Date   : Thu, 05 Jan 2006 15:54:05 -0000
From   : "David Hunt" <dm.hunt@...>
Subject: Re: Advice on digital photographs

> I bought a Goodmans G-SHOT 3023TFT 3.2 Megapixel camera last year.
> Initially it seems OK - see mdfs.net/HWPS/358front.jpg - but even
> this give me crap photos. Compare most of the pictures at
> mdfs.net/Info/Comp/BBC/pics with John Kortink's picture of the
> GoMMC near the bottom.
> 
> I specifically require the ability to take clear pictures of
> things like GoMMCs - see the attempt at a 32K ROM on the same
> page. I need to be able to take pictures clear enough so you can
> read the writing on an IC.
> 
> Any advice, people?
> 

You need to set the camera focus to MACRO, often shown as a "flower in a
pot" icon. Make sure the camera is firmly mounted, e.g. a tripod.

If you have a timer feature (or even better remote control or cable release)
use that so the recoil of the button doesn't affect the image.

Use manual focus if you have it and if you have manual exposure and manual
aperture, try for a small aperture and a longer exposure. This will increase
the amount of "depth of field" - i.e. how much of the foreground AND
background that are in focus. 

A good ambient light helps a lot, preferably not from a point source but a
diffused light. Arrange the camera to eliminate any of the camera gear from
entering or influencing the shot.

Many of the pictures on your web page are very underexposed, have a look at
<http://www.q-space.com/80186.jpg> a picture of a 80186 co-processor that
was sat outside on a window sill (hence the odd lighting) this was a
non-macro, hand held shot on my trusty old Casio QV-3500EX 
and <http://www.q-space.com/laciepsu.jpg> was a hand held macro shot of a
faulty LaCie d2 PSU showing a bulging capacitor that had become closed
circuit.

Dave ;)