I am crazy for tatting, I love designing jewelry, and I the more I learn, the more I adore bead weaving - but I can't take good pictures of my work to save my life. It's not just the taking of the pictures which I am bad at....I mean, they are really bad - blurry, too dark or too bright, not centered correctly, coloring is way off - you get the idea. But I have serious problems with the staging of the item I'm trying to take a picture of. By staging I mean creating a mood for a piece with props and lighting. I have no eye or creative imagination whatsoever when it comes to that sort of thing. Some people just seem to do that naturally - take a gander over at etsy.com and you'll see what I mean - the front page is a plethora of staging at its finest.
I've always had a problem with my display for art/craft shows as well...the other artists around me have displays that look like they belong in a museum and me...well, my display just looks like it belongs in a flea market. Sigh.
I had a friend come over recently and take some pictures with his camera to see if maybe it was just my camera that was the problem - yeah, right - but these were the only two pictures (and we took A LOT of pictures) that came out even halfway decent, and in the first one I just noticed that one of the earrings is flipped backwards on the ear wire, and of course it bugs me that the ear wires are not straight either.
As in most of my previous posts, I guess I will just continue to scan things on nice paper backgrounds. At least that way they are clear and show the work well, even if I haven't managed to set any kind of a mood in which my work can really shine.
Thanks, by the way, to all those who welcomed me back to blog-land - I'm glad to see there are some people who hung around!
14 comments:
The two photos you posted are MARVELOUS!
If you are challenged by staging using imagery, why not let your words set the mood?
(I know, an image speaks 1,000 words . . . but I bet it won't take you that many words to set the mood!)
I use a light box (a cheap bought one) when I take photos of small items. Found this link for you http://www.studiolighting.net/homemade-light-box-for-product-photography/
A DIY one!!!! Mainly if the tatting is small I use the scanner!!!!
Once in a blue moon I come up with a "pretty" picture. I just don't get the whole light/contrast/focus thing. Thank goodness for digital cameras... I can happily click away and delete the really awful pictures!
As for your Etsy shop... I've never had trouble oohing and aahing over your gorgeous jewelry, so something must be working right!
I think I have told you this before, so I may be repeating myself, but it is warranted!
Yours was one of the very first blogs I noticed when I was learning about what tatting was - before I could tat a thing!
I kept coming back because I thought your work was exquisite!
I noticed nothing but the delicate colour, the intricacy of the stitching , the fabulous design work.
Lighting - who cared! Artistic staging? Irrelevant. I was smitten and encouraged to find out how someone could create such wondrous things with bits of thread and a few beads.
So, camera power is nice and all, but it is the artistry of the tatter that shines through!
Fox : )
Taking good pictures is one thing I need to work on!! I have given up on staging my items but even when I get a good picture and post it, I later notice that there is a dog or cat hair in the picture. Maybe no one else notices but I see it!!!
Love those items! They are beautiful! :)
Aw, Fox, I think that it one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me about my tatting! Thank you!
I mean, I like the scans because they show every detail but I always think I should have another shot - you know, the "artistic shot" that really makes you go wow! And I should have mentioned I'm no good at descriptions either.
Jane, I am going to try that light box thing as soon as I can figure out where to set it up in my house.
And I have the cat hair problem too. :-( (sometimes it's actually woven right in to the tatting!)
I understand what you are saying about the more artistic photos. However there's something to be said for a clear vision of what you are selling. Your stuff always shows well even without the action shots.
I always thought your pictures were good! Sharp and clear, showing the detail of your exquisite work.
Anyway, its a very common thing to have to take dozens of photos in order to get one that turns out. I do that, too.
First, I was delighted to see another post; but then I had to go back to the top to make certain it was YOUR blog I was reading!! Poor photos?? Poor staging??? Poor display at shows????
"Flea market??" No way on the planet!!!!
Your display has ALWAYS blown me away each time I've seen it! VERY ELEGANT - like walking into a ritzy jewelry store. And your blog photos, as well as your tatting, are perfection and always have been! There's nothing wrong with props and staging, but your gorgeous jewelry speaks for itself!
I hope we can see you again at one of your shows this year!
Exquisite tatting. I love your two new creations.
I guess it's a matter of perspective. Here I thought it was as obvious to everyone as it was to me that my pictures are just stinky. LOL
Kathy - you just let me know when and where and I'll see that you get some tickets. The one in DE at the end of this month is a gorgeous show - the facility is fabulous (indoors) and of course the PA Guild puts on a top notch show, artist-wise. I highly recommend it.
Your photos are gorgeous. But I also want to say that your tatting is good enough to stand on its own. Sometimes all the staging just distracts from the piece. When I go to etsy, I prefer several shots so I can get a good look at something from all angles, not just the "prettiest". The way an item is photographed can showcase it - or hide flaws, so I don't put a lot of stock in too many props or photography tricks. Show the item as clearly as you can. That's the most important part - as well as the description.
Lovely photo of gorgeous earrings.
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