It used to be that I would always scan my cards and other creations. But then I started to notice that lots of people were taking beautiful photographs of their creations and I thought that looked better than what I was doing. I don’t have a fancy camera, so for a while every snapshot I tried to take was a blurry mess! Obviously, as you can see, I finally discovered how to take nice pictures with our camera (with the aid of some different camera settings and a tripod). But when I ran across a scan of this Best Blossoms card, I could help but wonder… was my original scanning method just fine–maybe even better than my photographic efforts?
The most important thing is getting to see the card in it’s best light, right? So, now I want to know your opinion! Tell me which look do you prefer?
For your examination, I present to you:
Sample 1:
Sample 2:
Copyright Stampin’ Up! 1990-2007
Feel free to leave me a comment as to which one you like better and why. I’m curious as to what everyone’s opinion is…
I’m curious as to what colors you used on the card - the card base in particular looks so different in the picture vs. the scan, so knowing what the actual colors are would make it easier for me to decide which I prefer.
I agree with Trish – wow, the color difference is amazing! The white paper looks almost pink in the photo. BUT, the photo looks so professional. What kind of lighting did you use in the photo? Love the card, though! I like your sense of creativity.
I like both. The artistic value of the photo is lovely, but the color and detail in the scan seems better. I’m curious about the colors too, which differ between the two images (moss vs. celery; caribbean vs. bashful)?? Great job either way though!
I think the background with the books just makes the cards pop… it’s just a much nicer presentation than a scan.
I will always prefer a photograph over a scan anyday. The lighting is better (if photographed in natural light) and you can “set your stage” with a photograph, which I always find appealing. I think you did a very good job with your photos and the books. Nice backdrop!
Photos are better when taken during the day in natural light…just something I learned during my own trial and error process. I voted for the photo…the scan looks so washed out. Just my two cents. BTW, cute card!
I like the sample 2 card as I feel it shows the colors better. I prefer scans of my cards even though I have an excellent camera. The scans to me are perfect unless it’s a glittered card or something like that. Sometimes scanning it at a higher resolution helps too.
Oh I have this very same dilemma ( sp ). Sometimes the photos make it look super good, and then sometimes the scanner does a better job.
Trying to get the very best result has been on my mind lately too. Am thinking I need to buy a couple of lamps to take photos like the professionals do - but then I’d have to outlay money that could go on more stamps. LOL.
In between time I am switching between photos and scanning. LOL.
The photos give more dimension to the cards. And you can change the feel of the photo based on what you photograph it with. I have photographed mine flat standing over the top but when you set it up as a display card, it just looks so much better. BTW-Micheals ahs all their display easels on sale thru Saturday. I bought 4-black, gold,clear and large for pages-the others are smaller for cards. Spent less than 6 bucks.
I like the first one the best, but I don’t know if it is the photo or the scan. The colors stand out better on the first card.
I can’t remember if you are using Photoshop or something else — but don’t forget you can also enhance the lighting a little bit, too, for the photos. I definitely prefer the photo to the scan.
For overall presentation, the photo wins hands down, but I had to vote for the scan because the color was better and I could figure out how to reproduce it. Great card!
I’m not sure that this is a great example to compare to. The scanned card in this example is light colors, and it gets lots against the white background of the blog. Put a darker sheet behind your scan for a fairer comparison, or use an example with a darker cardstock. When I look in galleries, I like that I can see much more of the details from the thumbnail on a scanned card. But photos can show dimension and sparkle, which many times is lost in a scan.
I like sample #2. I think is all depends on the quality scanner you have. I have a crappy scanner so I take pictures. I have freinds that have very good scanners and the cards look beautiful. i also think it depends on the know how of working with the features of the computer, camera, and scanner.
Reenee
I think that the picture is much better than the scan. I love the way you present it with the books behind the card. Also, your cards are so dimensional that scanning them flattens the dimension. KWIM? I find that when I take pictures though I do have to edit them in Photoshop elements to get a better contrast, color etc. My camera usually leaves a bluish cast. Probably the white balance setting. You do awesome work.
Do you have an OTT or natural light? For this particular card, I think that the scan really shows the color much better but the photo looks more professional and dimensional. I know when I take photos I use my OTT lite to shine on the card and I also use the close-up setting on my camera (usually denoted by a flower symbol). I think if you try the OTT or natural light, the colors would show up much better.
I love your blog,
Christine
I lvoe the look of photographs. Looks much more real to me for some reason.
Pix are just better than scans…though Scans are so much easier for me personally! Scans often don’t show the colors correctly. Thanks for all your hard work.
I think photo is better. When I take pictures of my cards, I always do it in natural light - no flash, near a window without any direct light shining through the window. I found the mornings are the best time for natural lighting. I also set my camera on “macro” so you can take a close up picture without the blurry result. A great photo editing program helps for any needed adjustment such brightness, contrast, and such.