A question of vision-

[Another Time]

Every couple of days, I love sitting for a relaxing spell with the photo gallery on our Main page here at the Village. The breadth of vintage variety is astounding! And the incredible artistry of many of the photos is totally inspiring.

Having been an Etsy member for a little over a year now, I will say the greatest lesson Etsy has taught me is to be more imaginative with my photography. Coming from eBay, the intent was "get that product visible" in one shot. Good heavens - pay extra for photos??? Etsy photography has a totally different scope. If you sit and do a technical-eye-review of print ads, the same holds true: capture the essence, not just the product for sale.

Think about it - what lures you into an image? The full Monty? or alluring captivation?? For me it's usually the allure.

The photos that show an item off center or split screen really are grabbing. Ones that seem to be floating in air make me want to look closer - how'd that happen? Super close closeups make me die to see more. Light pools and shadows are fascinating! The photos that show only one small area of an item make me click immediately to see more! The photos showing a small image in the middle of the back yard patio allow me to pass right by.

So, the point here? A couple of ideas for successful online advertising
--give me your essence,
--fool around with lights and closeups,
--play a bit,
--MAKE me want to come in and see more!

The image in the photo gallery introduces you and your store. Once you've captured my attention on a page that is specifically your store - who knows where it will lead! Perhaps even a sale or two!! :)

[HighDesertRose]

THANK YOU! I am reading a book right now about Killer vs Filler web content.
Just 'filling' up the web with ads and pics is boring. It does take time to take photos creatively, but, if you like to do this your own soul can be nourished and your brain stimulated with yet more creative ideas.

I love Flickr and use it to 'doll' my photos up when my novice picture taking needs a kick in the pants. It's fun to ad effects such as the floating in air effect, vignette, frames and text all create a pull on the viewer.

Thanks for starting this thread, it's very encouraging to me personally that our photos look more museum and less yard sale. (just my own opinion, I have a long way to go yet myself.)

[Purple Daisy Jewelry]

Oh goodness, photos are my frustration. I want to take different/better/more creative ones. But, that glare on jewelry is a monster sometimes. Plus I feel like too much in the picture other than jewelry detracts and looks too busy.

Sometimes I take 12-15 shots of one item and still am not happy. I have some ideas but haven't yet gotten to them. Maybe I will now that you bring it up!

Thanks for the inspiration!

[CarriersCozyCottage -Admin]

Very good post !

I am more inclined to be attracted to an item if both the Title and the Picture tell me that I have found exactly what I was looking for. I actually get frustrated with artistic tilts and close-ups that tell me nothing about the item I am looking at. As a shopper, Often times I skip past these types of photos.
Don't get me wrong, I have a great appreciation for Art and Creativeness, just not when it comes to online shopping.

I have spent years on doing my photographs and I continue to work on perfecting this Art everyday. My personal objective is to Make the Shopper feel like they can pick up the item and hold it in their hand. I want them to have the clearest vision of what that item is that they are investing their money in.

One photo shoot (approx 15-20 items) will consist of over 200 pictures.

Cozy♥

[Yesterdays Pleasures - Admin]

Picures have always been my challenge, but I have an old digital camera. Can that be the reason??

I wonder if any of you can recommend a decent camera that doesn't cost a fortune. I'd appreciate it.

Thanks - jane

[Yesterdays Pleasures - Admin]

Thanks da diva.......I'll check that out after I pay for the doggie fence we just had put in :)

[HighDesertRose]

I love my Fuji! check my photos on Flickr or in my shop. for around 200.00 dollars you can get all that you need, including a large memory card, batteries etc. My staging for photos still needs a lot of work but the camera is great, just need to keep learning how to use all of it's great features.

Yesterdays Pleasures said:

Picures have always been my challenge, but I have an old digital camera. Can that be the reason??

I wonder if any of you can recommend a decent camera that doesn't cost a fortune. I'd appreciate it.

Thanks - jane

[Yesterdays Pleasures - Admin]

Thanks Karen - This is good, I can go play with both camera's and see which feels good in my hands :)

[CarriersCozyCottage -Admin]

Jane I have found some great deals on cameras on ebay..or feebay. LOL

Da Diva....your photos are super nice !!! Great work !



Da Cozy ♥

[Yesterdays Pleasures - Admin]

Thanks Da Cozy :)

[Another Time]

Here's one tip: buy yourself a photographers blue light. They are very expensive and only last about 3 hrs! You turn it on just before the shot and turn it off right after you are done shooting. Mine is marked: BCA No1 GE. Bought mine at a camera/photographic store. I treasure it!!

This pic was taken with regular spot:

This silver tone jewelry was taken with the blue light bulb:

Regarding glare: You really have to have indirect lighting (brightness that is all around and not just from one direct source) or use a light tent type canopy. If you look at a photo light box setup, it's pretty easy to just create your own. The object is to have a sheer cloth breaking up the direct glare of the spotlight. Sometimes I use it, sometimes not.

This was shot under a canopy:

I have two cameras one an old Sony and another FinePix S3100 by Fuji. All the images above are from the FinePix. To me the most important part is closeup ability.

[Charmings/Admin]

AnotherTime your photos are gorgeous! I can see where a close up is an attention grabber with some items. I usually use a full monty shot but I try to fill the frame and have a contrasting solid background. I use natural light and what I shoot depends on the weather - colored glass when it's sunny, silver and clear glass when it's somewhat overcast for example. Someone here, PDJ maybe, uses textured solid color scrapbook paper for jewelry backgrounds - the embossed paper looks rich and adds interest without being distracting.

[Another Time]

Thanks Karen. Backgrounds are so crucial. I have several items of cloth around for different products. Always a challenge! I think my most favorite spot is a glass table where the smalls look like they are floating in air! One lady I know uses crinkled plastic bags as a base. It's just amazing what illusions can be created!