inkygirl

<p>Wanted to follow up. I ended up buying a Manfrotto MT055XPRO tripod & MHXPRO3W X-PRO 3-Way Head and am very happy. Here's a photo of my setup for a test picture: <a href=" Thanks again for everyone's advice!<br> Debbie</p><div></div>

<p>James: Sounds like your copy stand has been so useful to you!<br /> Lex & James: Thanks for the kind words about my work.<br /> <br /> So I've gone through everyone's comments, my own equipment and (sigh) also my own budget. I love the idea of a camera with that adjustable screen thingy, but I would still need to get up high enough to avoid distortion. I love the idea of a copy stand, but the object I need to photograph (a piece of art with found objects that is at least the size of two 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper side by side) would have to photographed from high enough to avoid distortion.<br /> <br /> I came across this photo: http://www.tabletopstudio.com/IMAGES/FAQ/plate_photosetup.jpg The setup looks great except my object would be too big.<br /> <br /> and I found this article: https://fstoppers.com/gear/shooting-overhead-save-your-back-tripod-arm-3607<br /> <br /> So now I'm looking at horizontal tripod arms like this one: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554329-REG/Manfrotto_131D_131D_Side_Arm.html<br /> <br /> There's also this full horizontal tripod:<br /> http://www.amazon.ca/Manfrotto-Aluminium-Section-Tripod-Horizontal/dp/B00FZLBURG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418561606&sr=8-1&keywords=Manfrotto+190+Aluminium+3+Section+Tripod+with+Horizontal+Column<br /> <br /> but it's much more pricey.<br /> <br /> Continuing my research a bit more before I buy, but wanted to update you all. Thanks again for your advice.<br /> <br /> Debbie<br /> <br /> p.s. One of my books was highlighted in the National Post yesterday!!! See the illustration on the right side of http://debbieohi.com/book-naked-blog/2014/12/13/thanks-to-the-national-post-for-including-naked-in-their-bes.html ?? That's MINE, woohoo!!!</p>

<p>James: Thanks for posting that image! It helped give me more of an idea of how a copy stand works. I think, though, that I'd need to find a copy stand that was tall enough so I could get the entire spread into the image. A smaller copy stand would be fine for my smaller found object pieces, though. Do you still use yours? what kind of work do you photograph, out of curiosity?<br /> Leszek: Thanks for this tip!<br> <br /> Lex: Yes, I'd like to add my own equipment rather than use the publisher's if at all possible since I live in Toronto and my publisher is in NYC. The latter would be ok if I know everything will be fine the first time, but that's probably wishful thinking. :-) And yes, I'm realizing as I read everyone's helpful comments and thinking about my own situation: I'm going to need a very TALL copy stand. I'm also not tech-savvy enough to ask the right questions when looking for this studio gear, nor do I have the tech know-how to modify equipment (my husband might, though).<br> <br /> After the holidays (too crazy in stores right now), I think I will go into Toronto shops and describe my situation (armed with info from all of you --- THANK YOU!!!) and try to get the right gear. Not sure if I can afford a new camera AND all the proper supporting mounting poles/rails/lighting/etc, but we'll see.<br> <br /> I'll let you know what happens. Thanks again for everyone's advice,<br> <br /> Debbie</p> <p> </p>

<p>Lex: Thank you sooooooo much for all that info! Good point re: distortion. Especially thanks for the info about the distance info; I was wondering about that. I'm going to research copy stands (I had never heard of these before) and adjustable height tables. Thanks also for the info about your camera equipment; I'm going to check that out as well as Canon equivalents.<br> <br /> James: The found objects will be laid out on different backgrounds (each one will be a separate spread in the picture book), and some of the found objects are going to be perishable (leaves, etc.). I'm still figuring out what media to use, but probably a mix of watercolor and pastel and ink on paper. Thanks for the tip about a gray card; I'll have to research that technique and the other excellent advice you gave about exposure consistency plus checking for barrel distortion.<br> <br /> Eddie: I've been thinking about buying Adobe Lightroom (or Aperture, which may have a similar feature for checking for lens distortion...I'll have to check) -- thanks so much for this tip!</p>

<p>Thanks for this thread. I'm going to be trying this with my Epson R2000 for a book project -- printing the inked lines onto watercolor paper, then using watercolor paint over it.</p>

<p>Stefan: Thanks very much! I've always wanted a macro lens but I'm not sure if I'll be using it with my picture book illustration. An illustration spread would be about 12" high, 20" wide. Or think of two 8.5" x 11" sheets of printer paper lined up beside each other (probably bigger). The entire surface needs to be evenly lit, with no shadows. Color accuracy is vital; I'd basically be taking a photo of a painting plus the found object laid on top.<br> <br /> Cory: I've tried searching the web but wasn't sure exactly what to search for. Thanks for the link. I'm not exactly sure how this copy stand is supposed to work with my Canon Rebel Xti? I saw in the comments that it doesn't seem appropriate for a heavier camera. Hey, but maybe this is a good excuse to get a lighter camera!<br> <br /> Stephen: Wow, that sounds complicated (the first bit, I mean---I have no idea what an articulating screen is). Are you talking about a point-and-shoot? I assume you mean this model? http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/e-pl2.html (I did a Google search) Do you think this will take high enough quality photos for an illustrated book?<br> <br /> JDM: Yes, that's part of the rationale. :-D<br> <br /> Thanks for your help, everyone.</p>

<p>Forgot to add: some of the pieces I will be photographing will be approximately 20" x 12".<br> Thanks!</p> <p>Debbie</p>

<p>Hi all,<br> <br /> I'm a children's book writer & illustrator who is also a hobby photographer (I've had photos in some textbooks, magazines & newspapers but only sporadically, am not a career photographer).<br> <br /> I own a (now ancient) Canon Rebel Xti & my favorite lens is a Sigma 30mm/1.4 and also a point-and-shoot Canon S100, but I do most of my casual photography these days with my iPhone 6s.<br> <br /> I started doing some found object doodles for fun. You can see samples of my doodles here: http://debbieohi.com/lookagain<br> Here's my current photo setup: <br /> I've been approached by my publisher (Simon & Schuster) to do at least one found object picture book -- this will basically be a mixed media flat piece of art (probably ink & watercolor and pastel) with found objects laid on top. Some of these found objects will be perishable, like parsley or other plant/vegetable items.<br> <br /> After I do the art, one option is to go to the publisher's office in NYC (I live in Toronto), buy any perishable items there, get the final pieces photographed at the S&S offices.<br> <br /> BUT....I'm thinking it might be worth the investment of time and money to get updated photo equipment (camera, lighting etc.) and learn how to do the photography myself. I may also do a found object coffee table type of book and other found object books. I'm also thinking it's about time I updated my camera.<br> <br /> <strong>The main challenge: I need to be able to photograph looking DOWN. And the final photo quality needs to be high enough that my publisher can use it for a book. I also have limited office space.</strong><br> <br /> Any advice and suggestions much appreciated!<br> <br /> Thanks,<br /> Debbie Ridpath Ohi<br /> (More about me and my work, for those curious: DebbieOhi.com)</p>