I wanted to put this on the Etsy site but I guess that is not possible. Said it wasn't taking any more ideas for articles right now - probably wouldn't have put this on anyway.
Right now I am downloading pictures I just took to put on my site. As I am doing it, I think about all the articles I have read on Etsy and other places about photos. I am so happy for those that can take pictures that look like they could appear in a magazine. However, for the rest of us - well, I do the best I can. I wish mine looked professional, I really do, but I do what I can. Retake, retake, retake, lighting, position, etc - you hear it over and over again. I read and think about all of this advice but mine still look like I took them. I have a fairly decent camera, I use extra lighting, put a cloth down when I take a picture, do several item positions, use zoom, fix them, etc. You know what? They still look like I took them. I have read in articles that some customers won't take the time of day to look at your items if the pictures are not a certain way. In response to that, all I can say is that maybe these customers should look for stuff in the boutiques and pay twice or three times as much as they do on etsy.
I just felt like I needed to say this - I try so hard to make my pictures as appealing as I can, but again, they look like I took them. So for those sellers out there that try to take good pictures, but they end up looking like you took them, just do the best you can - people that solely judge us by our pictures, probably wouldn't want to buy our stuff anyway.
I am now getting off my soap box. Jeri
11 comments:
Jeri, I know it can be frustrating. I have probably over a hundred items that need to be put on my site, but I find the photography a bit daunting. A lot of times the magic happens in the photo editing software. Even if you don't have the software, there are sites like picnik where you can edit for free. (Susan just wrote an article about picnik). I do love the pink bracelet that you feature in your shop. That looks magazine-worthy!
Yes, it can be frustrating. I have redone a lot of my pictures. I so don't have a steady hand, so I timer set my camera.
I usually use an ott light, u can find these at Michaels, but wait for the 40% off coupon for one item.
That light puts off good light. I have a table top one.
I bought a white poster board for the background. I never did that before and someone mentioned that to me.
Then I take the picture and it goes to windows media and I edit it. At brightness to it, contract and crop it.
Hope this helps!
I feel the same way about it sometimes, but I still get sales! I think if the price is competetive, the item is unique, and you are positive it all works out in the end.
I have something called a "Desktop Studio". It is a portable light box and comes complete with lights. I have had to mess around with the angle of the lights and stuff, but I have definitely had some successes.
You can find them on Ebay for around the $40 mark, and they are available with different "colored" lights. I like the lights that project more of a sunlight color, however you can also get cooler colored lighting. Totally worth the money :)
Sophie (www.skddesigns.etsy.com)
I read an article by a wonderful photographer who suggested using a piece of white posterboard. Taped to the wall and floor to create a curve. It would work in place of using a photobox. You could work with the lighting to position and avoid creating unwanted shadowing. I know it would work with some but if your item would work with a crisp clean background.
connie
circlelinestudio
Well, I think your little fluffy guy looks cute just the way it is.
I agree wholeheartedly with Katie. I am a terrible photographer and yet I still get sales. I believe a lot has to do with whether you have something they want, and like Katie said, if the price is competitive. So long as the item is identifiable in that photo, and doesn't misrepresent what we are selling, I just do the best I can and let the Lord do the rest. If they want it, and I have it, it will happen. Don't worry too much - enjoy! Your little guy in that photo is SO cute...
Hugs Evie
http://evelynmayfield.etsy.com
http://prayersncrafts.blogspot.com
Something that you can do that doesn't require the purchase of a new light is take photos of your items in the natural light from a window. The colors tend to stay true, and cameras tend to love the natural light. I have a cheapie little tripod that I use when I want my photos to really shine.
Hope this helps :)
I feel your photography pain...my only suggestion beyond what you've already gotten is to take ALOT of shots and some of them are bound to be good. I've had most success with natural light outdoors but the OTT light has come in handy as well...I also belive that handmade is handmade, right down to the photos, and I value it as it is!!
I use OUTDOOR light 99% of the time. (I have a photo cube...but I don't really care for it.) I literally go outside and move the item into a direction that seems to brighten it best. I photograph on a white piece of computer paper. This gets as bright as possible...then when I go inside I edit and either push the white button OR contrast & lighten. I usually also take SEVERAL shots of each product. This took me thousands of photos to discover, but once you find what works stick with it...keep trying you'll figure it out :)
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