Taking pictures of my needlepoint is not my best thing. I’m best at slapping the piece on the scanner. But I know the ability to take a good picture is important.
So for all you folks who are like me and for myself, I’ve rounded up some on-line tutorials about how to take great pictures.
This one, from the craft blog Mint, has great tips from a woman who owns an Etsy store selling stationery. What does this have to do with photographing needlepoint? She’s got a professional background in design and her tips will help you think about your photography in a new way.
Jennifer Ashley Taylor (you’ve seen her work in Needlepoint Now and she’s teaches widely) teaches a number of cyberclasses on photographing, scanning, and printing pictures of your needlework. The classes are short and begin twice a month. With these you’ll be looking professional in no time.
Cameo Rose has an excellent article in her stitching studio about photographing needlework While the tone is informal and the information a bit dated, there’s lots of good stuff here. Marthabeth has an article about photographing needlework models, and her advice and tips work great for all types of needlework photography.
eHow has a little step-by-step tutorial on photographing needlework. It doesn’t go into great detail but it covers the basics and gives you a nice outline of the process. Suite 101, another how to site has tutorials on photographing needlework and on tips for photographing cross stitch.
This tutorial looks at digital photography and uses a not great snapshot as an example to show you what can be improved. I like it because we are so likely to get mediocre results, and it’s so helpful to be told exactly where we can improve.
Finally if you are submitting pictures of your work for exhibition, this PDF of EGA’s guidelines is a really helpful checklist.
A light box is often helpful to give you a uniform background and fixed source of light. Instructibles has a step-by-step on making a light box for under $40.
By learning and doing, your needlework photography will improve greatly, especially if you use my “slap and scan” method.
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Janet, you bring us so much fun, inspiration and education. Please try to let this person’s comments go.
Do take care…