Teach Soap

Hi Everyone,
I'm trying to take pictures of my soap.
I use a light box. someone told me this would help. It has a little, not much.

My pictures just don't seem to be clear.
I have a new good camera.

Does the light box go under the soap (then the top of the soap looks dark) or behind it? Flash or no flash?

I'm doing something wrong.

Any hints on taking great soap pics? The pictures posted here are so bright, clear & beautiful. They really show off your soaps.

I really need help with this.
Thanks everyone,
einnoc

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"Soap is to the body what laughter is to the soul!"

Sounds like you need blue tinged lights that you use outside the light box. It will light up inside the light box without the flash going off on your camera.

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

I'm not a professional and I have a regular Nikon point and shoot..However, I take pics in the day in my dining room. There is indirect light from the sliding door and a window. Flash off, I get great photos. Also, most times I use 12x12 scrapbook paper as a backdrop. Goodluck, it can be frustrating sometimes...I've never used a light box btw..Im going to read up on it!

Hi glamblover and Soapbuddy,
I just bought a new Nikon Coolpix. The colors are not bright. I seem to be having all sorts of problems with it. For every one fairly acceptable picture, it seems I have to take 5! I don't like any pictures this camera takes. I want my old Olympus back!

Soapbuddy, what are "blue tinged lights that you use outside the light box"? Are these blue light bulbs I can buy to go in the light box?

I'm not using a flash. I try to use natural light. I didn't like the pictures at all when the flash goes off.

Where does the soap go - on top of the light box or does the light box go behind the soap?

Thanks for your help. As you can tell, I need a lot!
einnoc

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"Soap is to the body what laughter is to the soul!"

Your soap should go in the light box.

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Wintermoon, in the light box?
My lightbox has a glass top on it. The lights are enclosed. There is no way to put anything in it.
I don't understand.
einnoc

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"Soap is to the body what laughter is to the soul!"

Hmm..that's a lightbox I've never seen before.
These are the only kind I've ever seen or something similar, like homemade ones.
http://www.obnphoto.com/light_boxes.html

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I understand now. We are talking about 2 different things here!
I also found this tutorial on making a light box. http://www.digital-photography-school.c ... light-tent

I could use mine, but I need to enclose it in a much larger box!

Thanks, Wintermoon
einnoc

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"Soap is to the body what laughter is to the soul!"

It's best to do photos outside in diffused light - early morning is ideal. Nice, clean light before the sun is too high and hot. The afternoons offer too much "yellow" light for me, but I live in the desert, so it can depend on where you live. Never shoot in direct sunlight - those sharp, dark shadows are tricky to work with. Try shooting in the shade of a tree, or patio, etc. Your camera will have a macro setting. Take full advantage of it! Not only will it give a great depth of field, it will also allow more light in with the lower aperature. Also when using your macro setting, use a tripod or set the camera on something sturdy and use the timer. You want to minimize as much movement as you can. Avoid using the flash. You can switch it off if it's set to automatic. Check your camera manual.

Hope that helps!

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Rachel
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I made myself a cardboard/tissue paper lightbox like the tutorial you pointed out. I use 2 halogen bulbed lamps that shine through the white tissue paper at the top of the box. I'm in a dark, gloomy basement suite (moving soon!!) so that is pretty much the only light that hits the box. This works for most soaps, except ones with a white layer (particularly the bottom layer being white) never turn out right. The pictures are sometimes a bit on the yellow side but then I take them all and go to picnik.com and sharpen/brighten/change the exposure on each until I'm satisfied. Hopefully once I move I'll have a brighter space to take photos in.

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Nikki @

There is a huge difference between making a life and making a living; which one are you making right now?

Without even looking I am willing to bet einnoc's lightbox is an artist's lightbox used to making tracing easier. Light shines through the paper so you can see it on the top page to trace. I used one in high school years back. Same name, totally different item. Only 2 things are similar, they are both boxes, and have lights.

Also, thanks for the DIY lightbox, I might make one of those.

Beachbum, you are right! The lightbox I have I use it for cutting stained glass patterns!

Fairycute, I do have a macro setting. I use it. I must slightly move the camera & get fuzziness. I edit my photos in PhotoShop.

I think I will have to go the tri-pod route w/ this homemade lightbox or go outside & take the pictures.

I did read somewhere to take pictures in early morning or after 4 in the afternoon to avoid bright daylight.

Thanks everyone for all these great hints!

einnoc

_________________
"Soap is to the body what laughter is to the soul!"

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

Soapbuddy, this looks great! Thank you so much!
einnoc

_________________
"Soap is to the body what laughter is to the soul!"

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