Canon Rebel XT settings

[Howieem]

I have a Canon Rebel XT  with a Canon EF-5 18-55mm lens, and I'm needing some help on how to set up the camera to take quality photographs of small items for resale on the internet.  I have a light box and 2 tungston lights, but I'm having a hard time getting a clear sharp picture with a white background.  Right now I'm trying to take photos of ballpoint pens. Any help would be really appreciated.  Thanks

[Waddizzle · Accepted solution]

If you are having trouble getting sharp pictures, you could be having issues with DOF, or Depth Of Field, which describes the range of distances from the camera that subjects are in sharp focus.  Taking photos of "products", like pens, begins to cross the line into macro photography, which is the art of photographing the very small.

http://digital-photography-school.com/top-5-tips-on-how-to-photograph-food/

http://digital-photography-school.com/macro-photography-for-beginners-part-1/

Remember, smaller apertures will give you greater DOF, but may require more light.  You will get your sharpest photos with the lowest ISO setting, which may also require more light.  Finally, it is okay to take a long exposure of stationary objects.  Your camera should be able to do it for you in Av mode, constant aperture mode, with ISO set to 100.

[kvbarkley]

To add to Waddizzle's excellent advice, you should get a tripod so you know the camera is holding still.

[Waddizzle]

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@kvbarkley wrote:

To add to Waddizzle's excellent advice, you should get a tripod so you know the camera is holding still.

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HA.  I assumed a tripod as a given.  LOL.

[Howieem]

Thanks Waddizzle. I'll check into this area of photography, and use your ideas. I really appreciate your answer, and quick response. If I'm still having problems, I'll try another post. Thanks again to you and to kybarkley.