Any tips on improving?

[Former_Member]

I'm new to etsy and love photography (although I'm not very good). Any suggestions on how to make my product photos more inviting? Some listings I receive tons of views and others only 1 or 2 a week.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SophieAndAva?ref=si_shop


Also I do a lot of work with Swarovski crystals and can't seem to get any of the sparkle in my photos. Any tips on how I can do this?
http://www.etsy.com/listing/70033222/glam-up-your-stuff-with-swarovski

Any feedback is welcomed.
Thanks!

[Former_Member]

I think your photo's are great !

I've never photographed those crystals, but I guess a star filter would certainly make them sparkle, but may be too much.

I sometimes use a plug in for Photoshop that creates a star effect, so I'll post a modified picture to you via Convo to let you see how these work.

Rob.

[Former_Member]

Thanks so much! It definitely gets the sparkle point across!

[Former_Member]

hi sophie,

side lighting or backlighting from a close distance helps a lot.

i touched on some jewelry photography in this post. there's another one i'll try to find. don't know where that one is at:

http://www.etsy.com/teams/7435/diy-product-photography-how-to-hacks/discuss/6785437/

[Former_Member]

Thanks! I'll try that first thing tomorrow!!!

[STLvintage]

Hi, I use a point and shoot camera that is 12megapixels. I would appreciate any help or tips on how to improve my pics. I need help with taking pictures of jewelry that is mostly rhinestones.
Thanks so much!

[Former_Member]

hi stlvintage,

check out the link: http://www.etsy.com/teams/7435/diy-product-photography-how-to-hacks/discuss/6785437/

side lighting or back lighting with a closely placed light source with diffusion or tissue over it will give the rhinetones more pop.

[STLvintage]

Some good tips! Thanks so much.

[Former_Member]

you're welcome. :)

[Former_Member]

Rob - DigitalArtWorks - I have three cross-hatch filters for my SLR and they can be purchased with minimum or maximum cross-hatches for 'starburt' effects. The best way to purchase them is to buy the filter with the least amount of cross-hatch, that way, if you want more sparkle, just screw on another filter. Depending on the angle on how the camera is held, you can control the 'flair' of the starburst. If trying this, I would definitely use a tripod for control.

SophieAndAva, I used to photograph equestrian horse competitions where there was tons of Swarovski crystals and the riders wanted to sparkle for the judges, therefore, I used three cross-hatch filters on top of each other but I would recommend that you use a single , too much sparkle in a picture is distracting. Also, the neat thing about a cross-hatch is that with sparkles, you can see how the light prisms through the crystal giving a natural look over a photoshop enhanced sparkle.

(Here I am giving photo advice and my pictures look like crap! - that's why I wanted to join this team to learn to take better pictures with a point - n - shoot camera, I have two SLRs and a darkroom, so I'm old school)

[Former_Member]

You're selling $700 shoes, the same as a pair of Louboutin or Blahniks.

Understand that you're not selling potholders. You're selling luxury items. So present your product in a way that would appeal to a luxury buyer.

1. Get them off the grass.
2. Don't just use profile photos. It's static and boring. Instead use a 1/4 front profile.

[Former_Member]

the lighting is quite nice. i like how it sets off the sparklies. you could also look at presenting them at different angles.

price point really shouldn't be a big factor. i could definitely see your work marketed for weddings or glam. maybe consider some editorial shots in addition to your wonderful product shots. :D