So, I have in mind to create some sort of documentation to help people take good photographs to document technical items. It could take on, and probably will do, several forms with different focus.
One version will be a primer on the technical basics of photography like exposure (shutter speed, aperture, ISO), focus (depth of field, methods, etc.), file formats and their applications (RAW, JPEG), and processing for color and dynamic range, and lighting. The idea is to cover what you need to know without things that don’t make it easier to understand how to take better shots of technical items for documentation.
Another version would be a how-to on taking pictures with phones and point and shoot cameras for the purpose of documenting things in support of a question here (or elsewhere) to get help. The idea would be to help people use what they have to get shots that will most assist others in helping them. It would include things like lighting, angles, distances, and some information on how to judge if the photos will serve the purpose (e.g.: markings on chips are readable, resistor color codes can be seen and colors recognized, etc.
A third outcome would be a FAQ which would allow people to get answers to questions about common techniques and equipment.
I expect this to be a long term project and don’t currently have a date for completion, but as I think about it, I am very interested in ideas from others here.
What sort of things would you like people to know about photos they post as part of questions?
What things have you had to help people with more than once?
What kinds of questions do you have yourself that you’d like answered?
What recommendations (gear, tips, ???) do you have that you’d pass on to someone starting out in this sort of photography?
What question should I have asked in this list, and what’s your answer to it?
Any help is appreciated. If anyone is interesting in collaborating on this, please let me know.
This is a great place and this is one way I might be able to contribute. Thanks to all of you for what you do here.
One version will be a primer on the technical basics of photography like exposure (shutter speed, aperture, ISO), focus (depth of field, methods, etc.), file formats and their applications (RAW, JPEG), and processing for color and dynamic range, and lighting. The idea is to cover what you need to know without things that don’t make it easier to understand how to take better shots of technical items for documentation.
Another version would be a how-to on taking pictures with phones and point and shoot cameras for the purpose of documenting things in support of a question here (or elsewhere) to get help. The idea would be to help people use what they have to get shots that will most assist others in helping them. It would include things like lighting, angles, distances, and some information on how to judge if the photos will serve the purpose (e.g.: markings on chips are readable, resistor color codes can be seen and colors recognized, etc.
A third outcome would be a FAQ which would allow people to get answers to questions about common techniques and equipment.
I expect this to be a long term project and don’t currently have a date for completion, but as I think about it, I am very interested in ideas from others here.
What sort of things would you like people to know about photos they post as part of questions?
What things have you had to help people with more than once?
What kinds of questions do you have yourself that you’d like answered?
What recommendations (gear, tips, ???) do you have that you’d pass on to someone starting out in this sort of photography?
What question should I have asked in this list, and what’s your answer to it?
Any help is appreciated. If anyone is interesting in collaborating on this, please let me know.
This is a great place and this is one way I might be able to contribute. Thanks to all of you for what you do here.