Kitta.net - Don’t feed or spank the monkey

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Spare black fabric

Posted on Thursday, 6th May 2004 at 10:16pm

Anyone that makes their own jewellery knows one thing, that one thing is that trying to take a good picture of your creations can be a bitch. I was looking around some forums when I saw a post by a woman who said she uses a scanner and a black piece of material on top of the jewellery to get some decent images. I had tried the scanning method before, with a white sheet of paper, but didn’t get good results. So I was a bit hesitant, yet since I had some spare black fabric and not much to do a few nights ago, I decided to give it a go anyway. Amazingly, I got some pretty good results and I’ve added the pictures to the jewellery section.

The only problem is you can only use this method for flat jewellery; any piece that uses large lampwork type beads tends to become quite blurry, as you can see in the image below.

Oh well, when I get a better camera I’ll be able to take some good shots of all my pieces that use lampwork beads.

21 Responses to “Spare black fabric”

Anita Says:
May 7th, 2004 at 1:14am
I love the bottom one - Light blue looks so good with white. I want one!
stu Says:
May 7th, 2004 at 3:56am
hey kitta, i have just had a great marketing picture idea,, why dont you get one of those window shop dummies, paint it black and hang the jewl stuff on it. then take your camera to hand and shoot away, or you could just hang on your self and get some one else to take the pic, that would be cooler, imagine the chain with a pendant around your neck and the pendant laying over your clevage complimenting the pendant, i think i better sign off before i get carried away
Steve Says:
May 7th, 2004 at 5:12am
If you use lamps and turn off the flash on your camera you should be able to get a decent picture.
Daniel Tomasiewicz Says:
May 7th, 2004 at 6:04am
I like stu’s cleavage idea I think you should give that a try :p
Simon Says:
May 7th, 2004 at 7:45am
Set up your own online store.

http://www.simonsrealm.net
Max Says:
May 7th, 2004 at 1:49pm
I can imagine photographing jewellery being a complete pain.

If I was doing it I’d probably try and get someone to model the pieces (you obviously only need to get their neck/ear/whatever). Clothes/jewellery etc usually look better in some sort of context.

That said you still have to make sure you get the detail of the piece, so perhaps you should also include a detail picture of the necklace by itself. I quite like the way this piece is photographed, so that it appears to have some depth but also has the ‘floating’ illusiong (as in it has no background).

You could achieve that quite easily by just curving a white piece of paper/material to create a flawless background and then just lighting it properly.
Angela Says:
May 7th, 2004 at 1:50pm
Hey kitta, you will get heaps better shots if you turn off the flash and set the camera on a tripod so you dont get blur. Hope that helps
Kitta Says:
May 7th, 2004 at 7:15pm
The light blue and white one on the bottom looks fantastic on, and I really should name some of my pieces, ‘that blue one’ could become confusing after a while. Also, when I get everything set up I’ll probably be selling a few of the light blue and white ones Anita.

Simon, I will be doing that soon.

Steve and Angela, I’ve been looking into how a few other people take photos of their jewellery, like Connie Fox for example. I’ve tried everything with my current camera… Inside, outside, no flash, flash, tripod and it always comes out quite blurry. So I’m pretty much convinced it’s the camera, it is only a logitech after all and I did drop it a while back, so It’s no wonder it can’t capture the detail that I want.
Event Horizon Says:
May 7th, 2004 at 8:56pm
Yes, get yourself a better camera … a Minolta perhaps.
All the best.
Jade Says:
May 8th, 2004 at 4:14am
You’ve know officially inspired my new hobby. =D
I couldn’t find out any arts and craft fayers that were going on right now so instead I found some really good beading shops here and I’m trying to get a hold of some books etc.
I’m pretty excited about the whole thing.

I really like those blue earings you’ve made. So cool.
Tom Says:
May 8th, 2004 at 11:35am
I think it would look best with a nice backdrop. Try taking it outside and use the sunlight as your lighting. Nuclear Fusion might work better than eletrical resistance. But put that Jewelery in front of like purple flowers.
CC Says:
May 8th, 2004 at 4:08pm
Hey first time here:) From orkut. Well the jewellery is pretty good n I am not so sure about the scanner things, but the pictures look quite good, so does the jewellery( i said that b4 as well..lol) and do u make something for men by any chance…lol
victor Says:
May 8th, 2004 at 4:21pm
damn… ¬¬ i dont know how to use html code…

love this –>http://www.kitta.net/images/jewel/jewelimage4.jpg

haha easier
Kitta Says:
May 8th, 2004 at 7:08pm
Jade, I’m glad I inspired you. Try asking the beading stores if they offer (or know of) lessons in your local area, you can learn on your own, but the lessons tend to teach you all the tricks that it can sometimes take months to stumble upon. Books are also great for learning, Amazon has some great ones. If you have any questions send me an email and have fun beading.

CC, I’ve been on the look out for beads and such which are more for men, but they’re quite hard to get a hold of at good prices. I shall not give up though.

Victor, that is one of my favourites too.
Minnesota Dan Says:
May 9th, 2004 at 11:34am
Sorry .. a bit out of context here. How do you cure a really bad sun burn??
That time of year.. be careful people!! I am paying the price!:(
Xman Says:
May 10th, 2004 at 6:24am
Even without a great cam, the bead work is looking quite extraordinary (that’s what my sister tells me.)
Mel Says:
May 10th, 2004 at 8:33pm
Oh wow it all looks so pretty! Yey for finding a way that works rather well.
Kitta Says:
May 10th, 2004 at 8:58pm
Dan, get some aloe vera gel witch about 80% to 90% pure aloe.

I’m glad you all like my jewellery, I’ve had a ton of emails about it and I’ll be working hard over the next few weeks to make more.
Matli! Says:
May 11th, 2004 at 2:23am
Minn. Dan.

When I get blasted by the sun and am in a jam I just break out my Solarcaine can!

Spray Away!

Signed,

The biggest Twins fan East of the Mississippi
ggb Says:
May 11th, 2004 at 12:38pm
That jewellery on your cam looks like a D&D item XD

If you never heard of D&D…uhh…disregard this post lol
Becki Says:
May 11th, 2004 at 4:32pm
Wow,
Hunny you are so talanted, you should def start selling them!

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