Consistency in photo background?

[Former_Member]

I have been wondering about the photos in my shop lately... My photos are very different, and since visiting many different shops it tends to be the ones with a similar background that stand out to be...
I would love some feedback on weather I need to take new pictures or if it works for my type of items?

Thanks for any help!!

[Former_Member]

I can only speak for myself, but I personally like the way you have things set up. The photos are creative, and I like the way you bring your items out into nature.

[Gardenmis]

Hi Michala!

I think you should strive for a cohesive look by using the same or choose two (or three at most) backgrounds and then stick exclusively to those. It will give your shop a more unified look and will definitely help. :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks Kaylyn and Priscilla! I really appreciate your help!
Sounds like it's ok to have some nature background, but maybe choose a favorite and stick to it.

Kaylyn what lovely art you have in your shop! I really like your 'Late Night at the Masquerade' painting, you have a great way with light to create dimension.

Priscilla, Love your shop! Beautiful items! I can see you have chosen a background to stick to, and it really really works!

[Former_Member]

I love your shop, and your products look amazing. I definitely think it will make more of an impact if you had similar backgrounds. I love the look against the dark worn wood http://www.etsy.com/listing/99295939/gold-pyrite-gemstone-necklace
http://www.etsy.com/listing/99786699/grizzly-feather-earrings-with-red-tint

like these products :)

[Former_Member]

Alexandra, thank you so much for your feedback! Think you are right about the dark wood, will try it out.
Btw, your shop is beautiful, great items! I really like the Mustache Pillow Cover! Would actually go great with my new couch, so you might hear back from me soon :)

[Former_Member]

Michala-- beautiful shop and work! I've been going through a similar thing myself, and am trying to slowly work toward a few backgrounds to make my shop more cohesive and my items more treasure-able. I agree with most of the advice above that maybe two or three backgrounds is good. Some should have a plain white background since those are often the easiest to treasure. I also think your modeled shots are absolutely gorgeous! And, of your outdoor photos, I like this background the best:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/99289786/antique-gold-gypsy-hoop-earrings-with.
(I love the item, too!)
Anyone have any advice for me-- along the lines of photos and backgrounds?

[ForgedMettleJewelry]

I don't really think that all the photos in the shop hve to have the same background, as long as they have the same feel to then. Which by the way yours do...

[Former_Member]

i think a cohesive, nondistracting background is best right now your background makes your product hard to see. remember not all your customers have 20/20 vision and you dont want to lose someones money just because they cant make out your product.

my "work area is very simple and i use it much more than i do my expensive whitebox

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=414118798618568&set=a.414118608618587.98606.195572683806515&t...

the lights: 2 are white full spectrum light bulbs and i will replace all five with those lights.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=414118825285232&set=a.414118608618587.98606.195572683806515&t...
the area is reflective foil on one side, a white poster board in the back and

http://www.etsy.com/listing/87076731/gray-card-4-x-5-for-setting-camera-white
white balance with this or something similar, make sure it is made for white balance not only exposure

finally a background in the color of your choice
(you can also use a large reflective porcelain kitchen tile, which you can buy from any home depot or similar stores.
white
http://www.etsy.com/listing/100434157/photography-prop-background-material
bronze
http://www.etsy.com/listing/99042836/photo-background-mirrored-bronze-12-x-12
black
http://www.etsy.com/listing/97176853/photography-background-material

[Former_Member]

my results (all these were taken at midnight last night.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/101112393/knit-tie-for-men-skinny-knit-tie-fathers
https://www.etsy.com/listing/101117662/knit-tie-for-men-skinny-knit-tie-fall
https://www.etsy.com/listing/101117511/knit-tie-for-men-skinny-knit-tie-summer

[Former_Member]

Iam having this dilemma too, It is a long process to re photograph everything too.

I have taken a look at your shop and viewed it as a buyer.

Your items are beautiful, but I think it is a little hard to see them on the green nature backgrounds especially the guinea fowl earrings, the green is so bright it is very distracting and hard to make out the details on the earrings.

I think the wooden backgrounds work better, but I think the on the white backgrounds your items stand out clearly.

Hopefully this will give you a bit of help, but it's just my humble opinion and like I said it's a stumbling block for me too :)

[Former_Member]

Yes, I agree with Nicola, your items are beautiful, and unique, but blend with the background. I re photographed most of my items and my sales have actually gone up as a result.

[TheSalvagedEdge]

Squint your eyes and look at the picture. If your can't make out the product with your eyes squinted the background is too loud or not enough of a contrast.

Using colored/patterend backgrounds is an art form in itself which is why white backgrounds are so popular here! I am still tweaking to try to get mine exactly right.

[Former_Member]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback! Was very helpful!

Mountain mama --> I LOVE your shop! Especially your spiral earrings
http://www.etsy.com/listing/100660436/wabi-sabi-wire-spiral-earrings-in
Also really dig the white wooden surface you use as a background, it gives a very clean yet unique look to your shop, and it is subtle enough not to disturb the picture.

CoutureCrochet --> Thanks for the very constructive advice! Think I need to sit down and read through my camera manual again to get the best result. Also can't believe you took those picture at night! Gotta get me a light box! Great items too! Love the earthy colors you use.

[HausofAriella]

I think that the less distracting backgrounds are better. I also like modeled shots, but I'd stay away from using effects in any of your photos. This is a gorgeous photo in and of itself, but not a very good product photo in my opinion.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/99209885/native-feather-earring-with-10-suede
The sepia looks cool, but I had no idea what color the earrings were in the first photo. Product photos should give the viewer a clear idea of what the product look like, so getting photos that are as true to real life as possible is best in my opinion.

[Former_Member]

I now see everyone's point about the outdoor backgrounds, like the one in PatinaArrow's photo I posted earlier. It is very pretty but it does make it hard to see the product. And, thanks Michala, for your input on my shop-- I am trying to move more toward the white backgrounds (both the wood and the plain white), but I also like modeled shots. I think the shots with people in them help personalize an item, they help with scale, and they can also be fun for treasury lists... Some of my most-treasured items have been ones with an un-cluttered modeled shot.

[AuntBsAttic]

I like the brown wood background - it works well with our style jewelry.
The bracelets you photographed with a white background look great on the white . . . bottom line - YOUR instinct appears to be right on target -
With the ability to rearrange listings - go for cohesiveness across the row in your shop- and continue to photograph items in the environment that feels right to YOU !! You can always include a photo on a different background on the listing page for those that want to see it differently. I would let the "feathers against wood" become your "signature" when your listings appear in searches !!
Best of luck to you
(enjoyed your shop !!!!)

I

[Former_Member]

I think it's a good habit to get into!
I have no room to speak since my shop items have nothing in common and I have about 6 different background themes going on.

I was contemplating using different backgrounds according to the different categories each item is in?

Does that sound like a silly idea??
Thank you!