Crafty Secret's Design Team Challenge and Tutorial on How to Take Pictures of Your Cards!

Good morning! 

It is the start of a new month and that means it is time for the Crafty Secret's Design Team Challenge and Linky Party!

I am showcasing a new set today called, Bedtime Kids AND showing you how I photograph my cards!  But first lets talk about the card. :)  I printed the image and colored it with my Copic markers. The dark blue paper behind the image is a digital paper from Crafty Secrets. I used various Spellbinder's dies to create the circular background.  (Scalloped Circles,Pierced Rectangles, and Crisscross).  I also added Spellbinder's feathers, ribbon, and a Prima flower.  

I added a bit of lace and a scattering of sequins to finish off the card. 

I've had several people ask how I take my pictures of my cards. So here is my attempt at a mini tutorial! 

When taking pictures you want to find a good light source.  My living room can be quite dark due to the dark furniture I have.  But fortunately for me I have a large picture window and a side window.  (One faces west and the other south)

I have determined that taking pictures behind the couch you see here, is the best place in my house. 

My family thinks I am a bit goofy when I am sprawled out on the floor with my camera.... ;) 

I also use this particular lens, a 50mm.  I love it because I can set the apperature as low as 1.8 if I want to get a nice blurred (bokeh) background.  

For the card above, my settings were a 2.8 aperture, an ISO of 100 (the lower your ISO the less grainy your photo will be), and a shutter speed of 200. 

And one more VERY important item....I ALWAYS shoot in RAW format.  

You have WAY more control when you edit the photo when it is shot in RAW format!

So here is my little set up behind my couch in front of the picture window.  To be sure the flowers were blurred, I put some space between the card and the flowers.  The further back I place the flowers, the more blurred they will be.  As you can see it is nothing fancy.  The white foam core you see on the right helps to reflect the light from the window and fill in some of the shadows.

If you have any other questions or anything I can show you that would be more helpful, please leave a comment and I will address it in my next post. :) 

For more crafty inspiration, please be sure to visit these other talented ladies!

Kathy Clement Team Leader

Michele Kovack - 300+ Gallery!

Sheila Rumney

Darlene Pavlick

Elizabeth Lincoln

Gloria Stengel

Diane Hover

Melody Clement

Shantaie Caudill-Fowler

Vicki Chrisman

***Don't forget to enter one of my giveaways below!***

One ends tonight and the other ends tomorrow night!

:)