Experimenting with props, opinions pls

[Dizzydiza]

Hi, as you may know, not only do I make my own tiaras and jewellery, I also photograph my own work and make my own website using a WYSIWYG programme. For a long time now I have not been happy with my photographs as I feel they don't do my work justice nor do the look good on the website. So I manage to get hold of a few slate/stones and I thought I would try photographing my latest order on them. I am looking for advice and for comments on what you all think looks the best. Please feel free to leave the comments here or on the actual photograph. The pictures are in my album which can be viewed here
http://www.craftsforum.co.uk/album.php?albumid=1770
Diana

[Curious Cat]

I like 5 and 7 the most. I definately like the way the slate gives you more contrast. Adds a little something extra :)

cj

[Dizzydiza]

Ty for that cj :)

Any more opinions pls ?

[nettie]

I've got some slate and pebbles waiting outside that I plan on using too and I hope mine come out as lovely as yours. I really like 1 and 3 :)

[Dizzydiza]

Ty nettie I will say what my preference is when I have managed to get some more opinions :)

[nattynetty]

I liked 5,6 and 7 - I like the slate the most but the reflection bits on the material (I think) did make me stop a look more closely too.

Not keen on 4 and 8, think they definitely look better on the layered slates.

[Bea]

Sorry, I'm going to put a spanner in the works... :-( I think your original photos were nicer. The slate distracts too much from the crystals. I briefly looked on google, typed in tiaras and hit 'images', most tiaras are photographed against black velvet or black tiles...

[Aviya Glass]

It's a nice change from what everyone else does. Who wants to be samey? As I looked through them I thought (something I probably shouldn't do) it would look good if the slate was 'wearing' the tiara until I saw 4 and then not so much.
I really like 5 though and think perhaps the quirky angle is what works nicely. Just a thought (there I go again) perhaps a warmer colour stone would be good, like a honey colour? I think your pics make the crystals look lovely though! HTH xx

[MornieG Jewellery]

Sorry but I agree with Bea and think the stones detract from the beautiful tiaras and look much better on white or black plain grounds. Mo.XX

[mizgeorge]

I'm afraid I'm with the no-stones group. I think very simple pieces look nice with props, but with the crystals, a plain background seems to work better, especially if you're using colour.

[alibear]

I think the background needs to be darker to give more contrast as they seem lost on the white and grey backgrounds. I can imagine they are very difficult to photograph. If you want props have you thought about some dark (black?) satin with a few very small silk flowers scattered? The dark background would really enhance your work I think. Definately worth a try.

[Dizzydiza]

Thank you guys for all your comments.

I love really good photographs and I love the work of photographers who can capture a scene or image and make it look as good as it should be. I am always disheartened by my photographs as I feel they never look as good as the finished article. I thought I would try the slates as I feel my photographs always look really flat. I think my favourite picture is no3 but I do like the one on the cream cloth as it seems to reflect the colours of the crystals. I am one of these people that takes forever to make a decision and now I am no further forward :(
My customers have often told me that they like how easy my website is to navigate but the photographs dont do my work justice. Maybe I should enroll in a photography class!

[MornieG Jewellery]

Maybe do as bea did and have a look at other peoples sites and see what you think works the best as a general rule then work out your own version. Mo.XX

[bodrighy]

Another no stones I'm afraid. Though I do like the general idea of having a contrast between the tiaras and the natural background the colours are a bit too close and detract from the jewelry IMHO. I can imagine them on adark natural wood or perhaps a much darker stone but the slate is just too similar.

Pete

[Dizzydiza]

I have found a wee tutorial thingy on the internet...of course they are trying to sell their products but I have been having a wee read of it. I have the wee studio box thingy but its the different kinds of lighting that I dont have. Also natural daylight is not an option ....remember I live in Scotland....lol. Plus its usually at night when I have spare time (during the day I have mum to care for)
I have also recently discovered more photographing options to my digital camera. I made need to experiment with it using my usual background to see if the photographs are any better. Unfortunately I dont have that tiara to experiment with....another happy bride who is getting married in 2 weeks :)
I have seen other websites use stones to display their jewellery on that's why I thought I would try the tiaras. I still like No3 the best but I also can see why you think the tiara looks washed out. I may try using them with coloured jewellery instead.
Thanks for all your comments
Diana x
Oops forgot to add the link to the tutorial lol
http://www.mkdigitaldirect.com/tips/jewelry_photography_tips.html

[Curious Cat]

Thanks for the link. I've always struggled with taking photo's. I've just got a light tent (after trialing a DIY light box, which was rubbish lol) Finally the photo's have come out alot better. As for lighting I've ended up with one of those DIY mini floodlight things from argos. Keep at it, it's taken me months of frustration! What I would say is that your photo's are nice and clear (something mine weren't) so thats a great starting point. I've been experimenting with different coloured cloth to do mine on.

Off to check out the tutorial!

cj :)

[pepperpot]

Sorry - I'm with the no stones too! Weddings are all about romance, so i'm thinking of all the words associated with that and hard grey stones don't reflect that image.

I' think the most important thing from a customers perspective, especially when choosing a product from a photograph, is that the product stands out and the attributes of that product are clearly communicated through the image. Have a look at the top designers/jewellery collections and you'll find most of them are simple photographs against a plain background. This looks the most professional.

It may be that changing the angle at which you take the photograph and the lighting will make all the difference.

Good luck! Sally.

[nattynetty]

I think what I particularly liked about the images I mentioned was the jaunty angle the tiara's were sat at, still liked the slates but can totally see where others are coming from. So how about getting some black velvet covered blocks so the tiara can sit at an angle and maybe put a small collection of scattered crystals (or something more natural and wedding related such as rose petals) to the side all artistic-like :)

[Dizzydiza]

Thank you again for the comments. Lovely idea Netty, I tried to take a photo once on a velvet back ground but my camera picked up the dust on it. See here http://www.dizatiaras.co.uk/wirepages/WN01.html My bro in law has the latest paint shop programme and he managed to get rid of the dust on it today. Sorry I dont have the new image on my computer yet to show the difference. So I may need to work in conjunction with him.ie I take the photos and he touches them up ;)

[Nellie Dean]

I'm guessing that the flash picked up on the dust? You really need to take photos in daylight, maybe you could do some shots at the weekends? Has your camera got a macro option? Usually a little flower symbol. Use that setting for close up work and try not to use flash. I have a digital SLR camera and can set the aperature, shutter speed, etc so I can experiment a bit more.

I'm not claiming to be an expert though, have just completed an evening class in photography! Good luck with your photos.

[Dizzydiza]

Yes Nellie you are right that picture was taken with the flash on thats why it pick up the dust. Some of the photos taken in the link in my OP were taken with the Macro setting. I only recently discovered it on my camera lol

There was a photo class last year that I could have attended but the I couldnt get to it because of my responsibilities as a carer. So once again I am having to self teach myself with either picking peoples brains or reading when I can get a chance on the internet.

[tiara sara]

Hello Diana

I like No 3 as well,the tiara is beautifully.
How did you get your tiara to sparkle, i having the same problem, trying to get the best photo of the item, i have tried different backgrounds, sometimes you hit lucky !!!

Do you use other lights at the side or is it just natural light?
I will be reading up on all tips given

Lovely work

[Dizzydiza]

Thank you Sara. I think mainly luck gets it to sparkle so much, possibly the flash on my camera and the crystals are AB so its very sparkly ;)

[matty56]

i did mine on white satin... do you use a light box?? i made mine from a cardboard box and tissue paper, then all you need is some daylight bulbs and a couple of anglepoise lamps. these were tips i fot from a proffesional photographer... when i reach 25 posts i will be trying to upload some of my pics.... good luck.p.s. your pics are lovely..

[bellatron]

Hi there, I prefer the layered slate look. I think it does slightly distract the eye from the detailing of the piece, however I like the originality. I'm thinking perhaps a darker grey slate would bring out the crystals more and stop the eye from being too distracted.

I think that a simpler black or white backdrop may look better for the detailed pieces.

Not sure what other jewellery you make but I like the idea of more simple jewellery being photographed outdoors for example a pendant hanging from a tree branch or carefully placed on a rock etc. Just my thoughts :)

[Christa]

I'm in the No stones camp here too I'm afraid... It might work better if they were darker slate but as it is now I feel the stones distract attention away from the tiaras when the focus should be on them

[TinaC]

I too think the slate detracts from the beauty of the tiaras. Have you tried some lovely rippled satin as a background? A lovely midnight blue would look great. Your tiara's look beautiful and I think would look very classy against a satin background with perhaps a spray of flowers in the corner?

[Bogwell4018]

I liked 3,5 and 7 the best, if you want to use the slate or stones. This would distinguish your work.

However, most tiaras are done on a darker background, and fabric always shows up fluff.
You could use black shiny card or black perspex.

[Dizzydiza]

I see this thread was resurrected from last October ;) thank you for your replies people! Needless to say those stones are hiding in a corner of my living room and I have gone back to using my cream coloured satin material. I have a light box but not a decent light. The one I have causes shadows so I tend to wait for natural daylight and use the macro setting on my digital :)

[flb89]

personally i prefer plain backgrounds you could try getting a light tent?