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The blog banner was made with elements from Lorie Davison. The nail head is Mo Jackson, the white rabbit and the key is Tangie Baxter. The butterflies are from Katie Pertiet.

Monday, January 10, 2011

I'm Ready For My Closeup

Listing stuff on Etsy.

1. Make stuff.
2. Strategically arrange stuff to be photographed.
3. Wait for the sun to come out.  This could take until July in Chicago.
4. Realize that shadows are too long, 
too short, not bright enough or too bright...
5. Give up and do something else for a few hours. Or Weeks.
6. Take a zillion photos of stuff.  Or at least 42.
7. Edit photos.
8. Post on Etsy.
9. Realize that the closeup photos of a 1 inch object on a 20 inch screen show ALL the detail.
10.  Realize that people with anything larger than an iPhone screen 
are going to see actual pictures of dust mites.  
This is not a selling feature.
10.  By ALL the detail I mean the minute, teeny tiny specks of dust, 
solder and imperfections that you did NOT see!
11.  Decide that closeups of anything are from Satan.
This charm looks pretty good.
The specks of dust on the black velvet?
I meant for them to be there.
It looks like sparkles!
This is the flip-side.
I borrowed (with her permission) this quote from
You can't see the word I.
It's there.
For this reason, it's not a good photo, though.
This one came out much better.
Extreme closeup.
Still, not too bad.
Long shadows are a tad annoying.
This one is pretty good!
Wine glasses.
Used for so much more than drinking.
Unless you've finished a 1 1/2 hour photo session
and gotten 3 pictures to show for it.
Pinot Grigio.
It's not just for breakfast, anymore.

Not so bad, huh?
But, wait.

This is what I mean.
Looks great in person.
Up close?
I lost the entire left hand side.
There's lint and bits of cotton
 from the
cleaning cloth, and a speck of solder I missed.
Etsy?
It's an adventure!
I'll leave you with these film noir pieces.

A happy accident!

10 comments:

Terri Kahrs said...

I'm 'lovin the "happy accidents"!!! I feel your pain about macro photos. It's like looking into a lighted magnifying mirror the first thing in the orning!!! LOL!!! Hugs, Terri xoxo

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oooooh, jewelry love here! Darling. All of them!

XO,

Sheila :-)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Kathy, can you email me??? Thanks!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Into Vintage said...

Have you tried using a light box? I also keep a can of air and tape handy to pick up the linty stuff. And why does black have to be so high maintenance? :-) Despite all the photo nuisances, your jewels are lovely and that little birdie is very *charming*.

Cameron said...

I feel your pain, lol! Super, goodlooking close-up taking is a lost art....well, Lost on Me, anyways...haha :)

Your pieces are as wonderful as ever, Kathy!

I'll have to try that light table suggestion above...heehee.

see mary stamp said...

Kathy - you crack me up. I think all of your products look lovely - photography snafus or not!

Susan said...

You are a better photographer than I am for sure....I can't even find the close up button on my camera! Love the jewelry Miss Kathy! Susan

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

Honestly, they do look like sparkles!! Use them!!

Dreaming Woods said...

so so true!!! i have found that it is most hard to take photos in winter time. and how many times i have had to take my listing out of Etsy, since the air dry clay pieces shows every detail.

Vintage Fairy Tales Rebecka said...

Love the one with the shoes,
I often wear red shoes!
It makes me happier some how...
XX
Becky