miriam

Position sewing machine in such a way you don't get, as Rodney said, embarrassing things in the way.
Camera set on tulip mode what ever that is. (I think mine is on that forever - takes terrible pictures when traveling)
Get some light that doesn't glare too much.
Point camera and hope for the best. Shoot a few dozen pictures then load them on the computer and look to see what turns up. Usually extra lint or dried up oil... parts missing... Go clean off the lint and oil and reshoot a couple dozen pictures. Look out for embarrassing reflections... In some cases look out for little kids peaking through the machine at you.

manicmike

The tulip means close up pictures, or macro mode.

miriam

yup well if I get it off tulip how do I get it back on? LOL

HelenAnn

I use my I Iphone camera, my favorite camera so far. ( I have owned the big name film and dsl)
After I take the photos I upload them to Picasa where I can edit or delete them. When I edit them I upload the ones I want to post to my desk to folder. I label the desktop folder with the name of the sewing machine. That way I can find the folder and I can add to it with before and after pics.
I try very hard to take photos before during and after so I can document my work. That means the back ground suffers but I want functional photos that show the guts.

liking quilting

Lighting is probably the most important factor. Before I joined this site and was just a "lurker" I remember being blown away by a photo of a vintage machine that someone had taken outside. I don't remember who posted it and didn't know one machine from another at that time, but I remember it was the shine of the machine that really caught my eye. I agree that with digital photography I, too, have become lazy about snapping away. Would have been much more careful if I still paid for the film and development of photos. Personally, if someone on a selling site didn't know to take enough photos, they lose me. I want to see the bobbin and bobbin case, front (not just back) sides of the machine, condition of cord(s) and foot pedal, etc.

HelenAnn

I agree LQ, I am amazed when some people are selling a machine and post only the back or the cabinet. The photo will also be blurry.

JaniceP

I have a very nice camera but mainly take nature and landscape photos. The lighting in my house is terrible so I just use my IPad. I'm not looking for great photos just some good enough to document the before and after cleaning and to help with reassembly.

pjnesler

Yes - a tripod sure helps for me, I've always admired the outdoor shots I've seen here and on other sites, the natural daylight really seems to improve the color (and shine) or whatever the object.

KenmoreRulesAll

Thanks for the compliment but I know next to nothing about photography. Like you, I take about 5-10 shots and select the best. If there are any decent shots among the many I've taken, it's all due to the cameras. I'm amazed at how the slightest few specks of dust will show up on a machine's finish like a skin disease and I haven't quite grasped the idea of contrast and 'pop' (dark backgrounds for light machines, vice-versa for dark machines).

tessagin

I do better with my digital camera. Photos are much better. Easier to browse and upload from my camera versus my phone. I try to have a plain background and contrasting color even a big cardboard box will do. Took photo one time with a window open. Didn't want the sun to shine and blind the shot. So I stood infront of the window and all I got was my big fat shadow butt totally wiping out the subject. LOL. Now I have learned to watch my angles.