Thanks to friendly & wise Etsyians, I am chock full of photography advice. I just bought a new camera, and plan on learning how to use it to makes my photos more professional. Until then, I shall share some of the quick tips I've gotten!
- The more basic your camera, the more reliant you are on perfect lighting conditions
- Complicated cameras give you more control, but take the time to practice!
- "Bridge" cameras could be better for new learners, with a lot of features and lower prices
- Don't ever use built in camera flash!
- You want soft white light for product photos; go outdoors on an overcast day, indoors when the sun isn't to harsh, or invest in special daylight bulbs
- It takes more time to clean up a mess and not make one, a photo program can only do so much! Get your photos done right the first time, before trying to edit away
- Good lighting and learning your camera settings should amount to minimal tweaking in a photo imaging program
- For product photos, use a plain background that doesn't distract!
Amazing Links
Kouture Crochet's Photography Tips with Links
DigitalRev YouTube Channel
Digital Photography Review
CNET Digital Camera Reviews
Welcome the family owned shop ConversationGlass from Dallas, TX. They've got some insights to share and of course link for you to check out (Facebook Pinterest& Twitter). Yay Etsy! Buy local & handmade! Better yet, upcycled! ;D
When did
you know you wanted to create and sell handmade items? We're a
family business - my wife, my daughter and myself. We found a way to teach our
daughter that business can have a conscience through our bottle crafting! We
take bottles destined for landfills and make awesome glassware and housewares
from them. The process from start to finish is quite fun. From finding just the
right bottles, to cutting them into something reusable and fun.
Where
does your inspiration come from? My
inspiration comes primarily from having a family that likes to eat
regularly! All kidding aside, we are passionate about living responsibly. We
know that there are many things on this planet that are renewable. As a family
that's felt the effects of industrial outsourcing and labor expendability, we
sought a way to find our own way. And this way had to harm none - a business
with a conscience.
What’s
the most memorable custom item you’ve created? Our most
memorable item so far has been a bottle hand-etched by my 14 year old daughter.
Getting and keeping our daughter involved and excited about the process can be
a challenge. With typical teenage reluctance, she dragged a bit at first, but
now she gets excited, too when we complete glassware sets and make sales.
Recently, she designed (by hand) a Dr Who Tardis from a Bombay Sapphire bottle.
Impressive work that brought her mucho satisfaction!
Besides
creating things, what do you do? Aside
from our shop, I am a stay at home Dad that works part time in software sales.
My partner and wife is a veterinary technician full time. We spend most of our
free time catering to our 3 dogs - Arwen, Nyxie, and Fenway.
What is
the most important advice anyone has given you? The best
advice I've received in two-fold. First, provide the best customer service you
possibly can. When looking for handmade items, people want to feel special.
They can get poor customer service at Wal-Mart. Second, don't be discouraged by
hard work. You determine where your shop goes. I think
sharing this advice with other sellers is my best advice. Pay it forward, so to
speak.
