If you’re interested in photographing playing cards, this article is for you.
Playing cards have a rich history and an interesting visual vocabulary. They are used to play games, but they also have a lot of other uses that go beyond their primary function.
For example, playing cards are often used as a storytelling device in movies, TV shows and novels. They can be used to add some extra visual interest to any image or design.
In this article, we’ll show you how to photograph playing cards using different lighting techniques and equipment.
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How do you photograph playing cards?
The answer is a matter of finding the right card combination, camera setting and camera technique to create an image that looks its best. So, how should you set up a photo shoot to get great photos of playing cards?
Choose the right camera
The first consideration is the size of your camera sensor. Small sensors like those on point-and-shoot cameras generally produce a low-quality image, whereas larger sensors like those found in DSLR cameras produce a sharper, more detailed picture. If you’re shooting playing cards with a small sensor, the only way you’ll be able to capture the details is to use a tripod and shoot at the lowest possible shutter speed. This will stop motion blur that is created by the movement of the cards. A higher shutter speed will blur the cards, so it’s best to experiment using a fast lens. The ideal situation is to use a DSLR camera with a larger sensor and a wide angle lens. The aperture of the lens should be wide open to gather as much light as possible. It’s best to keep the ISO as low as possible to avoid having to increase the brightness of the card to make it appear white. As for the lighting conditions, a strong, bright light is needed to balance out the cards, and a diffuse, soft light would be more flattering. If you have a flash, use it to fill the shadows on the cards.
The next step is to choose your subject.
If you want to photograph playing cards, you don’t necessarily need to get them all together at once — you can photograph them individually or in small groups as well. If you want to use multiple decks in one image, then it’s best not to mix up the colors or designs too much. You can use one deck with two different colors on each side (for example, black on one side and red on the other) or two different decks with matching designs on each side (such as hearts versus spades).
Once you’ve chosen your deck(s), set up your camera on a tripod if possible — this’ll help ensure that all your photos will be taken at the same angle and distance from the subject. Then set up some lighting so that there’s enough light for good exposure but not so much that it bleaches out highlights or makes shadows too dark.
To photograph playing cards, you need a camera that can take macro shots. The best way to do this is with a DSLR and a macro lens. If you don’t have one, you can use your phone or digital camera in macro mode. You’ll also need some lights to make sure the cards are well lit.
Take advantage of the color saturation.
Playing cards come in all sorts of colors, so use this opportunity to get creative with them. Play with different color combinations and see what you can come up with!
Use backlighting for dramatic effect.
Backlighting can make your photos look more professional, especially if you’re using a white background behind the cards. You could even use backlighting as an element in your shot by adding it as a rim light around the edges of each card or group of cards. This will make them look more 3D than they would otherwise.
Try out macro photography with playing cards.
Macro photography involves taking close-up photos that show details at high magnification levels — like images taken through a microscope lens! Macro shots can be very interesting because they capture parts that we don’t normally see on a daily basis.
Use a tripod
Use a tripod and remote trigger if possible – Playing cards are small, so they’re more prone to camera shake than larger subjects. You’ll get better results if you use a tripod and remote trigger so that you can eliminate any camera shake completely.
Shoot in RAW
Shoot RAW – Playing cards have many colors on them, with varying shades and tones depending on how the light hits them and how much wear they’ve had over time (which will depend on whether they’re new or used). The best way to capture these subtle differences is by shooting in RAW format — this gives your camera’s sensor more information about what exactly is going on with your scene before it processes the image into JPEG format, allowing it
Lighting
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of photographing playing cards. The light hitting the cards should be soft with no shadows or harsh reflections, so use diffused natural light or an artificial light source that mimics natural light (like an LED panel).
You can use a reflector as fill light if necessary. You don’t have to worry too much about overexposing the card because it’s usually white or very light in color. If you use flash or strobe lighting, try to keep it off-camera so that it doesn’t affect your image quality.
Take advantage of natural lighting as much as possible because artificial light tends to cause harsh shadows and unflattering highlights in photos of playing cards.
Take multiple photos
Take multiple photos of your playing card so that you have options when it comes time to edit them later. This will allow you to choose the best shot without having to spend time editing out unwanted elements like hands or other distractions that may not be part of your intended subjects.
Try different angles
Get creative with angles and perspectives! Try taking photos from below, above or at an angle. You could even try taking pictures of just one side of the card instead of a full shot of the entire deck!
Pay attention to the background
Cards need not be shot against a plain white background — they can be used in conjunction with other objects or props to create interesting compositions. You can use playing cards as embellishments on handmade items such as greeting cards or scrapbooks, or you can use them as part of a larger scene with other people (such as poker night).
The background should be simple and not distracting. You want to focus on your subject, not the background. A plain white background works well for playing cards because it’s easy to light evenly and it doesn’t distract from the subject (the card itself). It’s also easy to change the background later if needed — just throw a piece of cardboard behind your model and shoot again!
Use depth
Use a shallow depth of field to highlight the details on your card. The best way to do this is to use an aperture setting between f/1.8 and f/2.8, which will give you a narrow depth of field and make it easier to get the entire card in focus at one time.
White balance carefully
Playing cards are usually white on both sides, with only a few colors printed on them (often black). This makes it difficult to get an accurate white balance on the camera or in post-processing because there isn’t much contrast between light and dark areas on the card.
FAQ
What are the images on playing cards called?
The images on playing cards are typically called suits. They are typically called clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades, and tarot cards.
Are playing card images copyrighted?
There is no definitive answer to this question as each copyrighted work is unique. Generally speaking, images that are used to represent cards in a game, such as Ace of Spades, King of Clubs, and Queen of Diamonds, would likely be considered copyrighted.
Playing Card Photography Ideas
