About craft photography

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"I like to create atmosphere in the photographs of my jewelry. That way customer could sense the story behind the piece. And for me, it's another way of expressing myself. I'm not sure if I enjoy more making or photographing jewelry :)" - twistedjewelry


I am not a crafter, but what I do know is this: the compositional element of the photograph of your craft is a crucial part of your presentation. There is a plethora of crafters just on deviantArt which can make it difficult to be noticed. Which is why it is absolutely necessary to not neglect your artisan craft display, especially if you've spent hours, days, weeks or even months making it!

One of the advantages when photographing artisan crafts is that, unlike with animals, plants and nature photography for instance, you are in complete control of the situation. So don’t hesitate to think creatively and take the time to capture your craft the best way possible. You don’t need to have a fancy camera or even a studio to make beautiful photographs of your amazing work! :D (Big Grin)

Here are some simple tips that can help you out:

:bulletblue: Take several photographs

Do you (or someone you know) refuse to be photographed in a particular angle? Causing you (or the photographer) to take the photograph over and over until you're happy with the result? Well, it is exactly the same with artisan craft photography. Experiment: try different angles, different lighting, close up, a bit more distance, and so on. Keep shooting until you’re fully satisfied. My experience is that I often take more than 50 photographs of one droplet until I find the one photograph that I absolutely love; which is tiring, but totally worth it. Just take your time.

  Rabbits by Shymori  BF Bumblebee - 02 by ArtByCRiley  Mini Garden 2 by SpankTB

"When I take photos of my crafts, I like to know that people can get a feel of what they are viewing, since I work a lot with small flowers I like to know that the colours are being shown correctly, with jewellery that small details can be seen. From a personal point, if I am purchasing something from a crafter then a better looking image will draw me to the product more" - Akelamoonstone

:bulletblue: Let there be light

Using a flash might be a good idea, however, a flash that is too strong or a direct flash could ruin your photograph. This is particularly true if your craft has different materials, different colours or or if you are using a shiny background, it could create some unflattering effects. You could use these things, of course, but use them wisely. For instance, use something to diffuse the light to prevent a hard contrast.
It helps to experiment: use a lightbox, with flash, without flash, during daylight, natural light, indoors, outdoors... see which fits your craft the best!
 
"How my work is presented is important not only on dA, but across many web outlets. The two main reasons I try to photograph my work the way I do are as follows: I want to capture the most amount of detail I can *truthfully* since most of my work I sell. I want my customers to know exactly what they're getting. My work is handmade, I want to show off where my hands have worked the materials as opposed to trying to present something 'perfect'. I want to set a mood for my work. I like to shoot outside, using natural elements as my backdrop. Attaching a mood or emotion to a piece by use of light and setting can make a potential customer view the work right off as something more than a nice bead or hunk of stone and silver." - copperrein


:bulletblue: Do a bit of cleaning
Yes, you heard me. Not your whole house though (I mean, you can too :shifty:) but at the very least, clean the place where you want to photograph your craft. Do you want to take a photograph of your handmade doll on your desk? Then make sure that it’s clean beforehand.

Make sure that the contrast between the background and your craft is harmonious. For instance, if your item has several colours, avoid using a colourful background, as your craft may not stand out as well as you'd like. You can use a monochromatic background instead (black and/or white). Aww


                         Alice in Wonderland Vintage Insp Disneybound Skirt by DarlingArmy Rose Key by TimeTurbine   Rapunzel OOAK doll by RYfactory

"While using a camera to shoot in RAW is what saved me (so I can adjust exposure and whatnot afterwards since I'm definitely not a photographer), there are a few simple tips you could use with a cell phone or smaller digital camera. Find a clean space to photograph your work that's free of clutter, posters, blemished, etc. The focus is your work, so display it loud and proud with no distractions! Try shooting with indirect natural lighting for true colors and bright images or, if your background is portable, take it outside if the sun in hidden behind some light cloudcover. This will lead to cleaner images with less noise. Take your time to find the perfect combination of light and background even if it means that you need to wait until the next day to take the picture! You took time creating your art, so take time to photograph it correctly so others can see every exquisite detail." - DarlingArmy

:bulletblue: Stabilization, please!
A slight imbalance or a movement can lower the quality of your work in terms of focus and sharpness. So, brace yourself and your camera/phone! Keep your arms close to your body and find a position that suits you best. You can also use stable surfaces to take your photographs - like a chair or a table. 
Other tips: use a tripod or a camera/phone holder (if you have one), try kneeling or sitting (as long as it leaves you comfortable), hold your camera/phone firmly (but not too tightly), and use both hands!


:bulletblue: Show your craft in its natural environment
Place your craft in a place where the viewer can imagine its use. 
Do you make jewellery or cosplay costumes? Then, why not use a model? If you choose to work with a model, remember that the focus must be on your craft, not the other items or the models.

Verdigris by twistedjewelry <da:thumb id="608014964"/> Tanhamon - parrot girl (full fursuit) - 2 by MiriamBast

"Use natural light as much as possible, mainly since it wont take away from your subject and there won't be any loss of colour. Clean white backgrounds are good for showing off your piece. A tripod or a steady surface can help you get the image you want. Stay natural, if you're selling a necklace then photograph it on a model so that people can see how it looks" - Akelamoonstone

:bulletblue: Are close ups absolutely necessary?
Yes and no - even though it is undeniable that close up shots give you the opportunity to show great detail of your work, some of the great impact from your work can also come from a full view of your craft. So, don’t forget to take the big picture!
If you can’t decide which one is best and want to show some of them, you can make collages. ;) (Wink)


 "When choosing a craft to show as a DD, you want it to be clearly photographed, so you can see the details, presented nicely, and not have a background that is too cluttered. You want the focus to be on the piece, not what is behind or around it. It needs to stand out, and make people want to look closer." - Erzsabet, Former Artisan Craft CV

:bulletblue: Don’t neglect the post processing part!
Taking the photograph was the first step. You can process your photograph using editing software, see the lighting, crop it, frame it, make a collage, add a watermark (not too big though)… Post-processing can be very helpful if you wish to enhance your photographs but it is not obligatory. But if you do decide to edit them, just like you've spent some time making your craft and taking your photographs, take the time to edit them. 
You can also use filters and effects on your photographs, as long as you don’t overdo it. 

  Allow me to pour you a cup of Easter by Akelamoonstone Gingerbread Cookie for Graduation by AngelDarky susi by da-bu-di-bu-da

"Accurately photographing my craft wasn't important to me starting out but, as my business and reputation grew, I started to become more conscious about how I was displaying my work. I had been unexpectedly featured in Game Informer magazine when I was first starting out which launched my business very quickly. Since I was so busy trying to keep up with orders from the feature, I would just throw the clothes on a dressform, take a photo with my camera in a dark room with no natural light, and package the design up. Looking back, I'm actually quite embarrassed how little effort I put into making my work look nice. Although I'm still a beginner, using a DSLR and some very mild Lightroom or Photoshop has greatly improved the photographs of my work. Since those of use who create things with textiles and our hands put so much amount of work into one piece, we should take photos that accurately depict the work we've spent so long to create." - DarlingArmy

:bulletblue: And last but not least….Ask for help!

Just because you ask for help doesn't mean that you’re weak, it just means that you’re willing to learn and improve. :D (Big Grin)
So don’t hesitate to ask for feedback about your photographs.
There are a few different ways: you can ask for your relatives' advice and feedback and you can also do some research on the internet and deviantArt!

Furthermore, why not ask someone else (a relative, eventually) to take photographs for you? A very good friend of mine, who is a crafter, asked for my help more than once in order to take photographs of her handmade clothes for her website, and we ended up collaborating together. So, ask away!


" - Clean and prepare your stuff.
-Consider the pattern and color in your work. You want a background that doesn't make the piece get lost and blend in. You have something bright and shiny consisting of one color? Pick something drab or black. This will vary depend on colors but the point is to MAKE THE PIECE POP. Have something more earthy and texture, choose a background with less detail and a contrasting, yet not too bright, color.
-Shoot outside just after dawn or just before dusk for the moody shots. Shoot during the day when it's overcast. You want to avoid harsh shadows and reflections. If you have an indoor light tent or box, use a tripod and try a variety of bases. Black acrylic (clean of all dust and scratches) makes for an amazing black mirror below the piece which will result in a dimmed reflection that looks very professional without being so prominent it looks as if it's a part of the work.
-Shoot at least one photo for scale. Put something in the photo so the intended audience has a real idea of how big a piece is. Sure, still list the dimensions, but trust me...customers LOVE 'banana for scale' photos.
-White balance is important! This will help you get the true-to-life colors in post process. Here's how I do it (which isn't the most professional way, but it works): I compose my shots in camera to be cropped during editing. As a result, I always have a corner of the photo I know wont be in the final photo. I put a little piece of white card in this corner and take the shot. Then when I load everything into Photoshop's RAW interface, I just have to click on that white area with the 'White Balance Eyedropper'. Boom...my colors are near perfect even if my screen isn't calibrated." - copperrein


:bulletblue: Other things you need to know
:iconphotographyguide: is a group that could help you improve in photography and give you feedbacks about your photographs!

Articles that could interest you:

A guide for improving your AC-photographsTHE CHALLENGE
As artists who creates 3-dimensional art/craft there is a challenge as to show our creations by photo - in a portfolio, as a deviation on dA or anywhere else on the internet.
The viewer can't touch the surface, feel the fabric or smell the wood. The photograph of the item is all we have, and if the photo doesn't show your creation in a good way the whole impression can be completely destroyed.
If the photo is too blurry or the lighting is too poor it's hard for the viewer too fully appreciate your work and might not see/understand the hard work behind it since details are lost in the poor quality of the photo. Also messy backgrounds, cropping and image size make a huge different when viewing all kinds of work
Of course it makes a difference with what kind of equipment you have, but as long as you know how to use it there is no real excuse to blurry photos.
The tips and tricks I've listed below to combat different problems can be used no matter what camera
How To Photograph Your CraftsThe absolute number one cause of rejection of DD suggestions for most Artisan Craft CVs is poor photography. There is nothing worse than seeing an otherwise brilliant piece ruined by a dodgy photo. But even beyond DD acceptance, if you want to people on dA to be able to appreciate your skill you need to be able to show your work off to advantage.
Sometimes I'll tell a self-suggester that I can't feature their work because of the quality of the photography and they'll inevitably reply, "Oh, I'll have to get a better camera."


Repeat after me: the tools never make the artist.
You don't need a $9000 sewing machine to stitch a dress, you don't need a $1000 stand mixer to bake a cake, and you similarly don't need a top of the range SLR to take a brilliant photograph. It's all in how you take the photo.
To help us understand photography concepts a little more, Fella is going to help us out. Say hi Fella!
  <
  Project Educate: Photographing Your Crafts...
Photographing crafts is not as daunting as it seems. For those of you out there with amazing creative streaks in you, it isn't actually that difficult to take it one step further and put the effort into snapping your wonderful creations. It just takes a little planning, a camera and some creativity.

The Don'ts...
Rule Number One
Never ever ever ever ever Photograph something on your bed. Ever. I mean it! Your bed is for sleeping, and er, other things. But definitely not for placing your well constructed craft item upon, pointing your camera at, and pressing the button.
You might think I'm stating the obvious but seriously, the amount of people who think they'll just pop their item on the bed and take a picture...is..well..I don't have the statistics but there are many of Us!
Rule Number Two
Stay away from your cluttered up shelves and bits and pieces. Put your craft i
DIY Lightbox by K3lit0
Photography Resources List
General Editing

Windows
Fotor

Serif Photo Plus

Pixlr

GIMP + G'MIC (plugin) :star:

PhotoScape

Paint.Net

Polarr

Pixlr-O-Matic

PicMonkey
  Photography 101: Chapter 01: Basics and LookingSo, a few days ago I decided to ask through a poll and see if you guys were interested if I were to write about photography, how I work, and so on. I got a 100% positive outcome on that, so I decided to just go ahead and write a complete guide on photography. Considering I aspire to be a teacher one day, this is a great opportunity for me. Today, as I publish the first chapter of this guide, we start off with the basics, because these are important stepping stones in becoming a photographer! 

Photography 101: A Photography Guide


Chapter One: Basics & Looking.

When you want to get into photography, or when you just want to get better, it helps to know what terms like exposure, aperture, shutter speed and so on mean. That was my first step of getting into photography: some theory, and actually understanding that theory.
Let’s start off with what photography really is.
When browsing to the Wikipedia page on Photography, you’ll
  Photography 101: Chapter 02: Composition-LocationToday, the continuation of Photography 101! (I feel like an American TV-host saying this!)
In the previous chapter we talked about the basics, some important terms in photography and how to change the way you look at things. If you haven't read that chapter yet, you should! Check out the first chapter here:
Photography 101: Basics and Looking
Please make sure to read that before you start chapter two down below. 
Photography 101: A photography guide

Chapter two: Composition and Location
Welcome to Chapter Two of Photography 101! Today we will be talking about something that has always proven very important to me in photography: composition and location.
Composition
In photography, and pretty much all visual art-forms, composition is crucial. Composition can either make or break your image, it can make your image intriguing or utterly boring.
A quick overview of all the composition topics that will b
  Photography 101: Chapter 03: LightingHi! I am Yuukon, and I am a photographer. Today I am here to tell you all about lighting in photography!
If you are new to Photography 101, you can check out chapter one and two here:
Photography 101: Chapter 01: Basics - Looking
Photography101: Chapter 02: Composition - Location
Chapter Three: Lighting
There will be several subjects coming to light (no pun intended!) in this chapter today. Some of these things will be directly related to chapter one of this course, where we talk about basics and terms in photography. If you forgot what something means, check back there to find the explanation.
Subjects we will talk about:
- Aperture
- Shutter Speed
- ISO
Aperture
In chapter one we discussed the basics
  Photography 101: Chapter 04: Light sources and WBChapter Four: Light sources and white balance
Hi there! It's Yuukon again, with a new chapter of Photography 101! 
If you are new to Photography 101, I recommend you to check out the first three chapters first:
Photography 101: Chapter 01: Basics - Looking
Photography101: Chapter 02: Composition - Location
Photography 101: Chapter 03: Lighting
So, today we will be talking about the various light sources you can use in photography. These are the three most used light sources that I will focus on:
Available Light
Natural Light
Flash
Next to that, we will also talk about the importance of white balan
  How to: Reduce noise in your photographI often see photographs pass by covered in sometimes a very, very thick layer of noise, and I always ask myself:
"Why did the photographer choose not to remove it? Is it because they don't know how to?"
Noise is something that, in my opinion, can definitely break your photograph. Most people love to see clear, crisp shots and if a photograph is covered in noise.. it is quite often, here on deviantArt, that your work will not be accepted in to groups just for that very reason. I am not a big fan of noise either. There obviously are occassions where "noise" works well, if used correctly, however, that is not usually called noise but "grain". Let's take a look at the difference between noise and grain before we move on:

This is noise. In this case, caused by a high ISO setting. 

This is a grain. 
Can you see the difference between the two? Noise often brings some of his friends along in the form of some ug


Websites:
www.lightstalking.com/
strobist.blogspot.com/
www.apug.org/forum/home

I hope that this article helped you somehow :paranoid:, and I will end it with a quote from twistedjewelry:
"Educate yourself. There is always something new to discover and learn."

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this article!



© 2016 - 2024 JustACapharnaum
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ChaosFay's avatar
My biggest challenge is finding a space to photograph my quilts.  Outdoors isn't the best because dirt and dust, and indoors I have very limited space...and very little furniture.  Any tips for taking photographs of quilts?  I'd hang them on a wall if I had wall space.  On the floor I can't stand over it (I'm very short) even with a chair.  Plus the shadows and lighting are HORRIBLE when taking the pictures of them laying on the floor.  Any tips for someone with limited space and poor lighting would be great.  My quilts range from coasters to twin size.  I haven't made anything much larger...yet.