Photography is really not my strong point and i find taking pictures of my work for Folksy and Etsy incredibly challenging. They're either slightly blurry, dull looking, too dark or flat. Photoshop always helps to enhance the images, but if they're not much cop to begin with then its not worth a thing. Light is always an issue too. Its a lot easier when the sun is out, but reflection on the frame's glass is often an issue. Then of course if the sun hasn't got it's hat on & i have to use a flash, the light bounces off the glass & obscures the print. Grrr can't win!
Anyway its something that i am trying to improve at, as i'm sure it will make a world of difference to my online shops. I was pretty please with what i came up with today i think they're a big improvement on my previous ones, so i thought i would share some of them with you.
What type of camera are you using? If you're worried about the glass you may need a polarising lens.
ReplyDeleteYou may want to have a look at this post on how a jeweller does their shots using an iPhone and other things (the background can be faked w/ a big piece of paper). http://taptaptap.com/blog/how-to-shoot-jewellery-using-iphone-4-and-modahaus/
Design Event had/are having (can't remember if it's already happened or not) a workshop on product photography. It sold out, but they may do another one.
It's tricky to get the sun to cooperate and natural light does always make for the best shots. I am strongly against flash, it gives you very little control. You try spot lamps.
ReplyDeleteOddly enough I'm going to recommend some LED spotlights. The light diffuses nicely because you can put them at quite a distance from what you're shooting where as the flash will always be too close.
It's a bit whiter than natural light but shouldn't make too much difference if you get the distance right. Don't go for the battery powered ones if you try this, they always go dull too quickly. Another bonus of LED's is they last longer than normal bulbs and don't put out nearly as much heat.
Thanks for the advice, its really helpful.
ReplyDeleteThe camera i'm using is a very (very) bog standard digital Pentax camera, so can't change the lens. Its also about 4 years old. Unfortunately u can't afford anything better at moment.
I might save up for the LED spotlights though. I guess a lamp won't be too expensive.
Gonna have a look at that link you sent me later Vicky, sounds really useful.
Yeah re design event workshop - unfortunately i spent to long thinking about whether or not to attend it due to time. By the time i made my mind up to go, it was sold out. I hope they have another one.
Thanks again both :)