Taking Pictires of Your Jewelry.
Published On: 11-14-2011 06:59am
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Category: How To's
When this little hobby turned business, I wanted to learn how to take pictures of my creations! I searched long and hard on the internet for instructions. Found many blogs and many kits you could buy for a photo box. I even ran accross instructions on how to build one yourself.
The first thing I did is find a fairly high pixel camera, not always the best thing to do! Most online picture posting requires low pixel! But the options on my camera were cool(even though I hadn't a clue as to how to use them). After trying some settings, I found that the automatic setting without flash and with flower closeup was the best setting. My camera automatically refines and digitally focuses my picture. The closer I was the better the picture.
The homemade photobox was a serious failure! It was suggested to use a sheet outside in the sunlight as a filter from direct light on the jewelry. They were still very dark! Frustrated, I took a little more time to play with my camera. The funny thing was, our family vacation to Disney World at New Years time was what taught me the most! Many of the spectacular sights were at night! I gained much experience with that event!
That next summer, I decided to take a chance at direct sunlight outside! The sparkles were outstanding, but the shadows and exposure was still dim! When the cold months approached, I wasn't quite sure what to do!
Here is a funny thing! When the H1N1 Swine flu hit, I read from a site by a popular MD turned Naturalpath, Dr. Mercola, He talked about how glass filters some types of sun light and direct is best for your body to produce vitamin D! That gave me an idea! I took some pictures of my jewelry on a flat surface in sunlight coming through the window! Wow! What a difference!
I have finally found a great picture!
When you take the picture, make sure your elbows are steadied by something stationary. Otherwise, the natural human movement will cause the image to be blurry! Also, sundown is a great time for photos. The sun is coming in the window at an angle so it doesn't cause you to cast a shadow of yourself over the item. Take several angles so you can find the best picture possible. I put several books along side the platform the jewelry was on and set the camera on the books. It rises the camera slightly with a steady anchor much like a tripod would. Then tilt the camera to the direction so you get a complete picture, not cutting any part of the jewelry out.
Once you download your picture on your computer, you will need to clean it up some with a program. I love Picasa 3.5 by Google. It's safe, free and very handy! I guarantee it! Make sure you lighten it up a bunch and ditially focus the picture. The web tends to darken the pictures you download. You may need to crop it to make it clean and the only thing in the picture! If you find it to be too large when you try to download it to a website, you can "export for web" found in the Files scroll down menu in the Picassa program. It will prompt you for the size you need.
For more help, Picassa can help you with just about anything you need to know about this subject! Happy picture taking!
