I’ve been waiting ages to photograph the remaining project bags that I didn’t sell at Chagford Show two weeks ago. I like to take project photographs outside to get the better light and I find the plants give a better backdrop. However every time I’ve had a moment to photograph the project bags, it’s either been brilliant sunshine or rain. Being Dartmoor, of course it’s been mostly rain.
Yesterday afternoon the weather was finally better – not great, but okay, so I decided to take the photos. I began with my grab bags, but the metal handles just wouldn’t sit well and I didn’t have much time. They look great in real life, but just didn’t want to behave for the photos. In the desperation I hung them from a door. I’ve put them in the shop, but I’m far from happy with them, so will have to do them again.
I moved onto the zipped project bags. These behaved better, but just as I was about photograph them, the sun came out from behind a cloud and started casting shadows. I didn’t have time to wait for it to get lower, so moved around to find an angel where I didn’t cast a shadow on what I was photographing. The result…?
… The skein of yarn, that was supposed to enhance the photo and give a visual idea of the size of the bag, is distorted by the angle into making it look much bigger that it is! These aren’t even going near the shop.
On a positive note, I was happy with the picture of my one remaining black Labrador purse.
But as Meatloaf says, one out of eight is pants!
Of course it’s raining again this morning. So while I wait again for better weather, have you guys got any top tips about taking wonderful project pictures?
Dartmoor Creative 
Being in Scotland, I have exactly the same problem! I’m seriously considering getting a ‘natural light’ lightbulb so I don’t have to wait for the rain to stop
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Great idea! 🙂
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I actually like your grab bag photos. I like a plain background – the lighter the colour the better. As somebody has already said a daylight lamp is invaluable on grey days and I also have a mini ‘studio’ where you put your (small) items in a sort of collapsible fabric box and then illuminate it with the lights that come with it although, I confess, I can seldom be bothered to get it out. I rarely take photographs outside because the light is too unpredictable and there are too many distractions in the background – dogs usually! – but I can see that you would want to for some of your items due to the wool coming from Dartmoor and wanting to emphasise that fact. Don’t hate me, because you say you are happy with it, but I find the Labrador purse photo doesn’t do the item justice. It blends too much into the background and looks slightly murky. Obviously, that’s just my opinion but you did ask.
Love those grab bags anyway – they are perfect for little projects. x
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I’m glad you like the grab bag photos, since right now I need very little encouragement to leave them as they are. I’m also glad you like the grab bags. Thank you.
I’d really like to take everything up on the moor and photograph it, but it’s so full of tourists an odd dog in the way would be nothing 😦
I don’t hate you at all about the Labrador. Thank you for your honesty. I wasn’t 100% myself, just running out of energy to rephotograph everything.
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Nothing from this corner – my photos are always pants!! I’ll wish you ‘good luck’ with a cheery wave as I hurry on by 🙂
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Rubbish! Your artwork looks fab. Waving back at ya! 🙂
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I’m still really at the ‘point and click’ stage of things, although I probably relaly could do with trying harder. Something to think about…
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Being an ex-photographer, I used a light box to photograph small items. Otherwise, natural light is best – a grey day is perfect. Minus the rain, of course. Therein lies the challenge…..
Great bags though!
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Thank you 🙂
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I’m not much of a photographer I’m afraid and always struggle with my photos! Not helped of course by a new camera I’m still trying to work out.
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I have an old camera, but forget to change the settings. Good luck with your new one. I’m sure it will soon be second nature 🙂
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I love the bags, they are absolutely stunning.
I am not good at taking proper photographs, and I think you did a wonderful job, given when and how you had to go about it.
All the best, I will keep checking what you get up to in the future wrt taking your photos. 🙂
Have a fun day.
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Thank you. Although the bottom line is if they’re on the website they need to look good, whatever the adverse circumstances 🙂 Hope you’re having fun today too xx
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I have found it hard to photograph stock inside or outside sometimes. You spend what seems like hours trying to get just one photograph ! I now use our little summer house to photograph most of my aprons as it has white walls and is nice and bright but its a bit of a pain in the Winter. Love all the project bags though. 🙂
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Sounds a great place for photos. I have removed pictures from walls and hung smaller things on their hooks. Maybe hubby should build me a summerhouse for the bigger stuff 🙂
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Oh I’m useless at actually taking photos of things I’ve made. Mostly because they require enough clean space for me to stand.
But I think the bags look good in their current photos. A plain background helps them stand out, but maybe if you did manage to take some outdoor photos add them as well but not instead of the current photos.
I do find my conservatory is good for taking photos as it let’s more light in but is still an inside location,so I have more control over it.
Good luck with future photos
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Thanks for another vote of confidence on the bag photos. A conservatory sounds a great idea on a damp day. I don’t have one, but I do have a glass covered veranda. Maybe I should investigate using that ?
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