Buffalo
Etsy Team Workshop Series #1
Show Them What You’ve Got!
Photography for the Etsy Shop Owner (and other online sellers)
Recently
the Buffalo Etsy Team held the first in a series of workshops
for Etsy shop
owners and online sellers. The focus of this workshop was product
photography.
Professional
Freelance photographer, Mark Busch (http://markandrewbusch.com/what-i-do/
) presented a very interesting and informative workshop on how to take great
photos with the equipment you have.
Mark began with a basic
overview of photographic terminology and camera settings; not only for
professional grade cameras, but for point and shoot cameras as well.
Next Mark explained to participants
how to use inexpensive and often-on-hand items to improve their photos. PVC
pipe, work lights with clamps, a cardboard box, white paper and aluminum foil
were all put to use at various times.
Mark also demonstrated how to use an inexpensive light box (found on Amazon.com)
The workshop was a great
success, as you can see from the comments of the participants:
Linda
I’m inspired to use a light
tent that I've had for a while but haven’t used. The two lights that were clamped to the sides
would be very helpful to me to give my jewelry added light.
_____________________________________
Suzanne
I am now using the
light setting on my camera to correct for the different types of available
light. I didn't even know that my camera had that function, but now that
I do, I'm using it to somewhat correct for the poor lighting and different
types of light conditions in our house.
He also explained
how to create a larger version of a light tent setup that used PVC pipes and a
roll of craft paper. Using that along with the light clamps on each side
of the tent and above with paper to spread out the light would be very helpful
with my larger felt items that might not fit in a light tent very
easily (e.g. larger handbags or the felt scarves).
_____________________________________
Erica
I didn't realize
Amazon would be a good source to purchase a light box to take photographs.
I did and am pleased with my purchase.
_____________________________________
Strix
I never thought about the
type of light. I always thought it only
really mattered if it was bright enough.
Now I better understand how to compensate for lighting conditions that
I’m using by changing my camera settings.
_____________________________________
Sarah
Since I don’t have a good camera and I used my Iphone, I was having trouble maintaining color of my fabrics. I learned that I could take photos outside or by the window even on a cloudy day and still get a good photo. Just by making sure that the sun is at a good position in the sky when you are shooting, you can maintain the proper color of the fabric. Also, a cloudy day can actually work to your advantage for maintaining colors since there is a natural filter on the sun.
_____________________________________
Sara
I learned that using a
white paper in the back of the item can reflect back light onto the back of the
item being photographed. This helps
eliminate the inevitable shadow. I’m
always trying to eliminate glare and shadows on my pottery.
The
workshop was held at Creative Essence (http://www.creativeessenceshop.com)
in Clarence Center, NY. The Buffalo Etsy
Team would like to thank Michele and Tammy for being wonderful hostesses. Stop in and say hello. It’s a wonderful place
to create!
