How to photograph your layouts

Taking a good photograph of you layout can make a HUGE difference when you are submitting your layouts to our challenge.  

We have had requests asking for advice on how best to take your photos.  Our designer, Amber Packer has come up with these tips.

1.  Make sure your layout is flat 

You can achieve this a number of different ways:  flat on the ground, leaning against something, or hung on the wall with repositionable tape.  (Watch the corners, they tend to curl up)

2.  Parallel lines

When taking the photo, be sure your layout is parallel to the top, bottom and sides of you view finder.

***this most important, this one step will make a HUGE difference***  If your layout is not parallel to along all sides, your layout will be distorted and take away from your beautiful design.

3.  Lighting, lighting, lighting

The best light to shoot in (for everything) is Natural, indirect lighting.  Direct sunlight will cause shadows on your layout.  You can achieve this lighting either outdoors or indoors.  You will not need your flash if you can find this lighting.

4.  Things to watch out for

• Watch your flash.  Shiny photos and embellishments will reflect the light and will show the flash.  This will mean we cannot see parts of your layouts, most likely your pictures.
• Blurry photos.  This generally happens when you are shooting in a location without enough light.  Place your camera on a flat surface (counter, table, ground) or use a tripod to solve this.
• Distortion.  Watch for parallel lines (as mentioned above).

Feel free to email me (amber@mymindseye.com) with any questions you may have.

 

Comments

[Patricia Kragten]

Hi there,

i love to work with the paper of my minds eye.
I was looking to all the lay outs and I was wondering if I can put my own lay outs on this site?
I don't know if that is possible?

Greetings,

Patricia

[Lindsey]

great article on cropping and straightening photos of layouts. seriously, it's changed my life!

http://www.scrapstreet.com/magy2/07nov07/bytes/creation.htm

[Rhonda Merry]

Thank you for this. This was soooo helpful.