Monday, March 21, 2011

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! :)

10 comments:

Ambra said...

lol - Oh, Becky, you are so funny! I was with you every step of the way, apart from the big dog - I have two small ones :)

thesoapsister said...

Hi Ambra,
I'm glad....(or maybe sorry for you) that you can relate! LOL! I forgot to mention that I'm usually doing this all in my pajamas, or shivering without a coat 'cause "it'll just take a minute"....barefooted....oh, and in the spring and summer months there's the occasional "spider dance" when I run into a web -oh so professional! :D

cocobong said...

we need to video this :)
(and thanks so much for the mention)

Amy said...

Oh, I can SO relate! ...but without the dogs to add to the fun. And I have the tendency to realize that photography conditions have been perfect all day at dusk when its too late. I'm sure the neighbors wonder about me when they see me run out on my porch with a camera in freezing temps.

thesoapsister said...

LOL! I think it must be* very* amusing to live next to a soap maker! My neighbors have seen some sights, that's for sure! So nice to hear that I'm not alone in my antics! :D

Amy Warden said...

Too funny! I like to carry the soaps, the camera, perhaps a few extra lamps, some props and background papers along with the tape to hold them up...I find that our bathroom has the best natural light, so most of my photos are taken on the edge of our tub. Secret revealed.

elizabeth said...

I bought your soap at Eckert's over the weekend when I was visiting my parents in Belleville. I'm a soapmaker myself, and I loved the scent of your orange poppyseed soap! I also love your packaging. Great job!

thesoapsister said...

Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks so much for your comment and for trying my soap! I hope you enjoy it. :) Yes, I love that fragrance too....I'm hoping I can recreate it in the next batch. I write everything down, just in case I come up with a new soap scent that I really like -and this is one of those soaps!
p.s. love your website, I plan on exploring it more soon...my Mom and Grandmas canned lots of fruits and veggies, but I've never gotten up the nerve to try -only freezing stuff so far. :)

Michelle said...

This photo is beautiful and I love the different colour soaps.

thesoapsister said...

Thanks Michelle, I'm hoping to have luck in the next few days with more "soap photography" :)