Teach Soap

So I know I need a better camera, which for me is step one. But as far as backgrounds and contrasts - can anyone give me some advice? I know the background shouldn't be the exact same color as my soap, but most of my soaps are light and a too-dark background doesn't communicate the light, clean message I'm looking for. Maybe it's about textures? All ideas welcome here!

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Heather Shoemaker

I usually use plain white, matte background. That way the focus is on the soap as that's what I'm selling.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Heather, I fought with photographing for the longest time and finally came up with some things that seem to work. I asked alot of questions, read everything I could get my hands on, and tried a bunch of different ways before I came up with a few simple procedures:
1. Relax and don't stress. The pics won't look natural if they appear "staged".
2. Get a decent camera - I finally picked up a Vivitar 8025 at wallyworld for under $60 and then a 4g memory card for under $20. This one focuses well, my other one didn't seem to focus well.
3. Set the camera for closeups (the tulip setting).
4. I find natural daylite the best. Setting the soap just below a window sill seems to work well for me though this summer I'll put them on the windowsill (window and sills are currently covered by plastic shrinkwrap for the winter). Try to avoid shadows if possible.
5. Keep it as interesting as possible. My soaps are usually plain in color and made in pvc pipe so keeping it interesting is a challenge sometimes.
6. I like my background white, but the soap sitting on a contrasting color.
7. Relax and allow yourself to be creative. The beauty of a digital camera is you can shoot lots of different pics an throw out the ones you don't like without any expensive. Think of yourself as one of those photographers who shoots fashion models and let your mind play and have fun.

I am NOT an expert, and I know there are better photographers out there that can give you better advice but hopfully this will get you started.

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Sunkawakan
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Finally open!
Blog -

I'm still working on my skills but have had some good success. One trick I found for backgrounds is to use scrapbooking paper. They come in a LARGE variety of colors, textures, patterns, and photo images. I happened to go into JoAnn's (craft supply/fabric store) when they were having a sale on individual sheets and got a huge stack for under $20.

My next step is to build a light box... I've just been procrastinating but that should make all the difference.

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- Mickey!

Here is link explaining how to creat an inexpensive light box.

http://www.wikihow.com/Create-an-Inexpe ... y-Lightbox

Having a tripod is a good idea too, so this way you don't need to use the flash. Using the flash will wash out the colors in your soap.

I use a lightbox and a piece of scrabook paper as my background, and my pictures come out looking pretty professional.

Using a neutral color will help keep the focus on your soap. Also using the macro setting and a tripod if your camera has a slow shutter speed will help.

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http://www.inarubathandbody.com

Thanks guys - excellent advice. The light box was also super helpful. I don't have the option of disabling the flash on my digital camera and it always flashes which definitely does wash out the soap. I'll go look for one that has better focus options, no flash and a tripod. Any advice on brands?

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Heather Shoemaker

I love my FujiFilm digital.

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- Mickey!

I use a Canon Rebel XT. I had lenses for this camera from before. I just bought the digital body.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I met a professional photographer (movies) over the holiday and mentioned my new hobby and asked about photos. Besides the light box, you can use a chinese paper lantern 20 inches and put a bright light in it. Have it lit with a 100 or higher bulb and use it to shadow when and where you want. Creates lovely effects evidently, haven't tried it yet.

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~bytheSEAsoap~ Mella bythesea, bythesea, bythebeautiful sea

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