Photographing quilts
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
Posts: 9,475
I use my camera and have my grandchildren stand on the fire place and hold the quilts. If the quilt is too big I just lay it on my living room floor and I stand on a chair so I can get a good angle.
#14
I have a set of three clip hangers that I keep in my quilt room. I use these across the top of my quilt then take it outside to my little patio. I hang the quilt over the window of my slider window/door to the patio. I like the natural light and the flat surface makes a good "wall" for the quilt. Here is a photo where you can see my "method". I use both my phone camera feature and a regular camera. Both have different advantages. From time to time, such as in the winter, I will do the same process but hook the hangers over the trim of my double closet door. (Hook them on the trim.) I also have a set of concrete steps that make a good location for photos of smaller quilts. On occasion I will shoot photos with my quilts on a grassy hill, but that is always dicey because of dampness and possible soiling of the quilt.
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#15
We have a trailer with a back gate I use. I also try to take pictures in the early morning while the sun is softer.
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After sizing and trimming in Paint.
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After sizing and trimming in Paint.
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#16
I use a digital camera because I don't have a smart phone. I will either put the quilt down on my queen bed and stand on a step ladder and shoot from above. The other way I do it (if the quilt is small enough) is that I pin the quilt to a blank wall (hallway) and shoot it directly on. Decent photos - not professional grade, but then again neither are my quilts! LOL
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,857
Any photos are better in natural light. If you can put a large chair by a window and take a draped shot, that is your main shot. For detail, you can then lay it out on the floor and get a full shot. Then fold over a corner so you can get the back (if plain). If you have done extra work to the back or your quilting shows better, be sure and get a full back shot. For you last shot, go close for a block, a quilting pattern or something else that is special for the quilt. These 4 shots should be done for each quilt. When I load them into the file, I then include a notation with date, any special techniques or fabrics, approximately what the materials cost, how long it took (roughly) and if sold - how much, if gifted - to whom. This may seem like a bit of work, but it only takes a few minutes and I can guarantee you won't remember these details later.
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Texas currently
Posts: 1,222
Use hangers. The metal ones that you can twist the hook to hang over a curtain rod, and clothes pins to pin the quilt to the hanger. Use several to support the width. I got free hangers from Academy that are plastic but have the clips to hold pants, etc. and a swivel hanger hook.
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