Saturday, January 17, 2009

Farmisht with the camera

Photography. Hands up if your good at it? *looking around and swinging my arms low*... Well, I'm teaching myself, and oy vey, you'd think with the ease of digital, autoflash, autofocus and all those fancy schmancy icons on the camera you'd be able to take a professional looking photo. Not the case! I've been conscious of my photographs for a while now and my amateur photography needs to step up (I feel).

This all comes in light of my planned opening of an Etsy store (probably next month), and there is nothing worse than lacking confidence in buying goods from a website with amateur looking photos. Or am I wrong? In fact, I think its the skill of the photographer that professionalises our handmade goods. With professional looking photos and obviously a high standard of ones art or craft, I think you are entitled to ask for top dollar pound (I don't think I'll attempt selling Stateside since the introduction of the CPSIA but thats another story).

Natural light seems to be what everyones queuing for and it seems that I must have the darkest house in the photographic world. *sigghhhhhh* And, a good contrasting backdrop. So, my photographic studio comprises of my conservatory at the back of my house, a couple of meters of crisply ironed fabric and my Sony Cybershot 8megas.

So, that's what I've been up to, practising photographing my appliqued t-shirts that I'm making for the craft fair on the 28th February (details to be posted shortly for those of you local ;) ).

Oh, and this is my label, or have I shown you this before? *Scratching head wondering*. Sorry if I have, but I just love it. Also, this was taken whilst learning about the tulip looking icon. I know these photos still need alot of practice.

In other news... I'm gonna be a weigh-er at the weight watchers class (that I've neither attended nor observed for months and months). So, I guess I gotta stick with it now.

AND...

The Nosh had his first week at nursery, arrrhhhhhh. Photos in the sidebar. My little choochkie started nursery on Monday. And my big choochkie was such a proud big brother telling all his mates about it in the school line up Monday morning. *Just love you boys so much*.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh, I can't agree with you more about photos! I'm a SLR camera newbie. I feel so incompetent but envy all the wonderful photos on Etsy.
We have a lot in common. I'm a WWer too!
And I've been looking everywhere for a resource where I can find tags or labels to order. Can I ask where you found yours? Did you send them a logo?
Glad to have found you! I love the shirt by the way!!!!

Sweetpea4kids said...

Hi Carolyn, thanks for visiting my blog. I love your dolls, btw. I made my labels myself. Dont be disillusioned by their professional look *achem*, I did in fact make them myself. Simply with an ink-jet, heat bond paper and grossgrain ribbon. I'll try and post a tute up here in the next few days or so.

Marie said...

I also agree with you completely about photos. To get top dollar for your products, you need to have top notch photos. I just got a new camera for Christmas and I'm still figuring it all out. I think having a good photo editing program is a huge must too. Might I suggest a different background color for your shirts? Just play around and see what you come up with! I love your labels too-so so cute!

Sweetpea4kids said...

Thanks Marie for your advice - I've emailed you.

London Mummy said...

Hi Estee, Happy New Year, somewhat belatedly but hey I'm always behind!! I think clothes in particular must be one of the hardest things to photograph well but am definitely a fan of the natural light brigade - usually I find the best light is around 3pm in my place - right in the middle of school run and errands :)

Looking forward to seeing your new Etsy shop next month.

Anonymous said...

I've been taking pictures for years and would love to take a class because there is so much that I don't know. Just keep with it, and they'll keep getting better and better. I like to photograph on my front porch...you can get good lighting outside.

Good luck on your shop...I wish you much success.

Heart Felt said...

It's so hard to take great photographs of clothing, your photos look lovely, the top is so cute. I love your labels, they look very professional! xx