:: Getting that "Perfect" Picture ::

 Photography Tips from Splendid Stamping with The Greeting Farm

Who doesn't want to be able to show off their beautiful creations with a perfect picture of their project only to discover when you take the photo it doesn't really show off how truly beautiful it is?!  I am a regular reader of Splendid Stamping with the Greeting Farm blog and this week Jen has written up a fabulous 'how-to' on improving your camera skills that I really wanted to share.

Like most, I tend to snap pictures of my creations late at night which doesn't really encourage a great atmosphere for photos.  I own a Sony point and shoot camera which I have learned over the last little while the best photos are not from shooting with the camera's "automatic" features, but to set and use the manual tools.  (If only Jen had written this post a little sooner -- about a year and a half ago!)

When I do take my pictures, I use two pieces of thick artist matboard from my local art supply store and set them up like this:

I purchased some standard desk lights from IKEA and used plain old regular daylight light bulbs.  I found that the halogen lights just don't do justice. 

Some people like to jazz up their photos by adding some extra elements.  I have a bunch of doilies, in a variety of colours which I will sometimes use, but I generally use a white doily that I feel shows my projects off better:

You can place a sheet of 12x12 patterned paper as a background drop and embellish the setting by placing flowers, rocks, gems (or anything else!) around your project to finish the final product!

Here are some blogs that inspire me with their camera techniques:

Beatriz Jennings
Viola Mahr
Dawn McVey
Jen del Munro
Becky Oehlers
Melissa Phillips

Check out Jen's blog post HERE then start practising and playing with your cameras!