Only 113 days until Christmas, now a know some of you will be saying ages yet but I know from previous years that the time just flies. Not so much Christmas in July but more like August and September for me this year but the plan is to have all the 'C' collection done by beginning of October at the latest, also looking at stocking fillers not to mention the stockings. These are all a tease atm as have so many other projects in the pipeline.
Makes this week:
School Bags
Won this fabric on ebay and all made up and added to my stock up to 19 now only another 41 to go.....
Out of the offcuts a male wash bag with penny farthing, fishing rod and hat
Photo tent or lifestyle shots? This is an odd one as always did lifestyle shots, you know the sort of thing with props and background. Then everyone went oh no more professional to do photo tent shots. Had an approach the other week and they want lifestyle shots, so which do you use? I am going back to lifestyle as tbh prefer to see an item in a situation as adds depth rather than a plain white background. Jewellery I think looks good on plain black or white but did see on a US site a beautiful pair of earrings picture taken with them place in the centre of a large silk flower, looked so pretty. At the end of the day I suppose more down to individual taste but you now have to dress houses to sell so what is the difference with a website.
Have done more crafting than the items shown above, a tote bag and 2 cards but as for Birthdays later and not yet opened cannot publish but they will be coming.
I like the lifestyle shots myself although am not creative enough to do them myself. I need a lot of work on my photography. Love the penny farthing on the wash bag.
ReplyDeleteI find it very tricky deciding the right sort of back ground with the best lighting. Usually I end up doing it on a plain background simply to get optimum lighting, always a dilemma!
ReplyDeleteI think I would agree lifestyle, although it is probably a bit more bother.
ReplyDeleteLove the detailing on the wash bag.
ReplyDeleteWith the photographs, I would say go with what you're best at. I'm awful at lifestyle shots but do ok with a plain background, so that's what I try to do for my photos.
Great stripey fabric - sort of has a clean look to me.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying out photos with white backgrounds too but am coming to the conclusion that I prefer the lifestyle shots too - much more my style, and sticking to your own style is important I think :)
It's a difficult decison as some things look really smart on a plain white background, relay sets them off. However, a lifestyle setting also enhances other items and gives potential customers an idea of what/where to use them. I like the stripyey material, and the penny farthing looks great. Hope you have a good week.
ReplyDeleteThe penny farthing is great, and I like the stripe fabric too. I think there's a lot to be said for both types of product photo - lifestyle shots work better for some things and white backgrounds for others. And magazines can ask for either, depending on what they're doing with the image.
ReplyDeleteI think photos depend on the item personally, and also the target market. With your pieces lifestyle shots work quite well to tell the story of what they are for, and style wise your work just suits that I think.
ReplyDeletethat little wash bag is so cute! i love the hat :) looks like you're making good progress with the school bags too, well done!
ReplyDeleteto answer your question about product photography i have come to the conclusion that a happy medium is best - i.e. a bit of both. I think that for situations where your product images are going to be featured alongside others (such as a magazine feature or Etsy treasury) then a plain white-ish background is best to help the different images blend together, but for 'other views' or for situations (such as on your own website) where you have more freedom i think its nice to offer lifestyle shots as done well i think they are definitely more engaging and inspirational... hope this helps! x
I really like the fabric on that bag. Simple yet eye catching.
ReplyDeleteI still can't decide on photo styles. This is partly because the natural light in both house and garden is pretty bad due to shade, and light boxes can make things look artifical. I will find my niche soon no doubt. In the mean time I like you lifestyle shots.
Ooh what a lovely fabric! I wish I had time to make the kid's school bags, that's a really great job.
ReplyDeleteArrgghhh the countdown to Christmas already? :)
Lovely fabric, so fresh. I like lifestyle shots, but as others have mentioned, sometimes a plain background works better for things. I think you just have to go with what suits your work best. xx
ReplyDeleteEveryone is talking about Christmas *puts fingers in ears and shouts LALALALALA* but you are right, now is the time of year to be thinking about it! I too think a mix of photographic styles is good. I try to take simple product photos against a white background and then a photo of the item in a lifestyle setting to show how it could be used. x
ReplyDeleteLove the penny farthing....Photography is the bane of my life at the moment....so many different schools of thought... xx
ReplyDeleteI love the penny farthing. I think I prefer your lifestyle photos to be honest....shows the item in a more realistic light. x
ReplyDeleteGreat fabric for wash bags, very 'clean' looking :)
ReplyDeleteI love your lifestyle photo's, it suits your items. Lifestyle photo's often give items a guide to size and use.
Jan x
You have been busy and getting so organised . I love the green fabric .
ReplyDeleteI love that school bag fabric and the penny farthing is very clever. I'm not sure i'm quite ready to be reminded about Xmas yet, but i do love the countdown calendar!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a lotta bags! As you say it's down to individual taste. Sometimes when you lifestyle an item it does give ideas so that might help somebody, especially if they are looking for a gift.
ReplyDeleteI just struggle with get a decent shot let alone deciding whether it should a lifestyle or tent shot! And I love the bags, cute fabric. xx
ReplyDeleteI love the hat on the handlebars - I figure your pieces would look good in or out that tent - Like Deborah I'm still working on that decent shot thing. Cx
ReplyDeleteI struggle with pics too and am never sure how to even start - would be great to see some posts about how to stage lifestyle shots :-). The bags are lovely, especially the pennyfarthing one
ReplyDeleteThe penny farthing looks wonderful. The fabric looks lovely and fresh. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAli x
I always used to take photo's of my cards using scrapbook paper, but then someone told me it's better to take pictures against a white background for Etsy. This works well with colourful backgrounds but not with blues and white.
ReplyDeleteI really like the masculine wash bag, the green looks great.
Hi Caroline:) How is the weather over your side of the pond! I am so excited fall is coming soon. Its been a hot long summer. I love the bags. The green stripes is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteI have always been partial to lifestyle type photos. I think people who sell merchandise, but its not handmade go for the tent style. But to me handmade looks better in a setting:)
Have a great day!!! (()) Gail
I'm trying not to think of Christmas though I know I probably should be making some plans.
ReplyDeleteI love the bike detail and on the bag, I rarely see "male" craft items.
Photos are a hard thing to get right aren't they? I never know what to do!
I love that fabric and the penny farthing's an inspired touch!
ReplyDelete