PHOTO HELP!!!! Please

[Gordon in NC]

Don't ya just hate it when a new fellow shows up.....and won't shut up?:rolleyes:

Well.....I'm sorry for taking up so much bandwidth but I have a question....please.

I've never been much at taking photo's.....how in the world do you fellows get such GREAT shots?????:confused:

Special cameras??? Lighting??? how do you do it????:confused:

I've got an old HP 315 Photo Smart camera....and it won't keep in focus up close.....

Any tips, suggestions.......????? Please.

Keep your eyes on the ground.....Gordon in NC

[rock hound]

No, Gordon you have to make posts otherwise we won't know important info about you.

It will be difficult to get a good pic of a point that will reveal the flaking and detail of a point using the HP 315 Photo Smart. It only has 2.1 megapixel and it does not have a macro focus feature. I am also ready for an up-grade. I have a Pentax optio 50 It has 5 mp with 3 X zoom. It has macro focus, it is ok but I want something bigger and better. And yes, lighting is the other key component to a good photo. There is a world of differences between solar, fluorescent, and incandescent lighting. And then how much light and how the light hits your subject. Hope this helps.

[Gordon in NC]

Well, yes that does RH...but most (read all) of that camera tech stuff went over my head.

What camera are you going to upgrade to???... if you don't mind me asking.

I've had the HP for a long time....never let me down but your 100% correct, it just can't do the job.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.......:)


Keep your eyes on the ground......Gordon in NC

[Hernandoman]

All I can recommend is what I know/have used. I use a Sony F 828 (8 megapixels) that is several years old. I have been very satisfied with the Sony and when I replace this one, it will definitely be another Sony.

[Gordon in NC]

Well Gov'ner...If I could get pics like yours out of a camera....I'd be happy as a little girl. Thanks for the help and I'm going to look up the Sony F828 (if they still make one?)

Gota idea of what you'd buy if you did upgrade? Sony, yes....model?

Thanks again for taking the time to help......cameras are just something I've never know much about.

Now I'm wondering if by magic, an upgraded camera will turn these field grade rocks I have here into some of the candy I've been seeing on here :)

Keep your eyes on the ground.....Gordon in NC

[bassman810]

Hey Gordon. I don't claim to be one of the "great" photo takers, but here's my two cents.
I have a Fuji FinePix Z5 fd (350$) 7 megapixels w/ zoom and "macro" function. It is a small digital camera and fits very easily on my belt in a cheap camera case (about 10$) I got at Best Buy. There are now better cameras (i.e. 12 megapixels or more) for less money and smaller size.
I also bought a small tripod (15$) at Best Buy that has retractable legs and fits in its own draw-string bag on my belt as well. I take the 'pod and camera with me into the field for in situ photos.
When I am in the field I put the camera on the 'pod to get extra steady close-up shots. I take the camera off the 'pod to get those "close to the dirt" photos of the dirt pillar that some points sit atop.
When I'm at home I set my camera to "flash/natural" light setting and "macro". I put the camera on the 'pod and fire away with as many pictures as possible. I use a retractable arm desk lamp with compact fluorescent bulb for direct overhead (or overpoint) lighting and the flash of the camera. My lighting setup is not ideal, but it is "no fuss".
I use Photoshop 7.0 to view my photos on the computer and make any lighting/color/sharpening adjustments that are needed. Picasa (free online software) is also a good photo editing platform.
Hope this isn't info overload, but I am a detail-oriented kind of guy.

[Gordon in NC]

yes....I do know how to spell known

[Gordon in NC]

Martin....no overload at all. GREAT info and I do appreciate it. You've given me a world of info in one simple post.....thanks.

Take care.....Gordon in NC

[bkw]

I have a Canon Powershot Sx110 with 9 mega pixels and 10X zoom. It has a lot of neat features that I don't use because for most shots the Auto mode works just fine. My problem is that I hardly find anything worth taking a picture of. :(

[Hernandoman]

They dont still make the F828 but you can find good used ones on Ebay for around $400. But, for that much money, you may want to go with something else, brand new.

Not sure on which Sony I would get to replace this one, but certainly an SLR with 10-12 megapixels or more.

[Gordon in NC]

Thanks fellows....It's starting to sink in a little.

7-12 megapixels (or higher)
3x-10x zoom
Micro (or is it Macro?) focus feature
Tripod

I'm guessing for lighting...I have stuff around the house I could try. I have a retractable arm desk lamp with compact fluorescent bulb...and a world of other types of lamps/lights.

It sounds like there's probably a BUNCH of good cameras out there...figured there was, but had no clue what to look for.

You guys are the best!!!! Thanks for taking the time to help.

Keep your eyes on the ground....Gordon in NC

[bassman810]

No prob dude.
After my wife bought me that 350$ jober (Fuji FinePix) for Christmas a few yrs back, I just googled the helk out of "digital cameras" to find the best/small cameras for the best prices. There are some nice name brands with some mighty nice bells and whistles for under 150$.
The "up close focus" function on my camera is "macro". I could be "micro" on other brands.
Enjoy your research.

[old creek warrior]

I'm guessing for lighting...I have stuff around the house I could try. I have a retractable arm desk lamp with compact fluorescent bulb...and a world of other types of lamps/lights.

It's hard to beat good old sunlight.

[rock hound]

old creek warrior I agree with you. Sunlight is readily available every day, no cost to the user, and gives excellent results. IMO fluorescent light gives a greenish tint and incandesent light give a red tint to photos.

[old creek warrior]

When i take pictures of artifact i want what i see with my eye to be whats on the memory card.This has a lot to do with shadows.If your trying to pick up on a certain feature about the artifact(For instance say a point has some killer flaking)When you look at it with your eye and a shadow is cast on the flaking,thats pretty much how the pics gonna turn out.Some times you have to spin around in a circle until you get the best angle.The color of the material also has a lot to do with it.Take for instance a white Ocala chert.Its not gonna take a good pic in direct sunlight, because it sends back a lot of reflection to the camera and the flaking is probably not gonna show up at all,you might have to move to shaded area where the suns not so bright.River polished material has its challenges also.Were coming up on spring and its an awesome time to photo artifacts outside,the suns getting high and you have bluebird skies for those translucent shots.

[dunnellondave]

Gordon, if your just wanting to take a better shot of arrowheads mainly I wouldn't worry so much about mega pixels. My camera is a 5 mega pixel camera and I shoot my pics on the lowest setting. Take a pick on your lowest and highest settings and post them on here and I doubt you will see very little if any difference. If you are wanting to print them out on paper then thats another story. Light and a macros setting is all you need to take better pictures. I have a zillion settings and besides maybe my zoom I don't use any of the other ones. My camera is a Kodak and cost me about 300. a few years back. The thing is most cameras now will have higher mega pixels for the same price as what we paid a few years ago for the lower ones.

[fatman]

I agree with Dave, me too!

[Gordon in NC]

Thanks for all the tips (pun intended) fellows.

I've had my camera a long time and it has worked well for the most part....just can't get up close like I want to with the relics. I've been doing my research and there's a bunch to choose from. Right now I'm still looking. I'll probably just throw a dart and the one that get's hit...will be the winner. Lots of good name brand cameras out there for good prices.

Thanks again....the snow's cleared, it's raining....the feilds are calling. Wonder if they will ever bottom plow again???????

Take care and keep your eyes on the ground.....Gordon in NC