Digital Cameras

[Cynthia Daniel]

I actually recommend that you go up one model from the 932C. The 932C is more for transporting and thus has a paper tray that folds up flat against the printer, but it holds less paper.

I'm not sure what paper you're tried, but I know there is paper specifically for inkjet printers. Jack Pardue prints his own brochure. Maybe I can get him over here for his input.

For portrait samples, you might want to try photo paper. I've tried them on photo paper and they came out quite nice.

This is getting off into computer things and really should be in the Computer Corner. Maybe I can copy these last posts over there.

[William Whitaker]

Good grief Andrea!

I have answers that work for me, but I

[Andrea Evans]

Hi, Cynthia, Bill, et al,

This has been a great day on the forum for me. I've found that printing my own business cards is great. I have been using the Avery matte white cards (10 to a sheet). I print my name, phone number and email address on one side and on the other side I print a portrait. I print about six different portrait business cards.

Bill, I sympathize with you about your eyesight. I have presbyopia for which there is no miracle operation yet, so I have to rely on strong glasses. I visited your website, www.williamwhitaker.com. Your work is truly superior, and I particularly enjoyed the demonstrations. I shall pass along your web address. Did you photograph "The Secret" with your digital camera? I right clicked on the mouse and "zoomed in" twice. The detail and color are incredible on my monitor.

I have used a digital video with success in developing the composition for portraits involving more than one subject, particularly where children or a pet are concerned. As you shoot, the people and animals in the group all move around naturally in changing relationships to one another and against different backgrounds. With a digital video each frame can be isolated into a jpg, tiff, or whatever file producing a discrete image. The process is simple - hook the camera to your TV and computer; watch the video on your TV, and each time you see an image that appears to be what you want in terms of composition press a button on the hand-held remote and that image is captured in your computer. You can then manipulate them like any scanned image - e-mail them, print them out, etc.

The camera I've used belongs to a friend and though it is high end the resulting images don't have adequate resolution to paint from. But isolating the images and printing them out gives me many ideas to bring to the client. We decide on the composition from the video stills, and then I shoot the photos with a high-end digital or 35mm camera to work from to supplement actual sittings.

I haven't done it yet, but I think it would be neat to shoot a little video of the family unveiling the portrait, or a testimonial from the client shot on video in front of the portrait, and then integrate that into your web site.

Cynthia Kelly
Brand new to the forum

[Pam Phillips]

I have borrowed 2 different Olympus digital cameras to photogragh my paintings, and I can't remember the exact models, except that one costs $800 and the other $400. I was disappointed with the quality of the photos as they appear on my monitor (I haven't printed anything out yet). I posted a painting on the critiques thread and later realized that the image (the flesh)is somewhat blotchy primarily because the reds appear stronger than they should. I photographed the painting outside. I have photographed some other paintings and they all need adjusting. The images are a little fuzzy and in one portrait the eyes are too light. My husband was able to darken them with some tool on the computer. All the photos needed to have "noise" minimized, color saturation increased and brightened.

Needless to say, I am disappointed with these cameras. Has anyone else encountered similar problems? I'm going to check out the cameras mentioned here and I hope that in the not-too-distant future I can buy one.

[David Dowbyhuz]

Generally, (depending on your printer!) the print is far superior to anything the average monitor can display. I recently switched over from a Lexmark to an Epson, and find the colors to be FAR closer to WYSIWYG.

I recommend you always use photo-grade paper for prints. I have had great success with my Kodak DC215 Zoom, and it was only $350.00 about 18 months ago! It's only 1 megapixel, but produces really nice reference work. Good luck.

[Pam Phillips]

David,
Thanks for the advice. Are you saying that if I want to post a picture of a painting that I will get better results if I scan an image that I've printed?

[David Dowbyhuz]

Hi, Pam.

Not really. Being constrained to a 400 pixel limit, width or height, I don't think it would make a difference. For a posting, a well edited direct-from-digital will likely be best.

Cynthia has worked some real magic with other postings using her software!

[Pam Phillips]

David,
It sounds like if I post another painting I should email Cynthia first and get advice on editing and adjusting the image. Becoming a better painter will help, too. The digital image emphasizes flaws that I would have otherwise overlooked.

[Cynthia Daniel]

Pam,

Here's my post in Computer Corner about getting a good scan from a photo:

http://forum.portraitartist.com/show...=&threadid=274

If you have input from a digital camera, just start with item #2 in that post.