Product Photography 101: Part 2

Showing Off Your Product

Hi guys. Your responses to yesterday's post on product photography confirmed my suspicions. It's not just me that struggles with this part of selling products on etsy, or any other online venue for that matter.

So, I've been searching for info and reading more. This will be an ongoing thing.   I found a really super article on 6 Bittersweets that has some points that resounded with me: 

- "everyone starts photographing with no experience and little technical skill"

-"it's a skill to be mastered and honed through constant practice/study rather than some gift you have to be born with

-it's important to remember where we started off to maintain perspective on how we've grown

Wow, I feel better already. Now 6 Bittersweets is a food blog, but I think there are many pointers from food photography that apply to product photography just as well.

Armed with that boost in my self confidence,that it's ok to be photographically challenged when it somes to product photography, I filled a basket with products and props. Once the morning fog lifted I headed outside. Call me a sucker for natural light. So again, I offer up some before an afters.

[before]

Blech. Took this indoors at night.

This one too.

Could you tell?

Now here's one I took indoors with natural lighting from the door.

Better lighting to be sure, but pretty boring. I mean, this tea pot is cute as hell, but this picture sure isn't.

[after]

"Why yes, I'd love a cuppa tea while I read some poetry." It's not perfect, but I think it's a long way from those awful yellowy indoor/at night photos.

[after]

Neither 'after photo' is quite as boring as the befores. The sun came out from behind a cloud when I took the one above, as I'm sure you can tell from the shadows. Regardless, an improvement I think.

I've had a red belt listed in the Bates Mercantile Co. store on esty too.  No horrible nighttime pictures of the belt, but yes on the boring.

[before]

I mean, it's fine. It just doesn't sing.

Apparently I forgot to focus this one. I know why it's like that. I was trying to get a good shot of the label info. That's all well and good, but even that's not in very good focus. The picture behind it looks better than the belt.

Hmmm, what do you wear belts with? Yup. Blue jeans (or dungarees, whichever you prefer...right Mom?).

[after]

Props can really help you tell the story of your product. Belts go with jeans.  Below I used a mini body form I have (thanks Mom), to associate with fashion.

[after]

So while there is still much learning and praticing to do, and many photos to take. I feel like I've gained some good knowledge this week.  I'll be sharing more on my trials and tribulations of trying to improve my product photography and the resources I find along the way in the very near future.

Did you notice it's Friday? That means there are less than 6 days to enter the October Giveaway. If I were you, I'd enter..... but as the host- I can't. But you should. 

Our plans for the weekend include picking up the yard- taking down the screen house, covering the pool, putting summer chairs away and basically battening down the hatches. It's a beautiful day today and I'm thoroughly enjoyed being outside this morning. Apparently we have a hurricane on its way, so the Sun is quite a blessing today.

Freeform Friday

We might have a campfire out back tonight. Always sounds great to me. Of course, you know us, Friday often brings on a little YouTube dancing and singing. If we 'go' there tonight, this will be on my list. Now, I like Beyonce, but I've never been any huge fan. I may have to change that after this performance. She's just ridiculous. Her and her legs. Her, her legs and her dancers.  Her, her legs, her dancers, and her dancers' legs. Her, her legs, her dancers, her dancers' legs, and her voice. It's all about her love for being on stage and giving everyone a great show. This girl is a serious performer and this one makes me get up and dance. (how on earth do they do this in those heels?).   "Now Ladies, put your hand in his face....whoa uh oh oh, uh uh oh....hey ay yeah." If you like then you shoulda put a ring on it.  Click here if you're reading by email.

Have a great Friday and of course a fantabulous weekend,