in Stockbridge about 50 minutes away. The class was held in a large room with very tall ceilings and a fair amount of natural light, but not nearly enough for what we were about to undertake. I noticed the instructor was setting up rather large, professional looking lights and wondered if he was going to show, or at least explain, how to get good results without all the bells and whistles.
Like many of you, I want my photos to look good, but I’m not, nor do I aspire to be, a professional photographer. It’s enough that I’ve invested in a DSLR, three lenses and a tripod, among other things, so I was curious to see what was in store.
Well, the first half hour was spent waiting for him to access his Dropbox account. (He had forgotten his password.) Once he was able to access it, I wish he hadn’t. We spent the next 2+ hours looking at photos and critiquing them. I thought my head would explode. All I kept thinking about was how beautiful it was outside, how I could be working in my garden, kayaking or getting my fingernails pulled out.
We took a short break then things got a bit better. The instructor had asked us to bring in some objects we wanted to photograph, so I brought in this decoupaged bowl I had made a couple of years ago. So here’s the first lesson I want to pass along:
1 – Backgrounds are important!
(and don’t overlook black)
The instructor used grey paper as a background, and we all agreed (there were only five in the class) that it didn’t do the bowl justice. *ALL THE PHOTOS ARE SOOC (straight out of camera) WITH NO EDITING*
For this next photo I increased the exposure a bit and I like this photo a little more, but it’s still not the winner. I find the shadow, which is created by the lighting and almost impossible to eliminate, too distracting.
I thought since the bowl is primarily white, black would be a nice contrast, so the next day the instructor brought in some black boards (black felt would work well too). Much better, don’t you agree?
You can still see a shadow, but it’s not nearly as prominent in this photo as the other two. I’m going back to my original post on this decoupaged bowl and changing my featured image :).
One of the other students in the class was a woman who takes photos of antiques for a living. She brought in these pretty shaker style boxes and while working with them, I discovered lesson number 2:
2 – Details Matter!
There isn’t a huge difference between the next two photos, but you might notice in the first one the boxes aren’t touching. Whether you prefer the first one or the second one doesn’t matter. There’s no right or wrong.
(Unless you like the first one, then you’re wrong).
J/K
Photography is an art, and we quickly learned what one person finds pleasing might irk another. For me, my eye went directly to the open space between the boxes. Although I do prefer the lighting in the first photo, overall the second one is a keeper.
We then went outside and photographed some peonies in soft light, (otherwise known as shade), which is typically considered the best light to shoot in to avoid harsh shadows, but you can also get some interesting effects with direct sun.
So here comes lesson number 3:
3 – Don’t be afraid of direct sun
Sometimes the shadows they create, like the photo below, can add drama. Looking at this photo now I would have moved the fallen petal into the light, but you get the idea.
Just across the street from the school was a church with some beautiful peony bushes. I suggested we take the vase over there and I got this shot, deliberately blurring the background.
Lesson number 4:
4 – Don’t be afraid to get down and dirty
Some fairly interesting shots can be achieved just by sitting on the ground. One of the students said this reminded her of a wedding shot, and I agree.
Another student in the class was a sculptor. Can you guess what this is?
I couldn’t either, and I was right there! It’s cardboard that’s been soaked in water, proof positive that sometimes everyday items shouldn’t be overlooked.
So that’s what I learned.
What didn’t I learn?
Well, I really didn’t learn how to work with ‘non-professional’ lighting and achieve professional, or semi-professional results.
By the third day we still hadn’t talked about taking photos without fancy equipment, which was kind of disappointing. I asked the instructor and he simply said to get what is called a ‘shop light’, which is available in almost any home improvement store and make certain all your lighting has the same type of bulb, which preferably is halogen.
So that was my big ‘take away’.
In case you’re in need of an easy, el cheapo alternative to fancy lights, a while back I showed you all how to create a diy lightbox, and I have to say I use it a LOT for some of my food photos, but if you don’t want to go that route, just a white board held at the right angle can make a difference in your shots. If you sell on Etsy or Ebay you may want to consider one or two professional lights, but you can make do with some less expensive alternatives.
Now on to the pastel class. This one is almost embarrassing. You see all those marks?
I drool.
A. Lot.
(Either that, or I kept spilling water on the drawing because I didn’t like my hands being all chalky and kept using a paper towel soaked in water to wash them and of course got it all over the drawing.)
I guess the Met won’t be knocking on my door anytime soon.
Now do you want to see some artwork actually worth displaying? How about this watercolor my friend Cheryl painted and gifted me with?
In other news…
We bought, painted and installed some wood boards just over the stone steps and it looks a lot more pulled together. We’ll be starting on ‘Phase 3’, the side of the house, sometime in July. I’m not 100% sure what I want to do there yet, other than have some grass and a path to the back. Maybe I’ll ask for opinions soon.
Oh, and Earth, Wind & Fire was great! We danced like knuckleheads, ate like porkers, and drank way too much. All in all, just another night. ๐
Emily says
Doreen, sorry you were a little disappointed in the photography class. It is a letdown when we pay a big price and feel like it was not what we signed up for. I enjoy photography and I enjoy articles online, of course not the same as instructions in the classroom. Interesting, thanks for sharing your class.
Cecilia says
Oh I dislike paying a lot for a class then being disappointed and not really getting what you wanted from it. Especially when the day is nice and you could be outside!
I haven’t gotten into pastels because of the dust issue. My paper would be smudged too, lol.
Sounds like y’all had fun at the Earth, Wind, and Fire concert. ๐
Have a wonderful weekend!
Amy says
I’ve taken a few too many of those classes that turn out to be expensive disappointments. What a bummer. You may not have learned as much as you hoped to, but I’ve got to say that your pastel is really good! It’s got a lot of dimension, and the objects look very realistic. You’ve got talent, there, Ms. Doreen! Glad to hear the steps are looking good!
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says
Hi Doreen,
I am sorry the class was not what you thought it would be. I think you did pick up some tips that will be helpful,
but I agree with others when you pay big bucks you want to learn something. You take beautiful pictures. Glad the concert was fun. Happy Sunday. Have a great week.
Kris
Cindy says
Very interesting information. I am honest, I just take pictures. Have a fantastic camera that I invested in but that’s it. The white is good for food? I should invest in?? That is me letting you know not sure where to go with this. LOL
Keep in mind my MS. Thanks my friend
Cindy
Poppy says
I believe that creative, conscientious people tend to have high expectations, and having said that, I am not surprised at your comments re: your product photography course. Yes, you probably could have learned more, but the fact is that you did, in the end, take away something that will progress your own process.
Your final pic of your bric-a-brac is pretty. But that’s easy when the subject is beautiful, too.
XXX
Poppy
P.S.: Email me dates and times for our talk-a-thon!
Kim says
I have never taken a photography class and with a kid going college this fall, I doubt I will be for a long, long time! She taught me a few tricks when she took photography in school last year. They were helpful tips, but I would really like to learn more.
Julie says
Hi Doreen, that is too bad about the photography class you took. It’s great though that you are taking classes and learning about different things that interest you! Wishing you a wonderful week.
Julie xo
Sue says
I admire your dedication traveling 50 minutes away to a class. I liked your tips today and hope to remember them, but all I have is my cell phone. I like your take photos in the shade tip. I like your drawing especially the detail on the knife. Have a great rest of the week.
Carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Too bad that class wasn’t a little more of what you’d hoped for – but still some great tips in there!
I love your pastel portrait – drool marks and all. Lol ๐
Glad the concert was great! I was the one drooling over your insta photos of your food! Yum!! And happy steps project is getting fully complete. Another great job done! ๐
Blessings on your week ahead Babes!!
xoxo
Debbie from MountainMama says
That’s too bad about the photography class, especially driving an hour each way to get to it! Thanks for sharing what you DID learn with us!!
tammy j says
i’m late to the party!
the A/C went out in my apt and I had to stay with the marine.
our heat here is still not just brutal but dangerous.
it was nearly 80 degrees this morning at 5:30.
finally they got it back on yesterday afternoon.
so I’ve been away from the computer.
this post brought to mind a line from a woody allen movie…
“those who can… DO.
those who can’t… TEACH.
those who can’t teach… TEACH GYM!”
here’s what I think…
I think you’re ALREADY an ace photographer. Seriously.
that fact is proven over and over in your fabulous posts!!!
you could teach YOUR OWN class for pete’s sake.
I think driving to Stockbridge would have been wonderful to see where Norman Rockwell lived… didn’t he live there? or wait… was it Sturbridge?
anyway… that’s the only reason you should have gone! IMHO!!!
Jemma says
I truly respect and admire how you are so proactive with your continuing education for so many things.
Your mind is so keen and always searching for answers and information.
I also think it is pretty cool how you know how to have fun!
Pretty pictures and I paid close attention to what you were telling me:)
xxx
Jemma
Karen Frost says
Too bad about your photography class…but thank you for sharing the few tips you did get! I love your little paper bowl ๐ I like how you showed us the ‘bright sun’ shot and how you can utilize that. Your little painting is sweet despite the water marks – I think it would look great with your friend’s painting! I love that you are always trying new things! x Karen
AnnMarie says
That’s no fun to invest time and money and then get a lame instructor. You probably could have taught that class better because your pictures are usually great!
Cindi says
I agree with AnnMarie!
You could have taught that class.
I love your bowl!!!
And wow, very cool drooly photo!
xoxoxo
Al says
That’s too bad that your photography class didn’t teach you what you’d hoped to learn. Perhaps you already know more about photography than you realize. Also, I agree about the space between the containers in the first picture. It was the first thing I noticed. What bothers me isn’t the space, but the fact that there’s mostly space but a tiny bit that appears to be touching. Strange the things that bother us, right? Pastels aren’t my thing either. I don’t think I shared my pastel class experience yet but, if I haven’t, I will.
susan says
Sorry that your photography class wasn’t what you hoped it would be, Doreen, but I love that nothing stops you from pursuing all kinds of interesting things. You’re so full of life – and very inspiring.
Dewena says
You might not have learned much new in your class but you’ve passed on some great photo tips here, Doreen. And your pastel is lovely! Yum, to your gourmet dinner at the concert!
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
Thank you for the tips that you DID get from the (not so successful) class! I use a regular digital camera and once in awhile, for some reason that I don’t really know what I did, one photo may turn out really fantastic! That’s always such a fun surprise.. like a sun shot now and then will really turn out awesome… and I didn’t even plan it! I usually try to take shots in the shade, but now and then a full sun shot can be really neat. Love your little bowl and do love the black background. And Earth, Wind and Fire? oh wow I’m so envious. Glad you had a great time! I had to laugh at your photo class part where you said you’d rather be outside or having your nails pulled! I had to go back and read it again! hee hee….
Mary-the boondocks blog says
Doreen you would have been better off getting y our fingernails pulled out. So you paid him to look for his dropbox password? I suspect you already knew all these things you just showed to us. The photos sure did come out very nice. Especially the peonies. As for the pastel drawing, we will chalk that up to artistic licence.
kelly says
So, it sounds like you spent more time and money than you should have for that photography class. Well, at least you did learn some new tricks. Some of them I knew about just from reading about it on others blogs but you did give me some other things to think about! I could definitely use a tutor with my camera since I tend to only know a few of the settings. I don’t experiment with it too often.
Vashti Q says
Hi Doreen! Thanks for sharing the class. I’m sorry it didn’t live up to your expectationsโโthat sucks!
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
I was having some breakfast while reading this and almost choked to death. “Fingernails pulled out” LMAO !!