Anyone smart with taking pictures..i need helpppp?

Question

i want to take a picture like this one i saw its this girl holding a fortune cookie fortune up to the camera its taking up most of the picture then you can see her face Little in the back..

but the problem is, is that when i go that close without a flash on the fortune gets blurry but then when i put the flash on its so bright it makes the paper totally white. someone help me! :(

i tried for 2 hours today and i can't get one that looks good. anyone have any idea? i used the 80 cm or closer feature that didn't help it was still blury. helppp

Answer 1

Probably done with a fish eye lens...that has a large depth of field.

Answer 2

The other respondents offer you some sound advice ... however, if you decide to go outside for the natural light you run the risk of some blurring because of the fortune cookie being held (hand shake or movement) ... a flash, because of the short (milliseconds) burst, in effect actually freezes the moment and regardless of hand shake/movement, you will minimize blur.

As such, I suggest that you remain indoors and "stage" the shot using your flash ... but instead of directing your flash at the subject, you do one (or all -for multiple takes) of the following:

(1) Bounce your flash off the ceiling or a wall -the ceiling is typically the best because most ceilings are white ... the "bouncing" of the flash (instead of the direct flash) diffuses the brightness and gives a very natural look to the subject.

or,

(2) Cover your flash with a white handkerchief ... experience with different thicknesses of the handkerchief covering your flash head (e.g. try one shot with just one layer over the flash; another shot that has the hankerchief doubled, etc).

or,

(3) Use a "White" umbrella to bounce the flash into the umbrella (yes, the flash head would be face into the umbrella) and allow the diffused light from the flash bouncing off the inside of the umbrella to light your subject in a smooth (as opposed to harsh) light.   You will have to adjust the degree (typically 90 degrees off to the side of the main subject) of the umbrella relative to your subject ... the idea is to ensure the light bouncing off the inside of the umbrella bounces out to your subject.

For your convenience I've provided a couple of web sites below that actually show you how to use a flash/umbrella set up.  

Have fun and, if you don't mind, let me know how you succeed ... I'd love to see the pics.

Answer 3

I see your problem. I am assuming you have a point and shoot camera with limited manual features. You don't get close with the camera to achieve a picture like that you actually use the zoom and zoom in as far as your camera will zoom and then step back until you can see the fortune cookie in the frame and then make sure your camera is set on macro mode and focous on the fortune cookie and don't use the flash instead use natural light like outside on a cloudy day or outside in the shade!! Also have someone else hold the cookie well you take the picture!!

Answer 4

i just say : do not use the flash

just go in a sunny room or a room with a good light and use the macro mode. if you use it the object that you are holding close to the lens will not get blurry.

Answer 5

If your camera has macro setting, try that. it will focus in on something close, then somewhat blur the background. make sure there is no zoom or flash.

Answer 6

try not to use the flash and take the picture slowly. (slow speed gives more depth of field) Focus on the close object and the extra time will bring the background into focus but softer. Take many pics and extend the time you shoot for each time until you get it right

Answer 7

you need a slr camera to do that. look into getting a nikon d40

Answer 8

Perki88 is the only one with the right answer. Its either a fisheye or an ultra wide angle lens to get the picture you describe. An f-stop of f11 or f16 was probably used.

Thumbs up for Perki88.

EDIT: Contrary to Sheik, shutter speed has NOTHING to do with depth of field. Depth of field is completely controlled by the aperture and lens focal length. Example:

A 16mm lens at f16 and focused at 6' will yield everything from 1' 6" to infinity in focus.

A 21mm lens at f16 and focused to 6' will yield everything from 2' 2" to infinity in focus.

A 100mm lens at f16 and focused to 6' will yield everything from 5' 6 1/2" to 6' 6 3/8" in focus.

The shutter speed is irrelevant unless you're  shooting sports/action or gets too slow to hand-hold.

Answer 9

What kind of camera/lens arrangement are you using?  You will need something that has a very small aperture (large f number, like f/16).  Focus on the close object and try with smaller apertures until both the fortune and face are in focus.

Answer 10

don't use flash!

you might have to go outside in natural light to do it, and have a veryyy steady hand, but that's about the only way you can do it with such a bright flash.