Lights, cameras, product photography

Today I have spent a large portion of my time trying to work out why the background of my photograph kept coming out blue. I have searched several links across the Internet and found that product photography is actually a very tricky subject. So, I thought I would write a quick guide detailing what I have found out.

1. You need a white piece of paper (two if your paper is thin) and use this for the flooring. Then you need some cellotape and another piece of paper, stick this to the wall and create a curved shape so it touches your flooring. Think model photoshoot here.


2. Take a piece of cardboard and cover it with aluminum foil, in fact you might require two of these if you are using a white light source.


3. I use a light designed for seasonal defective disorder (S.A.D) that emits a bright white light. I shine this on the left-hand side of my setup and place the first foil covered cardboard on the opposite side, part stuck to my desk and part to the wall to keep its position.


4. Take the photos during daylight hours, the glow from normal bulbs is just not the right colour for your lovely products to shine.


5. Set the camera ISO to as low as possible, this stops the picture being too grainy and as it's a still object it doesn't need a fast shutter.


6. If you have the option, set the camera to the cloudy setting. This is the setting I spent most of the day trying to work out. What it does it stops it from being too blue.


7. As you are using white background and you camera automatically adjusts to about 15% grey, turn up the exposure to +1.0EV. I have to adjust this up and down depending on the colour of the ribbon I'm photographing.


8. It's best to use the macro setting for smaller objects as it helps to pick out the fine detail


9. Use a tripod where possible, although I have never got on with one so I apologise if my photos are a tad blurry.


10. PhotoShop is your best friend. Use the magic wand to cut out the background and use the auto colour to get rid of the grey. If possible use the adjustments > curves to amend the colour to exactly how you want it.

If you have any of your own product photography tips I'd love to hear them.

Kerri
- Fabridashery Founder

Fabridashery - Handmade Monday

Well this is the first of our themed posts - Handmade Monday. Each Monday we will be featuring five of our favourite handmade shops. If you're one of our customers then please get in contact so we can feature yours. It's our way of giving back to the creative community and showcasing our lovely customers.

So this weeks 5 are all participating in CRAFTfest an online craft fair that runs until 23rd March:

The Shed by Shaz
Fabulous gifts and items for the home, Shaz is one of the ladies on the Creative Connections Network that can always be found talking in the chat around 5pm each day.


ZukieStyle
Dee is absolutely lovely and makes the cutest collars for pets. Not only that but you get to drool over the cutest of pooches on her website as well.


Jane Cameron
Jane is an exceptionally talented lady, not only does she work with glass, silk painting and is currently designing her own fabric range...but she also teaches workshops, teaches piano (also by Skype!), produces kits for others to try crafts, and takes time to advise other small businesses...she makes us quite exhausted just thinking about her being super woman!



Kerri Robberts Designs
Kerri creates purses and other small accessories from high quality quilting weight fabrics. She has a multitude of talents and skills from software engineering, search engine optimization, online marketing, to fabric buying, dressmaking and entertaining her two troublesome pussy cats. She can be found each evening on the Creative Connection chat.


Ravens Stained Glass
Chrissy is another very talented lady, she makes lots of lovely pieces from stained glass. We have one of her art deco rose suncatchers in our house and it's gorgeous. She has a great range that are always a hit every CRAFTfest.

Fabridashery - fabric and haberdashery grand opening

On Saturday 16th March 2013 Fabridashery opened its virtual doors to the people of the internet. With a range of products suitable for dressmakers, handicraft creators and children alike.

One of Fabridashery's favourite products are our 9" x 12" felt sheets, that can be purchased for 30p each. Our felt sheets are currently only polyester, but we are going to be stocking wool felt shortly in both 9" squares and 12" squares.

We don't currently have a bricks and mortar shop, however we offer UK delivery for a flat rate fee of £2.49 P&P. Although, if you are only purchasing ribbon, then this will only cost a maximum of 99p P&P.

Our ribbons are high quality from manufacturers such as Berisfords, May Arts and Berties Bows. The quality really shows as well, and they finish off handmade items beautifully. We stock a range of "With Love" grosgrain ribbons, that can be used as either sew-in labels, or to add that extra special touch to a parcel.

At Fabridashery we like to go the extra mile for our customers, so if you don't see what you are looking for then please contact us and we'll do our best to assist. You can always find us on the Creative Connections Network chatting to other lovely crafting ladies (and the odd gentleman).

So why not pop in and see if anything tickles your fancy.

Kerri
- Founder