Do I need a new camera? DSLR?

[lippybrand]

Hi. Im debating buying a new camera from my shop photos. I feel like the close up pictures are fine but I am having a hard time with bigger clothing. Im not sure if I need a new technique or a new camera.

If you could look at my shop pics and give any advice it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Amy

[lippybrand]

Looking at digital slr's (DSLR) I currently have a point and shoot.

[HausofAriella]

I don't think you need a new camera necessarily, though if you want one and can afford it, then go for. It looks like your biggest issue is lighting really. You could spend the money on some nice studio-quality lights or, for a quick and cheap fix, just play with the levels in your editing program. That being said, I just got a new camera and I love it. It's a Canon Powershot SX40 HS, which is a bridge camera - meaning it's between a point and shoot and a DSLR. I'm quite happy with it and it was cheaper than the DSLRs ($379). Had I spent the $$$$ more for a DSLR, I would have gone with one of the Canon Rebels.

[Former_Member]

A DSLR is a big investment. If you're pulling in that kind of money or have it laying around, go for it. I use a point and shoot for my pictures and I'm pretty happy with it.
I agree with Ariella, and studio lighting is way cheaper than a new camera. It can be kinda tough when you're trying to layout a whole outfit, but that might mean that you need more space to shoot photos, because a camera won't necessarily correct that.
Small photography lamps with daylight bulbs are less than $50 a pair on Amazon, which is way cheaper than a new camera :)

[lippybrand]

Thats what i am looking at. :) I like the thought of getting a new one. But I dont want to if its just my technique thats the issue, then a new camera wouldnt help. Maybe I will try some lighting first, I never thought of that!
Thanks!

[mothrasue]

i agree that you don't necessarily need a new camera. besides increasing your light levels i would try to find a uniform background that you could use in most/all photos. white tends to be the default since it works for pretty much every kind of item and works well on Etsy in general, but there are some awesome shops on here that have solid color backgrounds, etc. in their photos. The key is to keep it consistent. I wouldn't use a textured background, especially not for knit/fabric items, since it distracts from the item.

if you do decide to get a dslr, i recently bought a nikon D3200 and it is incredible, especially compared to the camera i was using. i highly recommend it.

[lippybrand]

Thanks for pointing that out about the texture. I have noticed something off with those photos, that must be it!

[Former_Member]

i just got a canon t2i and i LOVE it.

the thing is that the images will be crisper clearer and with more detail, but if you dont know how to use the camera or compose a shot you will just have crisper, clearer, and more detailed bad pictures.

so while i love my dslr and am happy with the quality i also think that if you are unable or unwilling to spend a lot of time learning about photography, composition, lighting and so on, its really wasted cash.

[Former_Member]

yeah you need some help with lighting and background.

one thing is have a set up, either a portable one or a fixed one

i have a fixed area where i always do my shots
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=414118798618568&set=a.414118608618587.98606.195572683806515&t...

i also just put in some daylight compact light bulbs in a regular lamp and they work great
the two white ones
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=414118825285232&set=a.414118608618587.98606.195572683806515&t...
a lamp like this can be positioned and reposition.

finally i got a gray card for white balance which helps me but i am not sure you need it.

the seller greenpix sells backgrounds. i have one and used it for shots like this

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

i only cropped the image, i didnt do ANY color correction or anything. this was with the t2i canon

i used this background.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/100434157/photography-prop-background-material

for that shot

[lippybrand]

Wow those are really good pics! I have a hard time in my home setting up a permanent spot since the only unused room has one small window that faces north. Im always in a big hurry to get new items listed so I end up doing a blanket, on my bed for background. I think thats gotta change. Im going to try some of these tips in the next week ot two and see what i can do with my current camera. Its a panasonic lumix dmc-tz1. We'll see if i can get by
Thanks!!!

[Former_Member]

I agree it is a lot about the lighting. I LOVE my DSLR, but I agree with all the above comments. I would start with lighting and my current camera if I just was looking into a DSLR for my product shots.

[ShopLaurenLeah]

A DSLR is a big investment but they make a difference. I used to have a point and shoot but now I have a DSLR- the thing about it is you have to spend a lot of time learning how to use it and I still have no idea what I'm doing. You have to dedicate a lot of time to learning your DSLR. If you don't have the time- continue to use your point and shoot with great editing programs. Picmonkey.com is a great free one.

[Former_Member]

I think that you should try the lighting first. I like your composition! I too am looking for a DSLR but am waiting for one that is more pocket sized. I wonder how long I will have to wait??

[Former_Member]

Amy from lippybrand says

Wow those are really good pics! I have a hard time in my home setting up a permanent spot since the only unused room has one small window that faces north. Im always in a big hurry to get new items listed so I end up doing a blanket, on my bed for background. I think thats gotta change. Im going to try some of these tips in the next week ot two and see what i can do with my current camera. Its a panasonic lumix dmc-tz1. We'l
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the i actually learned to photograph on a lumix great cameras, but if i remember correctly they struggle with micro shots

even if you cant set up a permant area, you can do a moveable one.

i actually use huge sheets of poster board the bigger the better. it is super cheap. easy to set up and move. and gives a nice good white.

[Former_Member]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk5hHNsAcec

this is a really fun long video because it shows you two ways to take product photos for less than $25 and get really professional results.

what i like best about this video is that i doesnt just tell you HOW but it also tells you WHY so that you can learn the concepts and be able to do it yourself with ease

[Former_Member]

I've found this thread EXTREMELY useful as my pics generally suck...and I know it. I really appreciate all the advice given here, and the links shared.

Although this wasn't my thread, I'm really glad the OP started it. Thanks!

[DeborahDurikDesigns]

Thanks for this discussion! Just picked this up for my jewelry pics as I've seen it used by others and loved the effect!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/100434157/photography-prop-background-material

[Former_Member]

I have a DSLR but I never use if for my shop photos. I use my good old Nikon coolpix for those and iphoto to brighten them up a bit....done :)

[ChrisOsCreations]

your photos are already detailed
like this one
http://www.etsy.com/listing/98954632/boys-blue-pacifier-clip-fits-mam-soothie

if you search a little around for improving the lightning or the way you take your photos you will have amazing results

[PlumetotheWind]

Amy, I think your composition is good. I agree with the comment about using a flat, not textured background. This will create a nice contrast and make your items stand out.

With that being said, I think if you have the money, and are looking for a new camera, I would get a DSLR. I bought one soon after I opened my shop and I absolutely love it. It saves a ton of time on photo editing, and the ability to focus on certain areas of the photo will really help you on those non-close up shots.

Lastly, I would remove your logo/business name from the photos. I think it is distracting.

[Former_Member]

You don't need one, I've seen some stunning images on Etsy that were shot on a camera phone. However if you want to make an investment for your business I would recommend it. You don't need to buy a new one with a billion mega pixels either. Also you will need little to no editing bar resizing (possibly) and sharpening (possibly.) l've got a Nikon D50 which I bought from a photographer friend. It's a commercial usage one ie not quite pro level, it's not too heavy and it is pretty easy to use though I have yet to get my head round a lot of it yet - point and shoot works very well (not my white images, they are the nightmare ones!) You can buy with lens for about £300 GBP second hand, I've seen them in the past for as little as £80 GBP minus lens.

[Former_Member]

You don't need one, I've seen some stunning images on Etsy that were shot on a camera phone
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I don't know if I have ever seen that but it reminds me of another point. If etsy is your goal than you don't *need* one. But if your goal is to go beyond etsy a dslr might help. I know for me blogs that feature me want high resolution pictures. And print features will not accept cell phone pics no matter how good they look on screen because even the high resolution ones lack the detail that a dslr image. Many times they will take pictures for you but having your own high quality high resolution, makes it much easier to get considered and get your foot in door.

Getting that outside feature from blogs is really valuable and worth much more over time in ad dollars than $700 cost for a good dslr. But again that only helps if you can learn to use a dslr.

[Former_Member]

That's a rather strange statement - if Etsy is your goal you don't need one. Numerous sellers are more than happy with Etsy being their goal. Big or smaller sellers don't need to go elsewhere if they are selling well for them and even if they, big or small do, there is no rule saying you need a DSLR for your images. No a camera phone isn't ideal but you can still get very decent images from other camera types as has already been said. As pro photographers will usually say in threads like this, if you don't know how to use a DSLR properly then you don't need one. I'm in two minds about that because point and shoot on a DSLR is still going to be better than a lot of other types. Buy what you can afford but use what you can afford to the best advantage plus learn about your purchase and like with any business resource whether it is a phone or a computer or a printer etc get what works best for you at the time. You can always upgrade when finances etc allow.

Print - yes your need to provide high res but we are not talking the need for RAW, I've sent them often enough that were published though in most cases they want the products to shoot themselves because they are very fussy and quite rightly so.

A question though, why to blogs need high res? They are online and therefore it is still 72dpi irrespective or what your originally shot it in.

[Former_Member]

Claire from CardsAndCraft says

That's a rather strange statement - if Etsy is your goal you don't need one
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its not meant to be anything, certainly not offensive or pegorative at all. just echoing what others have said if you only want to use the images for etsy and viewing on the screen than its not something that is a "need" because a point and shoot works fine.

however many sellers do other things with images that may require a higher resolution and in that case a dslr really would help because they have that larger sensor to take advantage of all those megapixels. whereas a PS camera might have 14 mega pixels but a super tiny sensor so that you dont get as crisp an image of other uses, such as outside features.

when i was featured on moo.com they wanted the full high resolution images. why i dont know. i know that i had to sign a release so my guess is they might want to use them in print. i was prepared for something like that and if i had been using a camera phone i would have been SOL

thats all i meant to say

[WildflowerSalvage]

One thing to keep in mind, although photos are amazing with a higher end DSLR...uploading takes FOREVER!!! I used mine for awhile, but got so sick of sitting and waiting upwards of 8 minutes for one listings photos to upload. I think a good point and shoot like Canon sx260 gives great photos without the large photo sizes.