I recently invested about $40 bucks on a large sheet of black velvet from the fabric store for a photo background. I just wanted people to know that It is easy to take great display photos with a small investment.
Any black material would work well, including less expensive felt or cotton. Even a sheet would be fine. I splurged for the velvet because my wife decided she could use it for taking pictures of jewelry she makes as well.
Just lay the velvet over your couch and give it good direct lighting, such as from a halogen light. Natural sunlight, especially when the sun is low (morning/evening) also looks great on camera. I tripod really helps for getting consistent results and good focus. You can get a cheap tabletop tripod for $10 and put it on a TV tray.
So a black sheet, good lamp, and any digital camera and you can take photos to showcase your work like a pro.
-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com
13 comments so far
WayneC
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6028 posts in 994 days
posted 758 days ago
Very nice. Thanks for the tip.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
Martin Sojka
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1401 posts in 1369 days
posted 758 days ago
great looking photos, Blake.
-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://profile.to/msojka
Thos. Angle
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4013 posts in 859 days
posted 758 days ago
Yep, we have all that, just don’t get it out often enough. Good idea to explain it to others. By the way I use my studio lamps as additional light in the shop. they really work.
-- Thos. Angle
Calgirl
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188 posts in 792 days
posted 758 days ago
I have the black velvet….....just no project to put on it !
-- Forget the health food, I need all the preservatives I can get !
mot
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4903 posts in 933 days
posted 758 days ago
Nice! I got one of those light tents off of eBay but have just never used it. I might take it out. Thanks, Blake!
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
daltxguy
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565 posts in 810 days
posted 758 days ago
Nice idea! Thanks for the tip.
-- Steve, New Zealand, www.steveracz.com
kjwoodworking
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202 posts in 783 days
posted 757 days ago
I like how the light shines off the velvet. Ive used black cloth before but I think the velvet looks much better. It really shows off the beautiful boxes.
-- Kirk H. -- http://www.kjwoodworking.com
Todd A. Clippinger
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5648 posts in 996 days
posted 757 days ago
I agree with KJ, I like how the light reflects off the velvet. I don’t think cotton would look like that. It sure does make a nice presentation.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
RAH
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413 posts in 773 days
posted 757 days ago
Thanks for the tip, I will use it.
-- Ron Central, CA
RAH
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413 posts in 773 days
posted 757 days ago
Thanks for the tip, I will use it.
-- Ron Central, CA
John Gray
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1754 posts in 782 days
posted 757 days ago
Great idea thanks!
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
MsDebbieP
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14160 posts in 1057 days
posted 757 days ago
well done.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
a1Jim
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16926 posts in 473 days
posted 22 days ago
Most beautiful boxes great job.
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon