Camera problems!

[Napoleon]

I don't think that there is a topic like this, but, mod, please lock it if there is.

I use my Mom's digital camera whenever I want to take pictures of my Lego. But there is one big problem, most of the buildings (most of the time) turn out fine, except for brighter colors, including yellow minifig faces! It's getting really tiresome. I can't do comics and I can't do good battle scenes. It would be kinda funny to take a picture of the Yellow Castle. It would radiate in all it's non-BURP, non-BUWP, AND non-BUTP goodness.
Hey, did I just invent "BUTP"? Big Ugly Tower Piece? Anyhoo, I am just wondering if I need to put it on another setting, but I think I tried all of them. Maybe I should save for my OWN camera, but there is just to many good sets to buy. But, if you know what I should do, please tell me. I think it's a Panasonic. I'm no technology geek, but if I can, I'll post some of the camera's info later. I know I already made the "WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE HISTORICAL PERSON" thread, but please do not hold my over-eager mouth against me.

[Robin Hood]

Over eager mouths are quite alright, so long as what comes out of the mouth is always something worthwhile.

I am not completely sure I understand your question though. I think you are saying your brighter pieces have too much glare, correct?

If so, here are a few tips I will recommend.

1: Don't use flash! Flash is the evilness of Lego picture taking. Instead, take a couple of lamps and light up the MOC that way. Just be sure if you use incandescent light bulbs, be sure to adjust the setting on the camera, or else the pics will be yellowed slighly.

2: When using said lamps, be sure to position them so that there isn't any glare. This may require a little while to find the right place. Or better yet, diffuse the light by having a cloth or something in front of it.

3: If you are using natural light, again make sure you are positioned so as to reduce the glare.

4: Try adjusting the brightness settings on the camera, that may help.

I feel your pain my friend. To be honest, taking pictures is the part that I utterly HATE about building MOCs. These are all the ideas i can suggest, but I am sure that the more phototellegent among us can offer more.

Dan

[SavaTheAggie]

Unfortunately there isn't much I can prescribe except continue tweaking with your camera's settings. It could be that your mom's camera is just naturally sensitive to yellow hues.

One possibility is that you're not using enough light. It's possible the contrast between darker and lighter colors are so great that your camera is trying to make up for it. Try taking pictures of your MOCs outside while the sun is out, but while your MOCs are in the shade. This should provide enough ambient lighting to decide if the problems you're experiencing are internal or external to your camera.

--Tony

[Bruce N H]

Hey,

Good advice above. I'd add two things:

1. Play around a lot with the angle of the lighting. I find that by moving the desk lamp I use just a few inches one way or the other, the colors can look very different.

2. Edit your photos using a program like Photoshop or Gimp (Gimp is a freeware program). We have an article on downloading and using Gimp. You can play around with the brightness and contrast and the color balance to help achieve your desired effect.

Bruce

[Napoleon]

Guys, I will try as many of your suggestions as possible. I don't own any desk lamps, but I'll try to get some. Thank you all very kindly for helping!