Photos of your work

[FrankEV]

This subject is not about doing Scroll Saw work itself.  It is about taking photos of your work to post in this forum, especially in the Bragging Rights Forum.

I love looking at the work of others.  The photos can be as informative, if not even more so, than the write up about the piece.  However, when the photo is taken on a busy cluttered background, too dark, skewed, or shown in an unfinished condition, I just want to scream.  

Please do not think I’m on a rant here, but would just like to offer some suggestions for consideration:

1.        You can easily and cheaply purchase a large plain white poster board to use as a background or a roll of white backdrop paper. 

a.       Most of our projects will fit within the size of a large inexpensive poster board.

b.      If possible hang the poster board so the wall hanging projects can be hung vertically, without any tilt or skew.

c.       Before posting, crop the photo to eliminate any excess area included in the original photo.

d.      White roll backdrop paper can be found in places like Hobby Lobby or Michaels and is used to  shoot photos of projects that sit on a surface by draping the paper over a combination of a vertical and horizontal surface (like a chair).

2.       Try to shoot the photo with indirect natural daylight if possible.

a.       Don’t use a flash as you will get to much bounce back.

b.      Don’t use a household incandescent light source as this will change the color of the wood in the panel.

c.       You can use the ISO setting to shoot the photo in low light situations.   

3.       Most of us will use the camera on our smart phones, but if you have a digital camera and tripod the quality can be much improved.

a.       Taking the photo with a smart phone is OK, but it is very difficult to frame the image and keep the camera lens square with the project panel in order to prevent skewing the panel in the photo.

b.      Taking the photo with a digital camera mounted on a tripod will make framing the image and keeping the lens square with the panel much easier.

4.       I would much prefer to see finished projects, rather than just a cut panel,  in the Bragging Rights Forum.

a.       A cut panel without a proper backer is not really much to see or admire unless the piece is intended to be open.  However, this is most often with thicker wood, not ¼” or less ply.

b.      Again, even without a frame, if the project will be framed, it is not much to look at.

c.       There are other forums to show work in progress rather that in Bragging Rights.

[kmmcrafts]

I made a light box from a old cardboard box by cutting the sides of the box out with just a frame / window on the two sides.. then taped white tissue paper over the cutouts.. use a white vinyl  ( vinyl you can wipe down if the white gets some smudges or dirt on it ) poster board in the back of the box as a back drop and have two LED light pods on each side shining through the tissue paper on the sides.. This is a real expensive set up so I'm doubting anyone will take this route.. 

That all said, I do this because I need to take great photos as I'm a online seller and eye catching photos are a must if you want to catch peoples attention when they are scrolling through Amazon or a website.. and the white is required by Amazon soooo I don't do any kind of fancy props o anything.. Just photo the piece I'm selling, LOL

If I was a hobbyist just trying to show off a piece I made.. It's doubtful I'd do all that work just to show a few scroll saw friends my piece.. while I do realize that a great photo makes a piece pop rather than a poor cluttered photo.. I'm just not one that'd go through hoops just to show a piece to my online friends.. However I do try my best to take a decent photo.. I'm just sayin it's doubtful I would go out of my way to get a backdrop and all that for a few photos here and there.. even though I do agree with what you've said 100%... especially after being a online seller for the past 20 years, LOL..  But if you're posting photos a lot, such as on a selling site.. A dedicated photo spot is a must have.. I used to set up a spot and then take it down after.. That's such a pain to do just for a few photos here and there.. Not everyone has the space for a dedicated spot.. which is why I'm saying.. I wouldn't be going through the hassles just to show off to a few friends.. doesn't mean I wouldn't try to have uncluttered background or good lighting.. but I sure wouldn't be setting up a spot for a couple pictures here and there.. 

I rarely post in the bragging section.. I probably make a few new things every week.. I guess I feel like people can just go to my website to see what I've been up to, LOL  I probably should post more often in the bragging section.. But then running 4 websites.. posting photos every week on the sites.. I get a little burnout from photo posting of my work.. Now I like to post them if I built a new bench or something.. showing a tool I just bought but.. finished work pieces are on my website.. LOL

Edited September 28, 2020 by kmmcrafts

[amazingkevin]

 I'm guilty of that. I'm a hoarder and I'll give you a million dollars if you can find a place to set a glass of water in here. Well I spent 5 minutes and made a light box from spray glue and paper towels and I must say the difference is night and day thanks this is the second time someone has mentioned it indirectly.

 

 

 

Edited September 29, 2020 by amazingkevin
Spelling

[Rockytime]

First, I don't post photos directly from my cell phone. I email them to my computer and edit them with a photo editor. Knock out the background, adjust lighting intensity etc. I don't have room for a tripod or a blank wall to hang cuttings on. However, if you do by all means use them. Those are all good suggestions from Frank.

[ike]

I use my smart phone so I can show them when I am out, but for my facebook page I use my camra and edit them to get the best photo..

IKE

[teachnlearn]

I generally shoot a picture of my work, with a sexy woman draped over it. No one seems to complain about the photo. RJF

Edited September 29, 2020 by teachnlearn

[Foxfold]

Ooh, I usually take mine on the kitchen table or out in the back garden. I didn't think I had to be 'professional' to post on this forum. I don't 'sell' my stuff on here I  'show family'  what I've done . I put stuff in the 'Bragging Rights as it says ''Show off your latest works, achievements, and all things that make you proud'' . Mmm, food for thought and I'll watch this conversation carefully and perhaps just stick to my own Facebook page.

Edited September 29, 2020 by Foxfold

[FrankEV]

12 minutes ago, Foxfold said:

...I didn't think I had to be 'professional' to post on this forum....

This is what I did not want anyone to think when I offered these suggestions.  As I said, MOST will not have a digital camera, tripod or photo light sourse.  However, with a few simple considerations many can do some things to make a posted photo much better.    

[amazingkevin]

57 minutes ago, Foxfold said:

Ooh, I usually take mine on the kitchen table or out in the back garden. I didn't think I had to be 'professional' to post on this forum. I don't 'sell' my stuff on here I  'show family'  what I've done . I put stuff in the 'Bragging Rights as it says ''Show off your latest works, achievements, and all things that make you proud'' . Mmm, food for thought and I'll watch this conversation carefully and perhaps just stick to my own Facebook page.

 There,s always Going to be internet police. I ignore it for a while.!!!

[amazingkevin]

9 hours ago, Rockytime said:

First, I don't post photos directly from my cell phone. I email them to my computer and edit them with a photo editor. Knock out the background, adjust lighting intensity etc. I don't have room for a tripod or a blank wall to hang cuttings on. However, if you do by all means use them. Those are all good suggestions from Frank.

Lol, I don,t know how to use photo editor, but would love me too.thanks Rockytime !!!

[trackman]

Not to long ago Frank made a comment about a picture I posted. Now I will tell the truth it did upset me at the time. BUT after thinking about it he was 100% RIGHT. My photo was CRAP.  People we won’t improve if everyone tells us we are great!  I for one appreciate a person like Frank who gives constructive comments. My 2 cents worth lol

[OzarkSawdust]

10 hours ago, teachnlearn said:

I general shoot a picture of my work with a sexy woman draped over it. No one seems to complain about the photo. RJF

Send her over...I need to take a few pictures...LOL  

[Foxfold]

3 hours ago, FrankEV said:

This is what I did not want anyone to think when I offered these suggestions.  As I said, MOST will not have a digital camera, tripod or photo light sourse.  However, with a few simple considerations many can do some things to make a posted photo much better.    

Firstly, I must apologise, I'd had a bad morning and was a little tetchy. So my answer to your post was quite unwarranted. Sorry.

All I saw was, 'you lot could do better'  and guess what ? I'll tell you how.

I will from now on heed my own advice and if I don't like/agree with a post, I'll just scroll on by. 

[teachnlearn]

5 hours ago, OzarkSawdust said:

Send her over...I need to take a few pictures...LOL  

I would send her over, but my wife would object. RJF

[wombatie]

I'm sorry but I will take photos where and when I want to, if you don't like it, don't look. 

Marg

[rjweb]

I agree Marg, RJ 

[dgman]

When I take photos for my Etsy site, I use a a light box. I have several different colored back drops. I also have a very nice Canon digital camera with a tripod. Then I would have to download the photos to my iPad, then edit them. I found out that my IPhone takes just as good pictures as my expense camera. So, anymore, I just use my phone to take photos. They automatically upload from my phone to my iPad. If they need editing, I use the IOS photo editor. If I’m taking pictures of equipment, tools or jigs to show on the forum, I just use the phone, just the shop lites and post it. 
Please continue to show your work. I do appreciate great photography, but it’s not necessary to post here. Most here are hobbyists and don’t do this to make money. Do the best you can. We won’t judge you by the quality of your photography skills!

Edited October 1, 2020 by dgman

[kmmcrafts]

7 hours ago, dgman said:

When I take photos for my Etsy site, I use a a light box. I have several different colored back drops. I also have a very nice Canon digital camera with a tripod. Then I would have to download the photos to my iPad, then edit them. I found out that my IPhone takes just as good pictures as my expense camera. So, anymore, I just use my phone to take photos. They automatically upload from my phone to my iPad. If they need editing, I use the IOS photo editor. If I’m taking pictures of equipment, tools or jigs to show on the forum, I just use the phone, just the shop lites and post it. 
Please continue to show your work. I do appreciate great photography, but it’s not necessary to post here. Most here are hobbyists and don’t do this to make money. Do the best you can. We won’t judge you by the quality of your photography skills!

Cell phone cameras have come a real long way over the years.. I too have a expensive Canon camera.. But my etsy photos are taken with a cheap Sony Cyber-Shot digital camera that is at least 15 years old, LOL. and yes.. with tripod and my homemade cardboard box lightbox I made... My cell phone actually does better than the Sony.. but I use my computer to do listings and I've never mastered the art of getting the photos off my iphone to my computer.. One day I'm going to get a IPad... Lot of people run their etsy shops solely from their cell phone... I'm not a master of using a cell phone for much of anything.. LOL  

[ben2008]

Excellent post.

Although I am strickly an amateur when it comes to photography I take all my pics with my little Canon digital camera and natural light and crop out what isn't needed. I try to never have anything in the background unless it's for a reference point. Since I do mostly Intarsia now, I try and let the various woods, color, and grain be the focal point.

Ben

[Fedido]

I have been guilty of taking bad photos, in fact, I recently found out how to take a photo with my phone and post here without the photo turning side-wades. I know I have a lot to learn still.  

[FrankEV]

4 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

... I've never mastered the art of getting the photos off my iphone to my computer.. .

This is the way I do it from my android phione, very simple. 

Assuming you do have a PC USB to Phone cord, with both the PC and Phone turned on and the cord connected to both just bring up two separate File Explorer windows.  In one, open your file where you want your photos to reside.  In the other find your phone listed in the left hand column...usually under "This PC" and click on it.  Your phone may or may not have an SD card, if it does click on"Card" , if not Click on "Phone".  A list of folders will apear, clic on" DCIM". Another list of folders will apear click on "Camera".  A listing of the Photos that you have taken will apear listed as .jpg's.  I sort by date so you can fingd the latest you just shot. 

At this point you can just drag and drop (Copy or Move) the photos from your Phone to the folder in the other Explorer window on your computer.  

However, here (on the phone) if you click on your photo, it will open in "Photos" editor where you can crop, rotate, etc.  After croping I "Save a Copy", renaming it and saving it in the photos folder on your PC.

I know there are other ways this can be done, but this works for me.  Not sure if all is the same if you are using an IPhone, but the procedure shoud be similar.  Someone else may be able to verify that.

[kmmcrafts]

2 minutes ago, FrankEV said:

This is the way I do it from my android phione, very simple. 

Assuming you do have a PC USB to Phone cord, with both the PC and Phone turned on and the cord connected to both just bring up two separate File Explorer windows.  In one, open your file where you want your photos to reside.  In the other find your phone listed in the left hand column...usually under "This PC" and click on it.  Your phone may or may not have an SD card, if it does click on"Card" , if not Click on "Phone".  A list of folders will apear, clic on" DCIM". Another list of folders will apear click on "Camera".  A listing of the Photos that you have taken will apear listed as .jpg's.  I sort by date so you can fingd the latest you just shot. 

At this point you can just drag and drop (Copy or Move) the photos from your Phone to the folder in the other Explorer window on your computer.  

However, here (on the phone) if you click on your photo, it will open in "Photos" editor where you can crop, rotate, etc.  After croping I "Save a Copy", renaming it and saving it in the photos folder on your PC.

I know there are other ways this can be done, but this works for me.  Not sure if all is the same if you are using an IPhone, but the procedure shoud be similar.  Someone else may be able to verify that.

Allot more too it than that on an Iphone.. You see.. apple just wants you to buy storage and have access to your photos from any device from the storage the sell you.. they don't want you just plugging to the computer and download.. they sell storage on a site and make it difficult to get the photos on the computer.. I've don't it.. just not easily done.. 

[ben2008]

44 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

Allot more too it than that on an Iphone.. You see.. apple just wants you to buy storage and have access to your photos from any device from the storage the sell you.. they don't want you just plugging to the computer and download.. they sell storage on a site and make it difficult to get the photos on the computer.. I've don't it.. just not easily done.. 

That's why I use my little Canon digital camera on my Windows 7 computer with  Photo Gallery. Older technology, but really simple to use and I store my photos right on my computer or on a stick..

Edited October 1, 2020 by ben2008

[trackman]

I have a I Phone. Go to cloud find picture you want. Download to were you want it to go. Once in PC can edit as needed. 

[ben2008]

36 minutes ago, ben2008 said:

That's why I use my little Canon digital camera on my Windows 7 computer with  Photo Gallery. Older technology, but really simple to use and I store my photos right on my computer or on a stick..

I guess i'm missing something. What's so funny Frank?