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.theeasellife.com
12 comments so far
WayneC
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5684 posts in 634 days
posted 398 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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1172 posts in 1009 days
posted 398 days ago
great looking photos, Blake.
-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Martin_Sojka/1357216976
Thos. Angle
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3421 posts in 499 days
posted 398 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, Owyhee Design, Oregon
Calgirl
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188 posts in 432 days
posted 398 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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4859 posts in 573 days
posted 398 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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268 posts in 451 days
posted 398 days ago
Nice idea! Thanks for the tip.
-- Steve, New Zealand, www.steveracz.com
kjwoodworking
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147 posts in 424 days
posted 398 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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2671 posts in 636 days
posted 398 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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325 posts in 414 days
posted 398 days ago
Thanks for the tip, I will use it.
-- Ron Central, CA
RAH
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325 posts in 414 days
posted 398 days ago
Thanks for the tip, I will use it.
-- Ron Central, CA
John Gray
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883 posts in 422 days
posted 397 days ago
Great idea thanks!
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
MsDebbieP
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12282 posts in 697 days
posted 397 days ago
well done.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)