What's best way to get clear close up photos of white clothing tags?

Question

I just started an eBay business where I auction gently used men's high end designer clothing. I try to photograph the label to prove it's authenticity but when the label is white with say Black lettering, I usually get a reflection and not a good photo. I have tried taking the photo inside with direct sunlight and in a room with no direct sunlight just the lamps. I have tried turning off the flash. Nothing seems to work.

I am using a Kodak Easy Share C300 camera with 3.2 megapixels. Do I need a better camera with more megapixels?

Answer 1

Well I have a Kodak EasyShare CX6330 and what I would do is go into the menu and tab down to the +- symbol, click it and set it to a - number. That will under expose your picture, but that tag should be good. If your camera has selectable focus (with mine you have to have it in live preview, then press the shutter button halfway a few times and it will show a red [ ] around what its focussing on) then try to just focus on that tag since thats what your having problems with. And do it in a somewhat brightly lit room. You'd be amazed at what cameras think is low light.

Answer 2

Try using a grey card. You can buy these at any pro camera shop and what it does is lets you get the perfect exposure to the light you are in and not over compensate for the white of the tag. Do go outside at the time of day where the sun is not too harsh such as 2 or 3 pm if you live in the north 4 or 5 if you live closer to the equator. But, stay out of direct sunlight. Put the tag on the grey card and frame it so that at least 3/4 of your shot is grey card. This should give you the perfect exposure. (Theoretically speaking).

Answer 3

Mount the camera on a tripod.
Shoot outside in shade (not sunlight) or indoors with indirect light
Do not use a flash


1) The number of pixels you have is plenty for this purpose.
2) If you can manually set the white balance, do that (see your instruction book)
3) If you can manually increase the exposure, do that. Experiment to see what gives the best exposure setting

Answer 4

The camera's exposure meter is trying to convert your tags into a "grey" image. If the camera has a manual exposure setting you should change to that and try exposing by adjusting the shutter speed/aperture (f Stop). Once you find a setting that works for you WRITE IT DOWN! It should work the same for most tags in the same light.

If you camera doesn't have manual adjustments see if it has a document setting and use that.

You do not need more mega pixel's but you may need a camera that allows you to set exposure manually.

P.S. email me if you need more help...

Answer 5

in a bright room take the pic with out the flash.