I get some of my best ideas from Oprah Winfrey.
In this case, I got the shard of brilliance from a guest on Oprah’s show who was hawking photo books.
Still, the idea is phenomenal, so I happily ran with it.
Taking pictures of your child’s masterpieces and placing them in a photo book is not a new idea, nor does it require the brain of a surgeon. However, you do need to practice some basic photography techniques in order to snap a shot that is book worthy.
The best way to photograph pictures drawn on construction paper or other flat material is to take them outside. This way you can use as much natural light as possible. I would suggest setting up shop under a tree. The shade from the tree’s branches will help reduce shadows and glares. Before shooting, be sure to place a large piece of white or black poster board on the shaded ground as a background. Next, place the artwork that you want to photograph on top of the poster board. If the weather is inclement, then shoot inside on a large countertop or dining room table that is bathed in light from a nearby window.
When framing the shot, be sure the drawing or painting is straight. Resist using a wide angle lens, as doing so will compromise the integrity of the shot. In most cases, using a wide angle lens distorts the sides of the art. Keep it simple by aiming straight down and filling as much of the viewfinder with the piece of art as possible.
Depending on how much shade you are working in, reflection might be an issue. This is not unusual, as shooting flat materials can cause lighting problems, especially if the piece of art is laminated. I would suggest that you move around and experiment with different angles until you get a shot that is void of reflections, shadows or hot spots. If you are shooting indoors, use an external flash, instead of a built-in version to avoid reflections.
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