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Need suggestions on how to take good photos of my finished quilts

Need suggestions on how to take good photos of my finished quilts

Old 02-28-2012, 05:01 PM
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Lightbulb Need suggestions on how to take good photos of my finished quilts

I would like to take some pictures of my finished quilts and post them. Do most people use a point and shoot camera? I wish that I had a clothes line to hang them from. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Old 02-28-2012, 05:06 PM
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There was a thread specifically about this some time ago. We need one of our search experts to find it for us!

I have a fairly simple digital camera that takes great pics. The best thing is that it focuses automatically. If I have a small quilt to depict, I put it on my design board. If I have something larger, I use one or two pressure grip pants hangars to grasp it, and hang those on a tall bookcase we have in the living room. In the summer, I remember that the advice was to go outside to take a pic. I use the gripper hangars and hang them on the deck wall.
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Old 02-28-2012, 05:20 PM
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If you take your photo outside, then like all outdoor photography don't take a photo in the middle of the day. The bright sunshine will bleach out your colors. Don't take a photo in the shade; it will change your colors. The best time of day for the light is early morning up to a couple of hours after the sun is fully up and the last hour before sunset. It is all based on the angle of the sunlight. No matter what you are shooting, the last hour of the day will give you magic lighting due to the angle that the light hits the earth.

Last edited by TanyaL; 02-28-2012 at 05:25 PM.
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Old 02-28-2012, 05:45 PM
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I've draped my quilts over fences, have asked family members to hold them up, and hung them from the gutter with skirt or pant hangers. You will have the best lighting if you pick a bright cloudy day - not dark cloudy, and not full sun. Cloudy but bright will give you the best lighting without a bluish tint, and you won't have burnout or shadows caused by full sun.

Here is a link to a GREAT site that will help you create the best setup and take the best pictures, especially if you want to shoot indoors. She uses layman's terms and her recommendations for lighting, etc. are affordable.

http://www.hollyknott.com/stq/index.htm
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Old 02-28-2012, 06:27 PM
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I have two pieces of metal screwed to a blank wall and then use magnetic clips to hold the quilts in place. Then I use a digital camera. Usually takes good pics. I avoid outside shots for all the reasons listed above......bright sunlight, shadows, etc.
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Old 02-28-2012, 07:28 PM
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I hang mine using pant hangers on my shower curtain rod!
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Old 02-28-2012, 07:38 PM
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All great suggestions. I have hung from the trailer outback and from thw bannister upstairs.
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Old 02-29-2012, 04:26 AM
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I set mine on the hardwood floor then stand on a chair and take the picture.
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Old 02-29-2012, 04:34 AM
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all good suggestions, I agree overcast light is best (no shadows). I have used thumbtacks to hang a top from the molding around a double closet door (put them in from the top of the molding to avoid visible holes. Or tack to an outside wall if possible. It depends on where you can hang your quilt and where you have enough room to stand back far enough.

I am amazed at how many quilt sellers on Etsy have their main picture one where the quilt is all scrunched up on a chair, or even folded!! When a buyer is sorting through thumbnails, the quilt picture should really stand out.
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Old 02-29-2012, 04:42 AM
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Thanks for all the suggestions . I am going to experiment with some of the techniques today.
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