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<title>DIY Craft Photography</title>
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<title>DIY Craft Photography</title>
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<item>
<title>10 Easy Ideas to Dress Up your Food Photography</title>
<link>/10-ideas-improve-food-photography-for-cheap/</link>
<comments>/10-ideas-improve-food-photography-for-cheap/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[M. Johnson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sat, 27 Apr 2019 15:00:32 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Composition & Techniques]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[food photography examples]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[food photography tips]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[ideas for food photography]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=517</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Photographing food is often about more than just food – it’s about evoking a feeling. The props you surround your food with can be used to suggest the warmth of home on a winter’s day, or the breeziness of the beach, or the adventure of a vacation. Browse this list for ideas and inspiration for...</p><p><a class="more-link" href="/10-ideas-improve-food-photography-for-cheap/">Read More</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Photographing food is often about more than just food – it’s about evoking a feeling. The props you surround your food with can be used to suggest the warmth of home on a winter’s day, or the breeziness of the beach, or the adventure of a vacation. Browse this list for ideas and inspiration for your next food snapshot.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Add texture with placemats and tablecloths </h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/caffeine-coffee-drink-164588-1024x683.jpg" alt="Coffee mug on a white tablecloth" class="wp-image-1893" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/caffeine-coffee-drink-164588-1024x683.jpg 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/caffeine-coffee-drink-164588-300x200.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/caffeine-coffee-drink-164588-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>This decorative tablecloth adds interest under the dishes.</figcaption></figure>
<p>This seems like an obvious place to start, but what might be less obvious is what you can do with them: you can <strong>roll them</strong>, <strong>stack them</strong>, <strong>layer them</strong>, <strong>ruffle them up a bit</strong>, <strong>lay them flat</strong>, or just let them <strong>peek in from around the edge</strong> of your photo composition. A tablecloth or a placemat doesn’t have to just lay flat in the background, nor does it have to fill the frame or be perfectly aligned with the edges of the photo. </p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Show the raw ingredients</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" width="914" height="1024" src="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/anise-aroma-art-277253-914x1024.jpg" alt="Salt and spices in spoons" class="wp-image-1888" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/anise-aroma-art-277253-914x1024.jpg 914w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/anise-aroma-art-277253-268x300.jpg 268w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/anise-aroma-art-277253-768x861.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 914px) 100vw, 914px" /><figcaption>It’s a bit messy but it certainly catches the eye!<br></figcaption></figure>
<p><strong>Herbs and spices, chocolate chips</strong>, or a <strong>dusting of flour </strong>can serve as authentic props and add interest to shots of ready-to-eat food.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Invite some friends</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" src="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Orange-Mango-Sunshine-Drink-Homemade-Healthy-Orange-Juice_-683x1024.jpg" alt="Three glasses of mango orange smoothie with straws and a tablecloth in the background" class="wp-image-1883" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Orange-Mango-Sunshine-Drink-Homemade-Healthy-Orange-Juice_-683x1024.jpg 683w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Orange-Mango-Sunshine-Drink-Homemade-Healthy-Orange-Juice_-200x300.jpg 200w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Orange-Mango-Sunshine-Drink-Homemade-Healthy-Orange-Juice_-768x1152.jpg 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Orange-Mango-Sunshine-Drink-Homemade-Healthy-Orange-Juice_.jpg 1560w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption><a href="https://www.findingveggiejoy.com/orange-mango-sunshine-drink/">Orange Mango Sunshine Drink by Finding Veggie Joy</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>We often shoot beverages and plated food as a serving of one, so showing multiples of the same thing can be an eye-catching but easy way to take a more interesting photo. </p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Leave something out</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/banana-breakfast-cooking-2179942-1024x683.jpg" alt="Off-center bowl of banana and oats" class="wp-image-1889" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/banana-breakfast-cooking-2179942-1024x683.jpg 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/banana-breakfast-cooking-2179942-300x200.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/banana-breakfast-cooking-2179942-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mdsn.design/">mdsn.design</a> <br></figcaption></figure>
<p>Who says you have to show the whole thing? Pushing the subject out of the frame can add interest with minimal effort. The viewer’s imagination can fill in the rest.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Surround it with something sparkly!</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="682" height="1024" src="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/banana-bowl-delicious-1333746-682x1024.jpg" alt="Bowl of bananas and seeds surrounded by large shiny pieces of confetti " class="wp-image-1884" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/banana-bowl-delicious-1333746-682x1024.jpg 682w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/banana-bowl-delicious-1333746-200x300.jpg 200w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/banana-bowl-delicious-1333746-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /></figure>
<p>This shiny confetti isn’t food, but it’s an effective way to dress up a simple shot. Shiny plates, shiny cookware, shiny silverware can also be used to add interest to food photography. Metal surfaces in general tend to complement food nicely, evoking the look and feel of cookware and kitchen appliances.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">6. Show the process</h2>
<p>Tools of the trade, your kitchen, and even your own hands can be used to add interest to your food photography. Don’t worry if things aren’t perfectly neat – they rarely are in a kitchen – focus on the food and let the background become a bit blurry. (This effect is called a <a href="https://digital-photography-school.com/17-beautiful-images-with-shallow-depth-of-field/">shallow depth of field</a> – it’s often achieved using a <a href="https://amzn.to/2GI6UFB">50mm lens</a> but it can also be <a href="/photoshop-tutorial-fake-a-background-blur/">faked in post-processing</a>.)</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/bakery-baking-bread-890520-768x1024.jpg" alt="Sugar cookies on a baking tray with baker's hands and tools in the background" class="wp-image-1886" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/bakery-baking-bread-890520-768x1024.jpg 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/bakery-baking-bread-890520-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oleg.magni/">oleg.magni </a></figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">7. Add a little garnish</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="648" src="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/bake-baking-berry-302474-1024x648.jpg" alt="Stack of pancakes with raspberries and green leaves" class="wp-image-1887" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/bake-baking-berry-302474-1024x648.jpg 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/bake-baking-berry-302474-300x190.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/bake-baking-berry-302474-768x486.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
<p>Garnish is one of those “easy wins” that’s also easy to overlook. After all, not many of us put little garnishes on our day-to-day food. But adding little green leaves is an easy (and inexpensive) way to fancy up your food before you photograph it. </p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">8. Give it personality with people</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="684" src="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/chips-close-up-cuisine-2092508-1024x684.jpg" alt="Plate of tacos and rice in front of a seated person" class="wp-image-1891" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/chips-close-up-cuisine-2092508-1024x684.jpg 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/chips-close-up-cuisine-2092508-300x200.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/chips-close-up-cuisine-2092508-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chitokan/">chitokan</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>You don’t have to pose with your food (that might come off a little odd) but populating the background with people can be an effective way to tell a richer story through food photography.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">9. Make it an action shot</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="685" height="1024" src="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/blur-bread-cake-397913-685x1024.jpg" alt="Syrup being poured onto a stack of waffles" class="wp-image-1890" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/blur-bread-cake-397913-685x1024.jpg 685w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/blur-bread-cake-397913-201x300.jpg 201w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/blur-bread-cake-397913-768x1147.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 685px) 100vw, 685px" /></figure>
<p>Showing the syrup mid-drip, the pancake mid-flip, the tea mid-pour or the stir fry mid-toss adds instant drama and interest to food photos. You may need an assistant and a bit of planning to pull it off, but the end result may be worth it.<strong>Plates of all sizes and colors</strong> – your local Goodwill or World Market is a great place to find a variety of plates. Glass plates can look upscale or old fashioned; bold bright colors often look summery, dark and rich colors often look warm and wintry.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">10. … or all of the above!</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" src="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/barbecue-bbq-berries-1667580-683x1024.jpg" alt="A busy scene shot from an overhead perspective showing many kinds of fruit and crackers on plates, cutting boards, and bowls" class="wp-image-1885" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/barbecue-bbq-berries-1667580-683x1024.jpg 683w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/barbecue-bbq-berries-1667580-200x300.jpg 200w, /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/barbecue-bbq-berries-1667580-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/@rawpixel?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels">rawpixel.com</a> from <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/flat-lay-photography-of-fruit-platter-1667580/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels">Pexels</a></figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More Great Food Photography</h2>
<p>These are just a <em>few</em> of the great food photographers and food photography blogs out there. Leave a comment and let me know who <strong>your</strong> favorite food photographer is!</p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.edibleperspective.com/">Edible Perspective</a></li><li><a href="http://www.dessertsforbreakfast.com/">Desserts for Breakfast</a></li><li><a href="http://www.thetarttart.com/2012/07/lambs-quarters-frittata/">The Tart Tart</a></li><li><a href="http://lovintheoven.com/">Lovin The Oven</a></li><li><a href="http://pinchofyum.com/">Pinch of Yum</a></li><li><a href="http://www.gregdupree.com/#a=0&at=0&mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=0&p=0">Greg Dupree</a></li><li><a href="http://yossyarefi.com/">Yossy Arefi</a></li><li><a href="http://whatshouldieatforbreakfasttoday.com/">What Should I Eat for Breakfast Today</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bakerella.com/">Bakerella</a></li><li><a href="http://www.sarkababicka.com/food/">Sarka Babicka</a></li><li><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelysanders/50-best-food-blog-photos-of-2012">BuzzFeed’s 50 Best Food Blog Photos of 2012</a></li></ul>
]]></content:encoded>
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</item>
<item>
<title>Best Indoor Lighting Equipment for Craft Photographers</title>
<link>/best-indoor-lighting-equipment-for-craft-photographers/</link>
<comments>/best-indoor-lighting-equipment-for-craft-photographers/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[M. Johnson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 03 Apr 2014 15:00:13 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Lighting]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lighting Equipment]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[artificial lighting]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[food photography]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[lighting]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[photography]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=1412</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The most challenging aspect of product photography is getting the lighting right. Lighting affects everything: color, sharpness, shadows, and the overall quality of the image. The outdoors can be fickle and difficult to rely on – clouds, rain, and, oh yeah – that thing called winter. The best way to control lighting is to create...</p><p><a class="more-link" href="/best-indoor-lighting-equipment-for-craft-photographers/">Read More</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/500_best_indoor_lighting_tools_for_crafters2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="735" height="364" src="/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/500_best_indoor_lighting_tools_for_crafters2.jpg" alt="The Best Indoor Lighting Equipment for Craft Photography & Food Photography" class="wp-image-1454" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/500_best_indoor_lighting_tools_for_crafters2.jpg 735w, /wp-content/uploads/2015/04/500_best_indoor_lighting_tools_for_crafters2-300x148.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 735px) 100vw, 735px" /></a></figure></div>
<p>The most challenging aspect of product photography is <strong>getting the lighting right</strong>. </p>
<p>Lighting affects <em>everything</em>: color, sharpness, shadows, and the overall quality of the image. The outdoors can be fickle and difficult to rely on – clouds, rain, and, oh yeah – that thing called <em>winter</em>.</p>
<p>The best way to control lighting is to <strong>create it yourself</strong>. </p>
<p>With a good indoor lighting setup, you can photograph whenever you need to – no more waiting for weekends or “a good lighting day” – and deliver consistent results every time. In this special equipment roundup, we’re going to recommend the very best indoor lighting equipment for craft photographers and food bloggers!</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Best lighting for small objects</h3>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009K50RO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0009K50RO&linkCode=as2&tag=diy07a-20">Lowel EGO Digital Imaging, Tabletop Fluorescent Light Unit</a></p>
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/lowel_ego_light_manufacturer_photo.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="600" height="480" src="/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/lowel_ego_light_manufacturer_photo.jpg" alt="Lowel EGO indoor lighting lamp for food bloggers and craft photographers. From our article: Best Indoor Lighting Tools for Craft Photographers" class="wp-image-1448" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/lowel_ego_light_manufacturer_photo.jpg 600w, /wp-content/uploads/2015/04/lowel_ego_light_manufacturer_photo-300x240.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></a></figure></div>
<p><strong>Perfect for: food photography, handmade jewelry, small handmade crafts like toys and dolls</strong></p>
<p>We love this little lamp by EGO. It’s easy to set up (just plug it in) and compact enough to sit on a tray or small table along with your product or food. It’s lightweight (less than 3 lbs) and small enough to just tuck away into a closet or drawer. Each Lowel EGO light comes with two 27-Watt custom “daylight” fluorescent lamps behind a white translucent diffusing shield for accurate colors and soft shadows. The lightbulbs also come with a manufacturer’s estimated lifespan of 5,000 to 10,000 hours. That’s a lot of food photos!</p>
<p>At just over $100 it’s not cheap, but it’s the closest thing to natural daylight we’ve seen. Food bloggers <a href="http://pinchofyum.com/" rel="nofollow">Pinch of Yum</a> and <a href="http://www.steamykitchen.com/266-lowel-ego-lights-for-food-photography.html">Steamy Kitchen</a> both use and recommend this lamp for fantastic food photos on dark winter nights.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Best indoor lighting kit</h3>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003WLY24O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003WLY24O&linkCode=as2&tag=diy07a-20">CowboyStudio Photography Lighting Kit with Umbrellas </a></p>
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cowboy_studio_photography_umbrella_kit.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="425" height="425" src="/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cowboy_studio_photography_umbrella_kit.jpg" alt="CowboyStudio photography umbrella kit for indoor photography, craft photography, and portraits. From our article: Best Indoor Lighting Tools for Craft Photographers" class="wp-image-1431" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cowboy_studio_photography_umbrella_kit.jpg 425w, /wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cowboy_studio_photography_umbrella_kit-150x150.jpg 150w, /wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cowboy_studio_photography_umbrella_kit-300x300.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px" /></a></figure></div>
<p><strong>Perfect for: photographing babies, portraits, clothing on models or mannequins, jewelry on live models, medium and larger sized crafts on tables and chairs</strong></p>
<p><strong>Transform a corner of your room into a well-lit photo studio</strong> with this kit. Sets up in minutes and includes high quality daylight CFL bulbs for consistent color. Aluminum stands are sturdy. This $70 kit looks and acts like a professional $1,000 kit.</p>
<p>This kit is pretty much everything you need in one convenient package, especially if your crafts are too big for a little light tent or worn by human models.</p>
<p>Set includes:</p>
<ul><li><strong>3 daylight CFL bulbs</strong></li><li><strong>2 white 33″ umbrellas and 7 ft stands</strong></li><li><strong>3 45 Watt 5500k Daylight bulbs</strong></li><li><strong>1 mini light stand </strong></li><li><strong>3 swivel sockets</strong> (point your lights in any direction)</li><li><strong>Padded carrying case</strong></li></ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Best reflector kit</h3>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ZIMEMW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002ZIMEMW&linkCode=as2&tag=diy07a-20">Neewer 110CM 43″ 5-in-1 Collapsible Multi-Disc Light Reflector</a></p>
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/neewer_reflector.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="500" height="500" src="/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/neewer_reflector.jpg" alt="Neewer reflector set for great bounce lighting. Works with indoor and outdoor photography. From our article: Best Indoor Lighting Tools for Craft Photographers" class="wp-image-1433" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/neewer_reflector.jpg 500w, /wp-content/uploads/2015/04/neewer_reflector-150x150.jpg 150w, /wp-content/uploads/2015/04/neewer_reflector-300x300.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></a></figure></div>
<p><strong>Perfect for: softening shadows on humans and small and medium size objects</strong></p>
<p>Light reflectors are awesome. Hold the disc up near your subject to bounce light back into shadowed areas. (See the magic of <a href="/the-magic-of-bounce-lighting/">bounce lighting in action</a>.)</p>
<p>This “all in one” disc is about the <strong>size of a medium pizza</strong>. It contains 5 colors: <strong>white, silver, gold, black,</strong> and<strong> translucent</strong>. Just unzip to get to the color you want to use, and zip it back up for storage.</p>
<ul><li><strong>Silver</strong> is neutral but more reflective than white, so it’s best used in lower light situations (such as shooting indoors).</li><li><strong>White</strong>, like silver, is also neutral but less reflective. Works best in bright lighting to soften harsh shadows. Since it’s weaker than silver, it’ll have to be held closer to your subject.</li><li><strong>Gold</strong> reflectors are very warm, use a gold disc to give human subjects a healthy glow or when shooting outdoors to counteract blue tinted daylight shadows.</li><li><strong>Black</strong> reflectors are the opposite of the previous three: black makes shadows darker by reducing the ambient bounce lighting hitting your subject.</li><li><strong>Transluscent</strong> isn’t a reflector; it’s actually a <em>diffuser</em>. Place it between your light source and your subject to soften harsh lighting.</li></ul>
<p>Some reflector kits cost well over $100. That’s crazy! This high quality kit can be found for less than $20.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Best tabletop photo studio and lighting kit</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005FMKJ1I/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005FMKJ1I&linkCode=as2&tag=diy07a-20" rel="nofollow">LimoStudio Photography Photo Studio Lighting Kit Set</a></p>
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/limo_studio_photography_photo_studio.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="500" height="500" src="/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/limo_studio_photography_photo_studio.jpg" alt="LimoStudio photography studio kit. 16 x 16 lighting tent, mini tripod, lamps, and backgrounds. From our article: Best Indoor Lighting Tools for Craft Photographers." class="wp-image-1439" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/limo_studio_photography_photo_studio.jpg 500w, /wp-content/uploads/2015/04/limo_studio_photography_photo_studio-150x150.jpg 150w, /wp-content/uploads/2015/04/limo_studio_photography_photo_studio-300x300.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></a></figure></div>
<p><strong>Perfect for: small crafts like jewelry and amigurumi, white background product photography</strong></p>
<p>A photo studio is great for when you want to achieve a smooth, white background behind your product. Aim the spotlights at the side of the box to light it up inside and take bright, beautiful photos. There’s a tiny tripod included but if you’re shooting with your phone you may not find it very useful. We didn’t get much use out of the blue and red backgrounds, but the white one is a workhorse that any crafter selling online should find useful. </p>
<p>See our <a href="/table-top-photo-studio-kit-reviews/http:/table-top-photo-studio-kit-reviews/">Photo Studio Kit Comparison Guide for a whole slew of options</a>.</p>
<p>This tabletop photo kit includes:</p>
<ul><li><strong>Light bulbs</strong> are studio quality 5000K, 120V 50W GU10 lamps for consistent color temperature (not too orange or blue)</li><li><strong>Eliminate unexpected shadows </strong>by controlling the light</li><li><strong>16″ x 16″ box </strong>fits small and medium size objects</li><li><strong>Mini tripod with bubble level:</strong> so all your photos are shot from exactly the same height</li><li><strong>Carrying case!</strong> Pack it all away when you’re done.</li></ul>
<p>Go forth and photograph your handmade crafts! Do you have any specialized lighting equipment? Show it off – share a link to your photos or shop in the comments!</p>
<div class="amazin-product-box" id="amazin-product-box-id-1910">
<p class="amazin-product-box-recommend-text">DIYCraftPhotography recommends</p>
<h3 class="amazin-product-box-product-name">CowboyStudio Photography & Video Portrait Umbrella Continuous Triple Lighting Kit</h3>
<div class="amazin-product-box-image-row">
<div class="amazin-product-box-column amazin-product-box-left">
<img decoding="async" src="/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cowboy-studio-official.jpg"/>
</div>
<div class="amazin-product-box-column amazin-product-box-right">
<p class="amazin-product-box-tagline">Sturdy, versatile, and inexpensive</p>
<p class="amazin-product-box-description" >No more waiting for the sun to come out! Light up your crafts with this inexpensive lighting kit that includes everything you need to get started shooting indoors.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="amazin-product-box-button-wrap">
<a href="https://amzn.to/2X2p4gf" class="amazin-product-box-button" target="_blank" >See the CowboyStudio Lighting Kit on Amazon.com</a>
</div>
</div>
<p><script type="text/javascript"><br />
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<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
</item>
<item>
<title>Fixing Photo Distortion with Zoom</title>
<link>/fixing-photo-distortion-with-zoom/</link>
<comments>/fixing-photo-distortion-with-zoom/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[M. Johnson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 27 Sep 2013 07:00:24 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Composition & Techniques]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[camera]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[zoom]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=763</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Photo distortion, noun – “Aw, it looked so much better in real life.” Do your craft products look great in real life but turn out warped, stretched, or distorted in photos? Good news: your photo distortion might be easily fixed by zooming your camera in and taking a step back. Compare these two shots, one...</p><p><a class="more-link" href="/fixing-photo-distortion-with-zoom/">Read More</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><div id="attachment_774" style="width: 319px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/pinterest_how_to_fix_photo_distortion_zoom.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-774" class="wp-image-774 " alt="Click to share me on Pinterest!" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/pinterest_how_to_fix_photo_distortion_zoom.jpg" width="309" height="255" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/pinterest_how_to_fix_photo_distortion_zoom.jpg 441w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/12/pinterest_how_to_fix_photo_distortion_zoom-300x247.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 309px) 100vw, 309px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-774" class="wp-caption-text">Click to share me on Pinterest!</p></div></p>
<p><strong>Photo distortion</strong>, noun –</p>
<p><em>“Aw, it looked so much better in real life.”</em></p>
<p>Do your craft products look great in real life but turn out warped, stretched, or distorted in photos? Good news: your photo distortion might be easily fixed by zooming your camera in and taking a step back.</p>
<p>Compare these two shots, one taken with the <strong>camera at its default zoom</strong>:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/zoom_distortion_1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-764" alt="fix photo distortion with camera zoom" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/zoom_distortion_1.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/zoom_distortion_1.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/09/zoom_distortion_1-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p>
<p>And this one was taken with the <strong>camera zoomed in (lens out)</strong>. I had to stand further back to get the same looking shot, but the zoomed lens flattened the image. See how much more square the plate looks?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/zoom_distortion_2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-765" alt="fix photo distortion with camera zoom" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/zoom_distortion_2.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/zoom_distortion_2.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/09/zoom_distortion_2-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p>
<p>If you’re using a point and shoot camera or a DSLR, push your lens out by using the zoom feature. On my camera, it’s a switch near the power button (I push it away from myself to push the lens 0ut).</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/zoom_distortion_3.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-766" alt="fix photo distortion with camera zoom" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/zoom_distortion_3.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/zoom_distortion_3.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/09/zoom_distortion_3-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p>
<h1><strong>Finding the Zoom “Sweet Spot”</strong></h1>
<p>Some point and shoots <strong>have two zoom modes</strong>: “optical”, which involves moving the lens itself, and “digital”, which is the camera enlarging the image digitally once the lens can’t be zoomed in any more. You need to zoom<em> just far enough</em> to flatten the image<strong> with optical zoom</strong>, but <strong>not so far that “digital zoom” kicks in</strong>.</p>
<p>If your camera has digitally enhanced zoom, it will probably let you know when it makes the switch. The “digital zoom” is kind of like taking a tiny image and blowing it up in Photoshop. It’s going to look garbled and compressed – not a great look for showing off crafts.</p>
<h1>One More Example</h1>
<p>See the difference between these two shots? The second photo is <em>much</em> more accurate to real life.</p>
<p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/zoom_distortion_before.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-770" alt="zoom_distortion_before" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/zoom_distortion_before.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/zoom_distortion_before.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/12/zoom_distortion_before-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Look how much shorter Chilly’s feet become with the lens pushed out! Her body gets plumper, too.</p>
<p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/zoom_distortion_after.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-771" alt="zoom_distortion_after" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/zoom_distortion_after.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/zoom_distortion_after.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/12/zoom_distortion_after-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p>
<p>Simple change, huge difference! Push your camera lens out to minimize photo distortion and make your products look much more accurate!</p>
<p>PS: The <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/10/rolo-cheesecake-bars.html">Rolo Cheesecake Bars were made using this recipe from closetcooking.com</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
</item>
<item>
<title>Ultimate Product Photography Tips List</title>
<link>/ultimate-product-photography-tips-list/</link>
<comments>/ultimate-product-photography-tips-list/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[M. Johnson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 05 Sep 2013 07:00:37 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Composition & Techniques]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[etsy]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[food]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[lighting]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[list]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[macro]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[photography]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[tips]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=348</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This massive compilation of the web’s most useful articles and blog posts about photographing crafts has it all: backgrounds, cameras, lighting, tutorials, styling, composition – if it’s not here, it doesn’t exist! (Okay, we’re kidding on that one – if you know of a good resource we missed, tell us in the comments!! ) Here...</p><p><a class="more-link" href="/ultimate-product-photography-tips-list/">Read More</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><div id="attachment_1279" style="width: 451px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/50_best_resources_ultimate_photography_tips_list.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1279" class="size-full wp-image-1279" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/50_best_resources_ultimate_photography_tips_list.jpg" alt="ultimate product photography tips" width="441" height="364" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/50_best_resources_ultimate_photography_tips_list.jpg 441w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/09/50_best_resources_ultimate_photography_tips_list-300x247.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 441px) 100vw, 441px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-1279" class="wp-caption-text">Pin me on Pinterest!</p></div></p>
<p>This massive compilation of the web’s <strong>most useful articles and blog posts about photographing crafts</strong> has it all: backgrounds, cameras, lighting, tutorials, styling, composition – if it’s not here, it doesn’t <em>exist! (Okay, we’re kidding on that one – if you know of a good resource we missed, tell us in the comments!! )</em></p>
<p>Here are <strong>50+</strong> links to product photography tips were carefully chosen for their unique perspectives & helpful content. Nearly all of these links are beginner-friendly with no expensive equipment, software, or cameras required, and most of them come from crafters just like you!</p>
<p><strong>Happy reading!</strong></p>
<h1>Backgrounds & Photo Styling</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://tracys-trinkets-treasures.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-to-take-photos-with-white.html">How to Take Photos With a White Background</a> – Two foam core boards make a flawless white background</li>
<li><a href="http://www.bowerpowerblog.com/2010/10/how-to-make-a-white-photo-backdrop/">How to Make a White Photo Backdrop</a> – White background techniques for large objects (or small children!)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/my-photography-tips/">iHeartNaptime’s Photography Tips </a>– The secret is layering!</li>
<li><a href="http://www.pencilshavingsstudio.com/2012/09/pss-guide-to-etsy-styling-your-photos/">Guide to Styling your Photos</a> – where to find styling accessories plus gorgeous examples</li>
<li><a href="http://blog.bigcartel.com/post/53443976459/expert-tips-photo-styling-101">Expert Tips Photo Styling 101</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.asweetpeachef.com/how-to/how-to-create-a-wood-background/">How to Create a Wood Background</a></li>
</ul>
<h1>Composition & Posing</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://ohmyhandmade.com/2013/marketing-pr/feature-perfect-etsy-shop-product-photography/">Feature Perfect Etsy Shop Product Photography</a></li>
<li><a href="http://blog.folksy.com/2011/03/14/product-photography-tips-composition-the-rule-of-thirds-and-using-dynamic-diagonals">Product Photography Tips</a> – Rule of thirds and camera angles</li>
<li><a href="http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/2012/01/photography-tips-better-composition-and-lighting-tips.html">Better Composition and Lighting Tips</a> – Befores and afters!</li>
<li><a href="http://www.modahaus.com/photography-tips-for-card-makers-and-crafters/">Photography Tips for Card Makers and Crafters</a> – Use a camera stand to produce perfectly straight and undistorted photos</li>
</ul>
<h1>Camera & Lens Recommendations</h1>
<p>Guides on buying a new camera:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="/best-dslr-cameras-under-500-spring-2014/">Best DSLR Cameras Under $500</a> – <em>Updated Spring 2014!</em></li>
<li><a href="/top-selling-point-and-shoot-cameras-amazon-winter-2014/">Top Selling Point and Shoot Cameras Spring 2014</a> – <em>Updated Spring 2014!</em></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0075SUHWG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0075SUHWG&linkCode=as2&tag=diy07a-20">Canon PowerShot A2300</a> – My favorite point and shoot camera of 2013. If I had to replace my camera tomorrow, I’d get this one.
<p><div id="attachment_864" style="width: 194px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0075SUHWG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0075SUHWG&linkCode=as2&tag=diy07a-20"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-864" class="wp-image-864" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/canon_powershot_elph_a2300.jpg" alt="Canon Powershot ELPH A2300" width="184" height="137" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-864" class="wp-caption-text">Canon PowerShot A2300 was DIYCraft’s point and shoot pick of 2013.</p></div></li>
<li><a href="http://www.modahaus.com/best-camera-for-product-photography-guid/">Pros and Cons of Various Camera Types</a> Compares DSLR, point and shoot, and smartphone cameras</li>
<li><a href="http://www.mkdigitaldirect.com/tips/features-selecting-digital-camera-for-jewelry-photography.html">Features to Look for in a Digital Camera</a> – Help choosing a DSLR</li>
<li><a href="http://snapsort.com/">Snapsort</a> – Recommendations and a tool that compares ANY two cameras!</li>
<li><a href="http://lenshero.com/#price=300">LensHero</a> – Tell it your budget and your preferences and it tells you what lens to buy.</li>
</ul>
<h1>Camera Guides</h1>
<h2>DSLR Cameras</h2>
<p>Master your DSLR camera:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/diycraftphoto/dslr-cameras-the-missing-manual/">DSLRs: The Missing Manual</a> – Our pin board collects the web’s best DSLR how-to’s</li>
<li><a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/04/02/do-or-di-your-lens-markings-explained/">Lens Markings Explained </a>– Decode your lens’s language</li>
</ul>
<h2>Point & Shoot Cameras</h2>
<p>Get the most out of your point and shoot camera:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.munatycooking.com/2013/01/how-to-food-photography-with-point-and-shoot-camera.html">Food Photography with a Point and Shoot Camera</a> – Amazing point and shoot photos, and the advice applies to more than just food!</li>
<li><a href="http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=5464&news=how+to+take+great+pictures+with+your+point+and+shoot+camera">How to Take Great Photos with your Point and Shoot Camera</a></li>
<li><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/macro-photography-tips-for-compact-digital-camera-users">Macro Photography with a Point and Shoot Camera </a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Smartphone Cameras</h2>
<p>Maximize your smartphone camera:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.modahaus.com/iphone-and-galaxy-macro-photography-tips/">iPhone and Galaxy Macro Photography Tips</a> – It’s amazing what you can do with a smartphone camera nowadays</li>
<li><a href="http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2013/top-tips-for-smartphone-photography/">Tips for Smartphone Photography</a></li>
<li><a href="https://db.tt/bOPHgPH">Dropbox</a> – Use Dropbox to painlessly transfer photos from your smartphone to your computer. Dropbox is free, and referring friends earns you even more space past the initial 2GB!</li>
</ul>
<p><div id="attachment_1627" style="width: 193px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://db.tt/bOPHgPH"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1627" class="wp-image-1627" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dropbox-logo.jpeg" alt="dropbox-logo" width="183" height="183" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dropbox-logo.jpeg 350w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dropbox-logo-150x150.jpeg 150w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dropbox-logo-300x300.jpeg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 183px) 100vw, 183px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-1627" class="wp-caption-text"><a href="https://db.tt/bOPHgPH">Dropbox</a> is the easiest way to get photos off your smartphone and onto your computer’s hard drive.</p></div></p>
<h1>Etsy Tips</h1>
<p><a href="http://etsy.com">Etsy.com</a> is the web’s most popular marketplace for handmade, vintage, and supplies.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://etsypreneur.com/">Etsypreneur</a> – How to market crafts, from the folks behind <a href="http://www.everythingetsy.com/">EverythingEtsy</a></li>
<li><a href="http://craft.tutsplus.com/articles/the-business-of-craft/how-to-get-your-product-on-the-front-page-of-etsy/">How to Get Your Product on the Front Page of Etsy</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.handmadeology.com/how-to-get-featured-in-thousands-of-etsy-treasuries/">Get Featured in Thousands of Etsy Treasuries</a></li>
<li><a href="http://rifferaff.typepad.com/make_it/2008/11/how-to-get-on-the-etsy-front-page.html">How to get on the Etsy Front Page</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/how-to-create-a-cohesive-shop/">Create a Cohesive Shop</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.craftcount.com/">Craftcount.com’s Top Etsy Sellers Chart</a></li>
</ul>
<h1>Food Photography</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://pinchofyum.com/tasty-food-photography">Tasy Food Photography by PinchOfYum </a>– This popular food blogger literally wrote <em>the book</em> on food photography!</li>
<li><a href="http://pinchofyum.com/ten-household-items-that-can-improve-your-food-photography">10 Household Items that Can Improve Your Food Photography</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2012/01/5-tips-for-food-photography.html">5 Tips for Food Photography</a></li>
<li><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-to-improve-your-food-photography-styling">10 Tips to Improve Your Food Photography Styling</a></li>
<li><a href="http://momadvice.com/blog/2012/02/food-photography-101">Food Photography 101 </a>– In depth!</li>
<li><a href="http://blog.photoshelter.com/2013/05/back-to-basics-food-photography-lighting-styling/">Back to Basics Food Photography Lighting & Styling</a></li>
<li><a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2013/05/01/food-photography-tips-gone-very-wrong/">Food Photography Tips Gone Wrong </a>– A hilarious look at food photography mishaps</li>
</ul>
<h1>Lighting</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://photography-cameras.org/tips/lighting-tips-and-techniques-for-photography">Lighting Tips and Techniques for Photography</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B607ZAG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00B607ZAG&linkCode=as2&tag=diy07a-20">Lighting for Product Photography</a> – Lighting is the essence of great photos, no matter what your camera. This is <strong>the</strong> handbook guide to lighting your products.
<p><div id="attachment_868" style="width: 221px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B607ZAG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00B607ZAG&linkCode=as2&tag=diy07a-20"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-868" class="size-full wp-image-868" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/lighting_for_product_photography1.jpg" alt="lighting_for_product_photography" width="211" height="266" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-868" class="wp-caption-text">DIYCraft’s favorite lighting book.</p></div></li>
<li><a href="http://www.learnmyshot.com/How-to-Create-Sunshine-Effect-in-Studio-with-Artificial-Sunlight">Fake a Sunshine Efffect in Studio with Artificial Sunlight</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.rhythmhousedrums.com/blog/djembe-photo-how-to/">Photographing a Product Outdoors </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/2011/05/photography-secrets-for-shooting-in-your-home.html">Photography Secrets for Shooting in Your Home</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/2013/01/diy-photography-light-studio-set-up.html">DIY Photography Light Studio Setup</a> – Great tips on lighting, such as using both a CFL and an incandescent bulb</li>
<li><a href="http://www.handmadeology.com/clothing-photography-tips-making-your-product-pop/">Making your Product Pop with Bounce Lighting</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.handmadeology.com/cut-wrap-and-make-your-silver-jewelry-shine-product-photography-tips/">Cut, Wrap, and Make Your Silver Jewelry Shine</a> – Easy tutorial on tinfoil bounce cards for spectacularly shiny jewelry</li>
<li><a href="http://www.ishtarolivera.com/blog/2010/04/photo-tutorial-part-one/">Ishtar Olivera’s Photo Tutorial Part 1 </a>– Do’s and Don’ts, behind the scenes, DIY bounce panels</li>
<li><a href="http://www.semisweetdesigns.com/2012/09/19/diy-food-photography-lighting/">DIY Food Photography Lighting</a> shows how SemiSweetDesigns takes great photos with a couple of IKEA lamps</li>
<li><a href="http://fstoppers.com/learn-about-managing-reflections-in-this-simple-product-photography-tutorial">Managing Reflections with this Simple Product Photography Tutorial</a> – Fantastic tutorial with professional results</li>
</ul>
<h1>DIY Lightboxes</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://blog.bigcommerce.com/how-to-rock-product-photography-on-a-budget/">How to Rock Product Photography on a Budget</a> – A plastic storage container + light clamps = one professional-looking photography setup!</li>
<li><a href="http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/2013/01/diy-photography-light-studio-set-up.html">DIY Photography Light Studio Setup</a> – A foldable DIY photo studio and great tips on lighting, such as combining a CFL and an incandescent bulb</li>
<li><a href="http://www.viauphotography.com/blog/post/2011/02/09/Tutorial-Create-a-White-Background-for-Your-Photography.aspx">Create a White Background for your Photography</a> – Designed for use indoors with sunlight as the only light source</li>
<li><a href="http://www.beautezine.com/chit-chat-diy-lightbox-product-photography/">DIY Lightbox Product Photography</a> – A novel lighting arrangement gets great results</li>
<li><a href="http://makingitlovely.com/2008/10/16/faq-product-photography-part-two/">Product Photography part 2</a> – DIY lightbox made from a clear plastic crate and a 4-lamp setup</li>
</ul>
<h1>Macro (Close Up) Photography</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2008/staying-sharp-achieving-clarity-and-crispness-in-your-photos/">Achieving Clarity and Crispness in your Photos</a></li>
<li><a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-6501_7-57560030-95/how-to-get-blurry-backgrounds-with-a-point-and-shoot/">How to get Blurry Backgrounds with a Point and Shoot</a> – Using Macro mode for a blurred background</li>
</ul>
<h1>Handmade Marketplaces</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.aftcra.com/">Aftcra</a> – Prides itself on American-made handmade goods (no supplies or vintage items) and <strong>charges no listing fee!</strong></li>
<li><a href="http://www.artfire.com/">Artfire</a> – Vibrant craft community that offers a help number for sellers and <strong>free listings</strong></li>
<li><a href="http://etsy.com">Etsy</a> – The web’s best known handmade marketplace, but each listing costs 20 cents and recent listings are given search priority</li>
<li><a href="http://folksy.com/">Folksy</a> – A UK-run craft marketplace, pay per listing or subscribe with an annual fee</li>
</ul>
<h1>Jewelry Photography</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bmpt1.com/tutorialimages/jewelry01/jewelrytutorial01.html">Basic Macro Photography for Jewelry</a> – Super clever use of Styrofoam containers to create a lightbox and plenty of post processing tips</li>
<li><a href="http://www.handmadeology.com/the-dos-and-donts-of-product-photography-for-etsy-sellers/">Do’s and Don’ts of Product Photography</a> – Shows off a seller’s growth as a photographer, photos go from blah to WOW</li>
<li><a href="http://stylecampaign.com/blog/2009/05/10-etsy-sellers-share-jewelry-photography-tips/">10 Etsy Sellers Share Jewelry Photography Tips</a></li>
<li><a href="http://beadaciouslyyours.blogspot.com/2010/08/photos-of-jewelry-in-natural-sun-light.html">Photos of Jewelry in Natural Sun Light</a></li>
</ul>
<h1>Post Processing</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=4963">Photoshop Tutorial: Creating a White Background</a></li>
<li><a href="/photoshop-tutorial-fake-a-background-blur/">Photoshop Tutorial: Fake a Background Blur</a></li>
<li><a href="http://lifecraftinessandeverythingelse.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-to-use-lightbox-and-photo-editing.html">How to Use a Lightbox and Photo Editing </a>– DIY light box followed by adjustments in Photoshop</li>
<li><a href="http://beadaciouslyyours.blogspot.com/2010/08/photos-of-jewelry-in-natural-sun-light.html">Photographing Jewelry in Natural Sunlight</a></li>
<li><a href="http://blog.studiowaterstone.com/2010/07/playing-with-your-photographs.html">Playing with your Photographs</a> – Blurring and greyscaling the background make the product POP!</li>
<li><a href="/photoshop-cs6-settings-tips/">Photoshop Settings Tips</a></li>
</ul>
<h1>White Balance</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/introduction-to-white-balance">Introduction to White Balance</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ilovephotography.com/blog/custom-in-camera-while-balance-tutorial/">Custom In-Camera White Balance Tutorial</a></li>
<li><a href="http://photo.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-get-white-balance-correct-in-camera-every-time/">How to get White Balance Correct in Camera Every Time</a> – Exhaustive and detailed guide to in-camera white balance</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Note to readers:</strong> <em>Some links in this article are Amazon Affiliate links. Read DIYCraftPhotography’s <a href="/affiliate-disclosure/">full disclosure here</a>.</em></p>
<p><strong>Okay, what else is out there? The web is HUGE – tell us what we missed!!</strong></p>
<p> </p>
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<item>
<title>The Magic of Bounce Lighting</title>
<link>/the-magic-of-bounce-lighting/</link>
<comments>/the-magic-of-bounce-lighting/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[M. Johnson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 30 Aug 2013 07:00:56 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Lighting]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[lighting]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=531</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Have you heard of bounce lighting? Bounce lighting is a super easy, no-budget way of making your product photos look amaaaazing. Do your product photos have harsh shadows on one side? Are you taking photos next to a sunlit window? Is your lighting uneven? Does the shadow under your product blend into your product itself?...</p><p><a class="more-link" href="/the-magic-of-bounce-lighting/">Read More</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Have you heard of bounce lighting? Bounce lighting is a super easy, no-budget way of making your product photos look amaaaazing.</p>
<ul>
<li>Do your product photos have <strong>harsh shadows on one side</strong>?</li>
<li>Are you <strong>taking photos next to a sunlit window</strong>?</li>
<li>Is your <strong>lighting uneven</strong>?</li>
<li>Does the <strong>shadow under your product</strong> <strong>blend into your product itself</strong>?</li>
</ul>
<p>What bounce lighting can do for your product photos is practically <em>magic</em>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/magic_bounce_lighting.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-532" alt="magic of bounce lighting fills in shadows and brightens products" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/magic_bounce_lighting.jpg" width="512" height="1536" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/magic_bounce_lighting.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/08/magic_bounce_lighting-100x300.jpg 100w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/08/magic_bounce_lighting-341x1024.jpg 341w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>My bounce card is made from a <strong>cardboard box flap</strong> and a <strong>sheet of tinfoil</strong> held on with a few strips of <strong>duct tape</strong>. <strong>Budget:</strong> $0.</p>
<p>Bounce lighting is one of those techniques that you don’t hear about when you’re first getting started with photographing handmade crafts or food. But once you know about it, it makes all the difference in the world! Here’s one more example of bounce lighting in action:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/bounce_lighting_before_after.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-537" alt="DIY bounce lighting example before and after" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/bounce_lighting_before_after.jpg" width="512" height="769" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/bounce_lighting_before_after.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/08/bounce_lighting_before_after-199x300.jpg 199w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p>
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</item>
<item>
<title>Beyond the Pale: 6 Alternatives to White Backgrounds</title>
<link>/6-alternatives-to-white-backgrounds/</link>
<comments>/6-alternatives-to-white-backgrounds/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[M. Johnson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sun, 25 Aug 2013 07:00:44 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Composition & Techniques]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[backgrounds]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[bokeh]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=152</guid>
<description><![CDATA[White backgrounds are definitely in – just visit Etsy on any random day and take a look at the featured items! A white background is the current favorite, but experimenting with alternative backgrounds for your photos can be hugely rewarding. Play up your product’s personality, make it pop – experiment and have fun. Stand out in...</p><p><a class="more-link" href="/6-alternatives-to-white-backgrounds/">Read More</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><div id="attachment_459" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/etsy_white_backgrounds.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-459" class="size-full wp-image-459" alt="Bland? Many crafters agree!" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/etsy_white_backgrounds.jpg" width="512" height="411" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/etsy_white_backgrounds.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/09/etsy_white_backgrounds-300x240.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-459" class="wp-caption-text">Bland? Many crafters agree!</p></div></p>
<p>White backgrounds are definitely <em>in</em> – just visit Etsy on any random day and take a look at the featured items! A white background is the current favorite, but experimenting with alternative backgrounds for your photos can be hugely rewarding. Play up your product’s personality, make it pop – experiment and have fun.</p>
<p><strong>Stand out</strong> in a sea of whites and greys with these <strong>6 alternatives to white backgrounds</strong>.</p>
<h1>1) Black</h1>
<p>Moody and powerful,<strong> black makes a statement</strong>.</p>
<p><div id="attachment_433" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/large__79676694.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-433" class="size-full wp-image-433 " alt="six alternatives to white backgrounds for your photos black" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/large__79676694.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-433" class="wp-caption-text">photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/slipstreamblue/79676694/">bloody marty mix</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">cc</a></p></div></p>
<p>Black backgrounds hide shadows and imperfections. Light and white colored products get lost in white, but demand attention against black. Reflective black backgrounds project a feeling of <strong>sophistication and quality</strong>.</p>
<p>Experiment with <strong>black fabric</strong> (especially velvet), black <strong>plastic or acrylic</strong>, and even black <strong>electronics</strong> such as a flat-screen computer monitor for a black matte surface or a tablet for a glossy black surface. A trip to your local thrift store will yield many black vases, trays, and other surfaces to use as a photograph background for your products.</p>
<p><em><strong>Just watch out for…</strong></em></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Lint</strong></li>
<li><strong>Finger smudges</strong></li>
<li>Black that turns <strong>grey</strong> once lit and photographed</li>
<li><strong>Reflections</strong> of the ceiling, surrounding area, or your camera in shiny objects</li>
</ul>
<h1>2) Text</h1>
<p>The written word is a<strong> simple</strong> yet <strong>stylish </strong>way to fill the backgrounds of your photos. Shoot at an angle and let the words a few inches from your lens blur to easily create a sense of depth.</p>
<p><div id="attachment_439" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/alternative_background_text.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-439" class="size-full wp-image-439 " title="6 alternatives to white backgrounds for your photos text and books" alt="alternative_background_text" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/alternative_background_text.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-439" class="wp-caption-text">Steampunk key necklace from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/VooDooBunny">Voodoo Bunny Clothing Co.</a></p></div></p>
<p>Books, handwritten letters, sheet music, magazines, foreign languages, and even the comics section of your local paper can all be great backgrounds that complement the character of your product.</p>
<p>Pay attention to <strong>font size, word density,</strong> and <strong>the spacing between lines</strong>. The necklace shown in the image to the left didn’t look as nice over a different book where the text was larger and the lines further apart.</p>
<p>When posing your product be aware of the eye’s tendency to “read” left to right. Position your text in a way that feels natural to the eye. If the flow of text in your background is angled oddly or upside down, it might become distracting.</p>
<p><em><strong>Just watch out for…</strong></em></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Readable text! </strong> Make sure the focus is squarely on your subject (and not on <em>50 Shades of Grey</em> behind your object <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f609.png" alt="đ" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> ).</li>
</ul>
<h1>3) Wood</h1>
<p>Wood is an incredibly versatile photo background: it can be <strong>dressed up or down</strong>, made <strong>bright or dark</strong>, and offers plenty of <strong>texture</strong> and <strong>subtle detail</strong>. It’s all in how you style it.</p>
<p><div style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/large__8054821205.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="six alternatives to white backgrounds wood planks and boards" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/large__8054821205.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Weathered wood planks give a sense of history and perhaps coziness to an image. <br /> photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fiery-phoenix/8054821205/">Fiery-Phoenix</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a></p></div></p>
<p><strong>Whitewashed + weathered</strong> = casual, shabby chic</p>
<p><strong>Dark + rich</strong> = sophistication, masculinity</p>
<p><strong>Worn + grey</strong> = autumn, coziness</p>
<p>Your home probably doesn’t have perfectly-weathered floorboards (bathed in perfect lighting, no less!), but wood surfaces are so common it’s easy to overlook them.</p>
<p>Here are just a few places to look for wood suitable for photo backgrounds:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Park benches</strong></li>
<li><strong>Backyard decks</strong></li>
<li><strong>Picnic tables</strong></li>
<li><strong>Fences</strong></li>
<li><strong>Cabinet doors</strong> (easy to remove and lay flat, if you’ve got a drill or screwdriver handy)</li>
<li><strong>Desks </strong>and<strong> dining room tables</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><em>Feeling handy? </em></p>
<p><strong></strong>You can build your own bit of fake floor by creating a<strong> floor drop</strong>! Floor drops can be purchased ready-made, but making your own is easy and <em>way</em> less expensive.</p>
<p>Head over to your local home improvement store and purchase a few wooden boards and a small container of <strong>wood stain</strong> <em>(rich or pale, up to you!)</em> or<strong> paint</strong> <em>(any color!). </em>Nail the boards to a single strip of wood to create a patch of floor, and then stain or paint the whole thing to your liking.</p>
<p><strong>LittleInspiration</strong> has a <a href="http://littleinspiration.com/2013/01/diy-floordrop-for-food-or-product-photography.html ">fabulous tutorial for creating your very own, under $5 floor drop</a>.</p>
<p><em>Feeling clever? </em></p>
<p>Head on over to your local flooring store and pick out a few sample boards of hardwood or laminate floors to borrow for a day. Photograph your crafts, then return the samples.</p>
<p><em><strong>Just watch out for…</strong></em></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Splinters!</strong></li>
<li><strong>Dirt on outdoor surfaces</strong></li>
</ul>
<h1>4) Nature</h1>
<p><strong>Rocks, leaves, flowers</strong> – the possibilities are nearly endless when you use nature as your background.</p>
<p><div id="attachment_455" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/alternative_background_nature.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-455" class="size-full wp-image-455 " alt="alternatives to white backgrounds for craft photos nature bark" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/alternative_background_nature.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-455" class="wp-caption-text">A piece of bark and a tree stump make a natural background. <br /> Steampunk key necklace from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/VooDooBunny">Voodoo Bunny Clothing Co.</a></p></div></p>
<p>Look for colors and textures that complement your product instead of competing with it. You don’t want your gorgeous silver necklace getting lost on a grey rock.</p>
<p>Need something that’s out of season or out of climate for you? Try your <strong>local craft store</strong> for an overwhelming selection of <strong>realistic-looking fake leaves and flowers</strong>. The aquarium section of your local pet store offers plenty of glittering pebbles, and large, beautiful rocks.</p>
<p>The best way to find great nature backgrounds is to take your craft products and camera outside and just start looking around. The photo at left was taken with a chunk of tree bark found on the ground – we didn’t set out looking for it, we just found it digging around in our own yard. Your yard and local park are full of potential photo props you haven’t even <em>thought of</em> yet, so go out and explore!</p>
<p><em><strong>Just watch out for…</strong></em></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Bugs and dirt</strong> – nature is natural! <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f609.png" alt="đ" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<h1>5) Patterned Fabric or Paper</h1>
<p>You won’t know what you have stashed away until you start looking, so dig deep in that basket or drawer of fabrics you’ve got stashed away. Placemats, drapes, duvet covers, fabric – you’ve probably got tons to work with right there in your home!</p>
<p><div id="attachment_437" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/background_alternative_fabric_small.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-437" class="size-full wp-image-437 " alt="alternatives to white photo backgrounds patterned fabric" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/background_alternative_fabric_small.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-437" class="wp-caption-text">Paisley fabric and cozy indoor lighting create an old-timey mood for this necklace. <br /> Steampunk key necklace from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/VooDooBunny">Voodoo Bunny Clothing Co.</a></p></div></p>
<p>If you need your fabric to stand upright, pin the fabric to the back of a sofa or clip it to poster board.</p>
<p>Also consider brown wrapping paper, holiday wrapping paper, canvas bags, and textured paper.</p>
<p><em><strong>Just watch out for…</strong></em></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Distracting patterns</strong> – keep the focus on your craft product!</li>
<li><strong>Wrinkles and folds</strong> – much easier to press out before you take photos, harder to remove in Photoshop</li>
</ul>
<h1>Bokeh Background</h1>
<p>You’ve seen this effect before: extremely out of focus lights become bright circles in the background. The term “Bokeh” refers to the “out of focus” area of a photo, often the background. The word comes from the Japanese “boke”, meaning “blur”.</p>
<p><div id="attachment_434" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/large__4266283238.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-434" class="size-full wp-image-434 " alt="alternatives to white backgrounds bokeh blur" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/large__4266283238.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-434" class="wp-caption-text">photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/seyyed_mostafa_zamani/4266283238/">seyed mostafa zamani</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a></p></div></p>
<p>Point and shoot cameras tend to focus on… everything, making it difficult to capture a sharp subject with a blurry background. To get a bokeh effect with your point and shoot, try putting your camera into Macro (flower) mode or Portrait mode, or zooming all the way in and standing far away (a tripod will help).</p>
<p><em><strong>Just watch out for…</strong></em></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Bad looking blurs</strong> – Your foreground object must be in sharp focus to pull off a successful bokeh effect. Don’t let your photos end up looking amateurish in attempt to get a neat effect in the background.</li>
</ul>
<h1>More Inspiration</h1>
<p>iheartnaptime.net has a fantastic post called <a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/my-photography-tips/">My Photography Tips</a> that shows off some of her background staging techniques. Seriously, check it out – the texture and depth she adds with simple props and techniques are incredible!</p>
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</item>
<item>
<title>Product Photography Lighting Tips for Absolute Beginners</title>
<link>/product-photography-lighting-tips/</link>
<comments>/product-photography-lighting-tips/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[M. Johnson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Aug 2013 13:00:10 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Composition & Techniques]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lighting]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[camera]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[flash]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[lighting]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[photography]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[white backgrounds]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=313</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Let’s take better photos! It’s all in the lighting. Follow these four product photography lighting tips and get ready for amazing photos that encourage clicks and beg for Pinterest repins! Tip 1: Take photos without flash This is Rule #1 when it comes to taking nice-looking product photos. You’ve probably faced this problem: leaving flash...</p><p><a class="more-link" href="/product-photography-lighting-tips/">Read More</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><div id="attachment_875" style="width: 451px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/product_photography_lighting_for_beginners_pinterest.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-875" class="size-full wp-image-875 " alt="product photography lighting tips for beginners" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/product_photography_lighting_for_beginners_pinterest.jpg" width="441" height="364" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/product_photography_lighting_for_beginners_pinterest.jpg 441w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/08/product_photography_lighting_for_beginners_pinterest-300x247.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 441px) 100vw, 441px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-875" class="wp-caption-text">Sushi the plush betta fish looks great in natural daylight!</p></div></p>
<p>Let’s take better photos! It’s all in the lighting. Follow these four product photography lighting tips and get ready for amazing photos that encourage clicks and beg for Pinterest repins!</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Tip 1: Take photos without flash</h1>
<p dir="ltr">This is Rule #1 when it comes to taking nice-looking product photos.<strong> You’ve probably faced this problem:</strong> leaving flash <strong>ON makes your products look blown out </strong>– but turning the flash <strong>OFF makes your photos dark and grainy!</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Compare these two photos to see what I mean:</p>
<p><div id="attachment_878" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/diycraft_flash_on_flash_off_comparison1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-878" class="size-full wp-image-878 " alt="product photography lighting tips no flash" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/diycraft_flash_on_flash_off_comparison1.jpg" width="500" height="810" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/diycraft_flash_on_flash_off_comparison1.jpg 500w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/08/diycraft_flash_on_flash_off_comparison1-185x300.jpg 185w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-878" class="wp-caption-text">Christmas plushies look rounder, softer in my dining room’s ambient light from the Christmas tree and the chandelier over the table to the right.</p></div></p>
<p>So turn that flash off and rely instead on the lighting around you. Read on for easy product photography lighting tips that’ll make you wonder why you ever used the flash in the first place.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Tip 2: Head outdoors, but stay in the shade</h1>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Cool mid-day shade is perfect for many products</strong>. The shade gives your object soft shadows and smooth highlights. For the background, try a white sheet of posterboard.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I created this posterboard setup on my back deck: so easy, and it looks great in the photo!</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/product_lighting_work_in_shade.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-877 aligncenter" alt="product photography lighting tips work in the shade" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/product_lighting_work_in_shade.jpg" width="441" height="364" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/product_lighting_work_in_shade.jpg 441w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/08/product_lighting_work_in_shade-300x247.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 441px) 100vw, 441px" /></a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Watch out for:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Uneven or dappled shade</strong></li>
<li><strong>Greyish-ness</strong> or blue tints (but it’s easy to color-correct in an image editor)</li>
<li><strong>Rain!</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Read more about <a href="/how-to-take-white-background-photos/">taking photos with solid white backgrounds</a>.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Tip 3: Photograph Next to a Window</h1>
<p dir="ltr">Can’t go outside? No big deal – set up your crafts and backgrounds on a small table or chair near a window during daylight hours. Even here in cloudy Seattle, this window offered a nice ambient light perfect for my Rolo bars photo shoot.</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/tip3_use_a_window_product_photography_tips.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-879 aligncenter" alt="product photography lighting tips use a window" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/tip3_use_a_window_product_photography_tips.jpg" width="441" height="364" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/tip3_use_a_window_product_photography_tips.jpg 441w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/08/tip3_use_a_window_product_photography_tips-300x247.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 441px) 100vw, 441px" /></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">You don’t even need direct, summertime light: <strong>this rolled-up quilt was photographed about an hour before sunset in the autumn.</strong></p>
<p><div id="attachment_328" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/no_flash_next_to_window.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-328" class="size-full wp-image-328 " alt="taking great photos without flash tip number 2: photograph next to a window" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/no_flash_next_to_window.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/no_flash_next_to_window.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/09/no_flash_next_to_window-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-328" class="wp-caption-text">This lovely quilt was a wedding gift and it’s become one of DIYCraft’s unofficial mascots.</p></div></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Watch out for:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Awkward shadows</strong> (the kind that give your plushies double chins or extra feet)</li>
<li><strong>“Interesting” backgrounds</strong> – beware of what’s behind your photo! You probably don’t want your messy kitchen filling the background. <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f642.png" alt="đ" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></li>
</ul>
<h1 dir="ltr">Tip 4: Set up a small in-home âPhoto Studioâ</h1>
<p dir="ltr">For many folks living in climates where days are short, cold, and rainy, shooting indoors with lightbulbs as your light source can a worthwhile convenience. Below is my DIY photo studio, but if you’re starting from scratch you should consider an <a href="/table-top-photo-studio-kit-reviews/">all-in-one photo studio tabletop kit</a>.</p>
<p><div id="attachment_880" style="width: 451px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/tip4_product_photography_lighting_tips_photo_studio_kit.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-880" class="size-full wp-image-880 " alt="product photography lighting tips use a photo studio" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/tip4_product_photography_lighting_tips_photo_studio_kit.jpg" width="441" height="364" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/tip4_product_photography_lighting_tips_photo_studio_kit.jpg 441w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/08/tip4_product_photography_lighting_tips_photo_studio_kit-300x247.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 441px) 100vw, 441px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-880" class="wp-caption-text">Read more <a href="/anatomy-of-a-diy-home-photo-studio/">about my DIY photo studio</a>.</p></div></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Watch out for:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Multiple shadows</strong>. Diffuse your light sources with a semi-transparent sheet, and try to hit your light from just a few angles equally.</li>
<li><strong>Orange tint</strong>, but we have <a href="/photoshop-tutorial-remove-the-orange-tint-from-photos/">a beginner-friendly tutorial on removing orange tints from your photos right here</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h1 dir="ltr">Even More Tips</h1>
<p><strong>Donât worry <em>too much</em> about your camera</strong><br />
You can totally get started using what you have, even if it’s a camera phone or a point-and-shoot. Half the photos in this article were taken using a very humble iPhone 4S, the rest a three-year-old Canon point and shoot. I don’t have a fancy DSLR, and if you’re just starting out, you can get by without one.</p>
<p><strong>Use a tripod<br />
</strong>I adore my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005HY4U4Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005HY4U4Q&linkCode=as2&tag=diy07a-20" rel="nofollow">Joby GorillaPod</a> (affiliate link). The Joby tripod is flexible, short enough to be “craft-level”, and easy to manipulate. If youâre shooting indoors or in the early evening, a tripod will help reduce blur. A tripod is also great for keeping shots consistent, and putting your camera into a position you like means there’s just one less thing to fuss with setting up your shot.</p>
<p><div id="attachment_881" style="width: 288px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005HY4U4Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005HY4U4Q&linkCode=as2&tag=diy07a-20" rel="nofollow"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-881" class=" wp-image-881 " alt="joby_gorilla_pod_canon_power_shot" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/joby_gorilla_pod_canon_power_shot.jpg" width="278" height="437" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/joby_gorilla_pod_canon_power_shot.jpg 464w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/08/joby_gorilla_pod_canon_power_shot-191x300.jpg 191w" sizes="(max-width: 278px) 100vw, 278px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-881" class="wp-caption-text">My <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005HY4U4Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005HY4U4Q&linkCode=as2&tag=diy07a-20">Joby GorillaPod</a> and Canon PowerShot point-and-shoot.</p></div></p>
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<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
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<item>
<title>How to Take Great Looking White Background Photos</title>
<link>/how-to-take-white-background-photos/</link>
<comments>/how-to-take-white-background-photos/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[M. Johnson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sun, 11 Aug 2013 13:30:47 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Composition & Techniques]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[budget]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[white background]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=279</guid>
<description><![CDATA[White backgrounds are super popular, and for good reason! White backgrounds look crisp and fresh, and Etsy especially seems to love ’em! Just check out Etsy’s front page on any random day to see a bunch of white background photos: Capturing this look is easy, even for beginners – you don’t need a fancy in-home...</p><p><a class="more-link" href="/how-to-take-white-background-photos/">Read More</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p dir="ltr">White backgrounds are <em>super popular,</em> and for good reason! White backgrounds look crisp and fresh, and Etsy especially seems to love ’em! Just check out Etsy’s front page on any random day to see a bunch of white background photos:</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/etsy_white_bgs.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-294 aligncenter" alt="etsy loves white backgrounds for featured photos" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/etsy_white_bgs.jpg" width="398" height="347" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/etsy_white_bgs.jpg 497w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/09/etsy_white_bgs-300x261.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 398px) 100vw, 398px" /></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Capturing this look is easy, even for beginners – you don’t need a fancy in-home studio or expensive camera, just a sheet of white poster board and some decent mid-day lighting!</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Poster Board</h1>
<p dir="ltr">White poster board is our favorite material for making white background photos. Itâs cheap and easy to find at craft and office supply stores. Choose a large piece even if you plan on cropping the photo later. You can always trim the poster board later if itâs too big. Some poster board has a shiny side and a dull side: experiment and see which side works best.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Lighting</h1>
<p dir="ltr">It may feel a bit counter-intuitive, but photographing your crafts <strong>outdoors and <em>in the shade</em> </strong>can yield spectacular results. To show you how awesome photographing outdoors is, check out the three photos below. The background is just a simple sheet of white poster board.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/whitebackground_lighting_comparison.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-428 aligncenter" alt="Taking white background photos indoors vs. outdoors" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/whitebackground_lighting_comparison.jpg" width="400" height="819" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/whitebackground_lighting_comparison.jpg 400w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/08/whitebackground_lighting_comparison-146x300.jpg 146w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Indoors: Lighting Studio –</strong> This first photo would be serviceable in a pinch (and in winter, it’s pretty much all we’ve got to work with!), but both of the outdoor options will require less work. We also have to work around some awkward shadows cast on the wall behind his top fin.</li>
<li><strong>Outdoors: Direct Sunlight</strong> – The direct sunlight option isn’t bad, but the poor fish gets a double chin from the shadow and the bright light flattens his body a little much for our liking.</li>
<li>O<strong>utdoors: In Shade</strong> – Personally, we love the soft shadows and the dimension in the fish’s body.</li>
</ul>
<p>Here’s what the outdoor setup looks like:</p>
<p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/whitebackground_outdoors_in_shade.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-293 aligncenter" alt="whitebackground_outdoors_in_shade" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/whitebackground_outdoors_in_shade.jpg" width="512" height="341" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/whitebackground_outdoors_in_shade.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/09/whitebackground_outdoors_in_shade-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>One final word on lighting: </strong>Donât use your cameraâs flash!</p>
<p dir="ltr">If the flash is triggering as you take your photos, you need more lighting (or you just need to turn flash off, some cameras do get a little flash happy).</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Photo Tips</h1>
<p dir="ltr">Take<strong> lots</strong> of photos! Once youâre all set up, donât just take a few photos and call it done. Aim for 20+ photos of each item youâre photographing, and try different angles, arrangements, and even some weird stuff. You can always delete the unneeded photos later.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/diy_craft_photo_techniques_take_many_photos.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-291 aligncenter" alt="diy_craft_photo_techniques_take_many_photos" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/diy_craft_photo_techniques_take_many_photos-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/diy_craft_photo_techniques_take_many_photos-300x225.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/09/diy_craft_photo_techniques_take_many_photos.jpg 512w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Post-Processing</h1>
<p dir="ltr">“Post-processing” is just a fancy word for improving your photos digitally. Don’t worry if you’re completely new to photo editing: today’s editors are simple (and rather fun) to play with.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>For crafters on a budget:</strong> Check out <a href="/5-best-apps-free-photo-editing-online-2013/">Reviews on our 5 Favorite Online Photo Editors</a> – 100% free and easy to use.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It’s pretty difficult to take raw images that are usable as-is. Even the pros touch things up. With that in mind, your job as a photographer is to <strong>minimize how much has to be done</strong>. Itâs reasonable to expect to punch up brightness and contrast levels, but itâs not a good idea to count on post-processing for removing wrinkles from your background or to compensate for overly bad lighting.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In your photo editor, look for these adjustments:</p>
<ul>
<li>Auto Tone</li>
<li>Brightness/Contrast</li>
<li>Levels</li>
</ul>
<p>It usually takes just a few minutes of effort to turn a decent before into an eye-catching after:</p>
<p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/whitebackground_post_processing.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-429 aligncenter" alt="take white background photos of your crafts outdoors in the shade for great results" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/whitebackground_post_processing.jpg" width="512" height="682" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/whitebackground_post_processing.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/08/whitebackground_post_processing-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p>
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<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
</item>
<item>
<title>5 Free Ways to Take Better Craft Photos</title>
<link>/5-ways-to-take-better-craft-photos/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[M. Johnson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 31 Jul 2013 03:30:19 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Composition & Techniques]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[budget]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[free]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=40</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Great photos are essential when selling your crafts online! Your photos are your sales pitch and your only chance to show potential buyers how well-made and beautiful your crafts are. But if youâre a DIY-er, you probably donât have a huge budget or a lot of time to dedicate to photographing your crafts. Here are...</p><p><a class="more-link" href="/5-ways-to-take-better-craft-photos/">Read More</a></p>]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p dir="ltr">Great photos are <em>essential</em> when selling your crafts online! Your photos are your sales pitch and your only chance to show potential buyers how well-made and beautiful your crafts are. But if youâre a DIY-er, you probably donât have a huge budget or a lot of time to dedicate to photographing your crafts. Here are five free ways to take better craft photos!</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Get close</h1>
<p><div id="attachment_45" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/latarrodebabe_flower.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-45" class="size-full wp-image-45 " alt="photo credit: B@BĂ© via photopin cc" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/latarrodebabe_flower.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-45" class="wp-caption-text">photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/latorredebabe/1465034524/">B@BĂ©</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a></p></div></p>
<p dir="ltr">Show off that gorgeous detail! Zoom in close and set your camera to Macro to help it focus on the little details.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Imagine you’re the same size as your product and photograph your craft product from its point of view. Going “eye level” makes your craft come alive by framing it the way photographers often frame people and interesting subjects.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Photograph your crafts outside in natural daylight</h1>
<p dir="ltr">You might think you need to purchase diffusers and professional equipment to get great photos of your crafts, but sunlight is free and favored by DIYers and pros alike! Even on a cloudy day, photos you take outside in natural light will look brighter, more colorful, and more natural.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Sunlight changes color and angle throughout the day, so depending on the mood you’d like to evoke with your photos, you may get better results if you snap your photos in the hours after sunrise and in the last few hours before sunset. Mid-day sun is the strongest and often comes out too harsh, so try to shoot in the morning or late afternoon.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If you can’t photograph outside, photographing near a window with plenty of sunlight is a great alternative.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For a<strong> fantastic guide on working with windows</strong>, check out <strong>red-brolly’s</strong> DIY-friendly guide <a href="http://www.red-brolly.com/red-brolly/2013/04/photographing-your-craft-easy-natural-lighting-tips-to-try-at-home.html">Photography Tips for Crafters: Using Natural Light</a>.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Pose Your Craft</h1>
<p><div id="attachment_44" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/sunsetgirl_creations_pose_photos_.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44" class="size-full wp-image-44 " alt="photo credit: sunsetgirl creations via photopin cc" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/sunsetgirl_creations_pose_photos_.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-44" class="wp-caption-text">photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunsetgirl_creations/2259896429/">sunsetgirl creations</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a></p></div></p>
<div>
<p>Try to avoid âfly-swattedâ poses that attempt to show all surfaces of your craft. This is especially important when photographing crafts like dolls or toys.</p>
<p>Try to show your product in action: stand it up, drape it around, make it look alive! Trying to show everything in one shot tends to make your craft appear flat. You can always add additional angles, but your main photo should look inviting and interesting, not lifeless or clinical.</p>
</div>
<h1 dir="ltr">Turn off the flash!</h1>
<p dir="ltr">A camera flash flattens your image and, in many cases, produces awkward bright spots. If your flash is going off, it’s probably because you aren’t using enough lighting. Try moving to a more well-lit room, or shooting your photos outside.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Donât shoot into the light</h1>
<p><div id="attachment_46" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/backlit_craft_photography.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-46" class="size-full wp-image-46 " alt="backlit_craft_photography" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/backlit_craft_photography.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-46" class="wp-caption-text">photo credit: <a href="http://blushplush.com">Blush Plush</a> used with permission</p></div></p>
<p dir="ltr">Placing your craft against a window might look good in real life, but the photo will likely show a very dark, almost silhouetted craft against a bright background. Your camera needs more light than your eyeball does to make out details, and most basic cameras are not very good at dealing with contrast.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Arrange your craft product until the light is on the side you intend to photograph.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>There you have it: five free ways to start taking better craft photos today!</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Have a great tip we missed? Share it below in the comments!</p>
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