Taking Portfolio Pictures

My work doesn't need anymore help from the camera to look sub-par, does anyone have any suggestions as far as camera settings, lighting, background color etc to take a more accurate picture, especially an unhealed pic on a customer that may or may not come back in a timely manner to get a healed photo. I was a graphic designer and understand photo-correction via levels and adjustments on PS but I feel that a better starting point would help put my best foot forward. I hope i'm not being redundant, I've checked the threads to and didnt see anything addressing this. I've had many people say many different things, I figure many people probably have similar issues and could benefit from this. Or maybe I just need a photography class, i dont know. Thanks, Brian

What aperture are you using? Shutter speed? ISO? White balance? Are you using a point and shoot camera or a DSLR? Are you shooting in RAW or compressing to JPEG or TIFF? I'm a tattoo artist, but, I also have a degree in photography. If you can explain the EXACT problem you're having with your shots, I may be able to help. You can email me if you'd like. [email removed] If you attach some pics and explain the problem, I'm sure I can help you get better shots for your portfolio. As a rule though, I don't photoshop my portfolio pics. Adjusting the lighting and such in RAW is okay, but, I never mess with the actual pic itself.

I'm not sure where you're located but if you can get to the Pardise Tattoo Gathering in Hancock, MA I would suggest taking Mario Rosenau's Photography Seminar on September 18 12-2. The description is as follows: “The basics of taking great, not just good, pictures of your tattoos” This seminar will cover basic skills needed to take professional clear pictures and in return build more clientele. It will cover picking out the right camera for your needs, how to edit your photos, and how to properly present your work. I will also go over tips and tricks for taking a photo when you are on the road traveling and all you have is that one chance to capture that perfect shot. It will also include a book and troubleshooting question and answer session. If you have a camera feel free to bring it along! $100 Secure your space with a $25 deposit. For more details check out www.tattoogathering.com

I'm using a kodak easyshare z730 digital camera. I use the setting for taking pictures within 28 inches ( the little flower icon). I also take one with a flash in the automatic mode to see which is better. With the flash on a fresh pic obviously light glare makes it almost useless. I try and take them outside, time and light permitting. I convert them to jpeg. A few of the major problems seem to be there's a slight motion blur if I don't use flash. Also everything becomes muted and the contrast goes right out the window. It almost looks like there's a gray tint over the entire photo. In photoshop I just run the auto contrast, levels, I never touch the image or even convert it into a photoshop file, i really just want the picture to look like the tattoo, haha. I feel very ignorant when it comes to this aspect. In regards to the Paradise event, Mary, I'm actually in the process of relocating from Florida to New York and I start at my new shop that weekend. Thanks for the responses. Brian