Behind the Scenes... "blonde natural soap photography 101"

Thanks to everyone whe has complimented my natural soap photos recently!  I can say that I am much happier with my results of late.  However....

I must give credit where credit is due: Cocobong is the Master Instructor when it comes to soap photography (of course, she is an artist....for real -I'm sure that helps, eh?) -I give her all the credit for improving the quality of my photos! (Not only does she know what to do to get quality shots, she's willing to share her knowledge with the rest of us.  Thank You, C'bong!)

 However, the Soap Sister is capable of making even the simplest, easy-to-follow instructions into a "caper"....this is my life as a "blonder-than-I-pay-to-be -Frahtz"   I don't mean to be this way....but as I get older, I've come to:  1. Notice it  2. Be amused at it  and 3. Realize that most folks don't necessarily do things in quite this manner.....maybe it's the left-handed thing, too?   So, with #3 in mind, I thought I would give you a small peek at how it typically  goes at my house when it's "picture day": 

 1. Gather soap & camera and proceed to the best natural lighting...

 "Oh look! It's gray and overcast (yay!) -time to take some pictures!" "Hmmmm, I think I could get a better one ofmy natural Lavender Oatmeal soap...." "Oh, and that new (fill in the blank) soap....I really should do that one, too" O.K....here we go (with hands over-filled with soap).....now where's that stupid camera? I saw it the other day....Oh there it is....I can carry it too" Oh rats! I dropped the Lavender.....rats again! I messed up that corner....oh we'll, we'll use that one here at the house. Better get another one....(I'm now fumbling with the sliding glass door with my free hand, balancing soaps & camera in the other while being nearly trampled by an 85 lb. dog on my way to the patio....fill in dialog with expletives regarding said dog)

 2. Arrange soap on a plain white background...

 "O.K -whew, made it without dropping any more soap!"   "Eeeeew! What's that on my shelf??? Better get the Windex! Hey! (to the dog) Come back here...you stay in your own yard! O.K....here we go....oh yeah, Windex....There!  That's better....o.k....now let's take some pictures!"

 3. Adjust "exposure compensation"... even on my little 'point-and-shoot'-type camera (to lighten things up a bit) -never fear -I found this on my camera's "menu" after C'bong told me what I needed to do, didn't even need to hunt down the manual!

 "O.K. Becky, here we go....that looks good! (here's where visions run through my head of irresistable natural soap listings on my site)  (click....flash!) Dang, I thought I turned that flash off....o.k let's try again....click (no flash)....hmmm, that doesn't look too good.....kinda dark...oh, I forgot the exposure comp.....adjust adjust....click (no flash again) boy that's a boring shot....

 4. Remember Cocobong's simple (yet effective) instructions: "get in close & think of the angles"

 "Well of course it's boring....you forgot the angles (I rearrange the soap)....that's not it either.....(I rearrange again)...hmmm....that's better (click).......too far away...zoom zoom, remember?  Oh yeah, think Mazda, Mazda, Mazda.....(zoom - click)  Ah yes! That's the one....I'll have to crop out that corner......that's alright, though!  Success!  Big Smile!   Time to go inside and crop....(faint barking of neighbor dogs)    Oh shoot, where's that DOG???    Hey!  Hey!   Yes YOU!   Get OVER here!"  I KNOW you HEAR me!  HEY!

And you thought you had issues!  LOL!   :D Happy Soap Photos, everyone!

p.s. My apologies to all the brilliant blondes out there....I think it's the peroxide that makes me this way! :)