Any tips on photographing quilts with crystals?
 

I make some small pieces to sell online, and I attached some flat back Swarovski crystals to a Christmas wallhanging. I have tries to take pics of it in several different light sources, but the crystals just do not show up....they look very pretty in real life! Any tips?

I'd look for blogs that mention photographing rhinestones. (I used to be in to rhinestone brooches and seem remember comments about photographing them.)

Most of the time, it's about the lighting and the direction of the lighting I think.

I found these links, but just scanned them. Maybe they will be helpful.

http://www.tabletopstudio.com/docume...hotography.htm

https://photo.stackexchange.com/ques...parkly-objects

https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/forums/thread3578.htm

bkay

Thank you, bkay. The articles are interesting...I will try again!

I would take pictures outside so the light can hit them ???? good luck

They are notoriously hard to capture in photos, unless you do extreme closeups. Even in show venues, where spotlights are directly on the quilts and have beautiful sparkle in person, that sparkle rarely shows up in photos unless you take extreme closeups as illustrated in this blog. And even then you are really seeing the crystal in the photo not the sparkle.
http://www.quiltingjewel.com/2011/04...-crystals.html

Quite honestly, if you do manage to capture the crystals in a photo it probably won't make the "but it, don't buy it" decision for a potential customer. They will buy based on the overall appearance of the wallhanging and I doubt the bling of the crystals will be the decision maker for your potential customer. But the closeup shots would be nice. Hopefully you can post multiple pics. If not, then I would opt for a photo that captures the whole quilt and talk about the crystals in your description.

We used to use a napkin over our flash so the glitz from the jewel wouldn't catch the flash. It also gives an overall lighting too.

You could use more than one light source to get a good picture. You need the light from a source near you, and to one side of you. That way you get more than one direction for the sparkle. A flashlight strategically place makes for a nice shine.

If you’re using a camera with interchangeable lens, consider purchasing a star filter to place over the lens. It will cause a “star effect” over the crystals and help them show up better.

A star filter, as suggested above by Robin, ...

OR 'cheat' by added a few star burst/sparkle/twinkle effects via photoshop.
Just a few - too much would look tacky, IMO. But a little just MIGHT get the look/attention you are seeking.

Good Luck!
Donna Mc

Natural daylight is best. 4PM is what the pros refer to as "the golden hour." Everything looks better. No harsh shadows.

Over a railing outside or inside as opposed to someone holding it. Otherwise...fingers and feet show. Sometimes it's cute to think of the quilt "walking" but generally it's not exactly the best look.

Draped over a big chair or sofa. The less background clutter, the better. If animals are in it, avoid shooting straight on at their eyes. Creepy results sometimes.