What You'll Learn
PHOTOGRAPH IT
The best way to preserve your pumpkin is to take a good picture of it. But photographing lighted objects can be tricky. Eric Wilhelm, CEO of Instructables.com, who photographs his own jack-o'-lanterns every year, says there are three keys to the perfect capture: a steady camera, longer than usual exposure times (he photographs his carvings using 0.8 to 2.5 seconds of exposure time), and no flash (image 4). A tripod is best for keeping the camera steady, because even the slightest movement will blur your image. But if you're just going to put the camera on a table or other surface, Wilhelm advises using the delayed shutter function (or timer) to give the camera a chance to stop shaking after you hit the button and before the picture is taken.
Wilhelm also recommends eliminating any background light. Minimal light sources in front of the pumpkin can be helpful, though. "I photograph in a dark room with two side-mounted, low-wattage flood lights pointing toward reflective surfaces," Granata adds (image 5). This gives the pumpkin a presence in the photo, as opposed to shooting a lit carving in total darkness.
Remember to enter our annual Pumpkin-Carving Contest. Enter from now until October 20th. Vote October 21st to October 28th. Winners will be announced at thisoldhouse.com on October 29th.
The best way to preserve your pumpkin is to take a good picture of it. But photographing lighted objects can be tricky. Eric Wilhelm, CEO of Instructables.com, who photographs his own jack-o'-lanterns every year, says there are three keys to the perfect capture: a steady camera, longer than usual exposure times (he photographs his carvings using 0.8 to 2.5 seconds of exposure time), and no flash (image 4). A tripod is best for keeping the camera steady, because even the slightest movement will blur your image. But if you're just going to put the camera on a table or other surface, Wilhelm advises using the delayed shutter function (or timer) to give the camera a chance to stop shaking after you hit the button and before the picture is taken.
Wilhelm also recommends eliminating any background light. Minimal light sources in front of the pumpkin can be helpful, though. "I photograph in a dark room with two side-mounted, low-wattage flood lights pointing toward reflective surfaces," Granata adds (image 5). This gives the pumpkin a presence in the photo, as opposed to shooting a lit carving in total darkness.
Remember to enter our annual Pumpkin-Carving Contest. Enter from now until October 20th. Vote October 21st to October 28th. Winners will be announced at thisoldhouse.com on October 29th.
Contribute to This Story Below