Tips for good pictures / Tips για καλές φωτογραφίες

Taking good photos of your handmade creations is essential if you want to sell them on line. Read on, Kostas aka Artistico is sharing with us his tips and some very useful links.

Το να βγάζεις καλές φωτογραφίες των όσων φτιάχνεις είναι βασικό αν θέλεις να πουλάς τις δημιουργίες σου στο internet. Συνεχίστε να διαβάζετε, ο Κώστας γνωστός και ως Artistico μοιράζεται μαζί μας τα μυστικά του και μας δίνει πολύ χρήσιμα links.



First of all your background shouldn't be busy, it needs to be simple and functional. If your items are multi-colored a white one or in a light gray color would be the best.

Πρώτα απ' όλα το φόντο δεν πρέπει να έχει πολλά πράγματα και σχέδια, χρειάζεται να είναι απλό και λειτουργικό. Αν τα αντικείμενά σας είναι πολύχρωμα ένα λευκό ή ανοιχτό γκρι θα ήταν το καλύτερο.



Lights! This is the most important factor. In the past I used a big semi transparent Tupperware food container with an opening on top exactly the size of the lens, to take pictures of small objects. I used to illuminate it with two daylight lamps from the two sides and with aperture f8 and a tripod, it did miracles because the Tupperware container diffuses the light and eliminates ugly shadows. Any large semi-transparent, milky container would do, as long as it lets the light pass through.

Φώτα! Είναι ο πιο σημαντικός παράγοντας. Στο παρελθόν για να φωτογραφίσω μικρά αντικείμενα, χρησιμοποιούσα ένα μεγάλο ημιδιάφανο τάπερ με ένα άνοιγμα στο πάνω μέρος ακριβώς στο μέγεθος του φακού. Το φώτιζα με δύο λάμπες φυσικού φωτός από τις δύο πλευρές και με ταχύτητα f8 και ένα τρίποδο έκανε θαύματα γιατί το τάπερ διαχέει το φώς και εξαφανίζει τις άσχημες σκιές. Οποιοδήποτε μεγάλο, λευκό, ημιδιάφανο, γαλακτερό δοχείο μπορεί να κάνει τη δουλειά, αρκεί να περνάει το φως από μέσα.

http://www.bmpt1.com/
http://kaysommers.wordpress.com/2008/12/17/jewelry-photography-tutorial-for-automatic-digital-camera/
http://www.mkdigitaldirect.com/tips/jewelry_photography_tips.html



You can make a lightbox if you take a cardboard box, cut out two big squares from the sides and cover them with white photocopy paper. Then dress the inside, besides the square holes with white fabric. You can make a third square opening on top if you want to put light there too. You take the pictures from the front side. Lay a pretty background in L shape, which must not form a corner but a curve.

Μπορείτε να φτιάξετε ένα φωτεινό κουτί με ένα χαρτόκουτο, αν κόψετε δύο μεγάλα τετράγωνα από τις δύο πλευρές και τα καλύψετε με λευκό φωτοτυπικό χαρτί. Μετά ντύστε το εσωτερικό με λευκό ύφασμα, εκτός από τις τετράγωνες τρύπες. Μπορείτε να φτιάξετε και μία τρίτη τρύπα στην πάνω πλευρά αν θέλετε να βάλετε φως και εκεί. Παίρνετε τις φωτογραφίες από την μπροστινή πλευρά. Στρώστε ένα ωραίο background σε μορφή L, να μην κάνει όμως γωνία αλλά καμπύλη.


Check these links for more info:

Επισκεφτείτε αυτά τα links για περισσότερες πληροφορίες:


http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent

http://www.createapendant.com/photobox.htm

http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent



Never take a photo aiming your camera straight forward to the object. Some perspective is better and from a close distance. Even the cheapest cameras have a macro function. Take photos from above, from the side, from floor level, it will make your photo more interesting.

Ποτέ μην παίρνετε φωτογραφία στοχεύοντας την φωτογραφική σας κατευθείαν στο αντικείμενο. Κάποια προοπτική είναι καλύτερη, και απο κοντινή απόσταση. Ακόμη και οι πιο φτηνές φωτογραφικές μηχανές έχουν λειτουργία macro. Φωτογραφείστε από επάνω, από τα πλάγια, από το επίπεδο του πατώματος, θα κάνει την φωτογραφία σας πιο ενδιαφέρουσα.
Ποτέ μην χρησιμοποιείτε το φλας της φωτογραφικής σας. Καλύτερα χρησιμοποιείστε φυσικό φως ή φώτα στις δύο πλευρές αλλά σε συνδυασμό με το φωτεινό κουτί που περιέγραψα πιο πάνω.


If you want your photos to have a certain theme, for example vintage, marriage etc. then put in the background something that reminds this but don't overdo it, it could be a small rock or a piece of paper, or other things that shouldn't distract attention from the main object though.

Αν θέλετε οι φωτογραφίες σας να έχουν ένα συγκεκριμένο θέμα, για παράδειγμα vintage ή γάμος κ.λ.π. βάλτε στο πίσω μέρος κάτι που να το θυμίζει αλλά μην το παρακάνετε, θα μπορούσε να είναι μία μικρή πέτρα ή ένα κομμάτι χαρτί ή άλλα πράγματα χωρίς ωστόσο να τραβάνε την προσοχή από το κυρίως αντικείμενο.


Never forget to experiment taking photos of the same theme with different backgrounds. You will find out that x background works much better than y background and makes your object look much more beautiful. Let a friend tell you his opinion.

Ποτέ μην ξεχνάτε να πειραματίζεστε να φωτογραφίζετε το ίδιο θέμα με διαφορετικά background. Θα ανακαλύψετε ότι το α background λειτουργεί καλύτερα από το β και δείχνει το αντικείμενό σας πολύ πιο όμορφο. Ζητείστε από έναν φίλο να σας πει την γνώμη του.


If you have photoshop the first thing to do is add light but without "burning" your picture. After that add some contrast to make the colors pop, and unsharp to add clearness and sharpness to your picture.

Αν έχετε photoshop το πρώτο πράγμα είναι να προσθέσετε φως χωρίς να κάψετε την φωτογραφία σας. Μετά από αυτό προσθέστε contrast για να ζωντανέψετε τα χρώματα και κάντε unsharp για να προσθέσετε καθαρότητα και οξύτητα στην φωτογραφία σας.

Read here about corrections:
Διαβάστε εδώ σχετικά με τις διορθώσεις:

http://graphicssoft.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=graphicssoft&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.designer-info.com%2FWriting%2Fimage_enhancement.htm

http://digital-photography-school.com/color-correction-photoshop


Jewelry Photography
http://www.tabletopstudio.com/documents/jewelry_photography.htm

Bead Photography
http://www.tabletopstudio.com/documents/glassbead_photography.htm

Silver Photography
http://www.tabletopstudio.com/documents/silver_photography.htm

Glass Photography
http://www.tabletopstudio.com/documents/glass_photography.htm

http://www.tabletopstudio.com/documents/glass_photography.htm

http://www.tabletopstudio.com/documents/swarovski_crystal_photography.htm


We hope this was helpful for you!

Ελπίζουμε να σας βοηθήσαμε!


by Kostas and Tina

last Saturday our quess the theme winner


I visited her shop and I found so many great stuff , I spied her and I found this great BIO!!!

Personalized embroidered monogram pendantRed earrings with heart
Ssssssss don’t tell no one about this … because I want to surprise her with this post..
Her name is Tina and she live in Athens, Greece, with her husband and 2 little boys. After missing a lot of time doing things that she didn't enjoy she is at last in the right place: She make jewelry and she love it.

She has always enjoyed making stuff. As a kid she loved painting with watercolours, making clothes for her dolls (using a rather unconventional method), and making paper stuff to decorate her room. As a grown up she took pottery lessons for 2 years, painted children murals and furniture and occasionally made jewelry. But 3 years ago she started again and she can't stop since.
Circle bracelet with text Heart brooch with text - redSquare pendant with leafGold and black ring with heartBlack square earringsPurple rectangle pendant with catPurple heart bracelet

As a woman she like to wear different kinds of jewelry depending on the mood or the circumstances, as a crafter she loves to play with various materials otherwise she would be bored. Currently she experiment with papier mache. Nevertheless the materials that can be used in jewelry making and their combinations are endless and she can't wait to try them.
You can learn more about the things she loves if you visit her blog:
www.afewprettythings.blogspot.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
and from her blog i copied this post ssssssssss... dont tell her....xexexexexe

This feels great! I am featured in greek Lucky magazine's June's issue, as "designer of the month". I don't know if this will mean anything for my business, for the moment I am just enjoying it. They also put a link of my shop on their site.

Αυτό είναι υπέροχο! Το περιοδικό Lucky του Ιουνίου με παρουσιάζει σαν "σχεδιαστή του μήνα".Δεν ξέρω αν αυτό θα σημαίνει κάτι για τη δουλειά μου, προς το παρόν απολαμβάνω τη στιγμή. Έχουν βάλει και ένα σύνδεσμο προς το κατάστημά μου στο site τους.







Tina is famous !!!!!!!!!!! ... now i need some coffee after that... very hard work to spy people...lol
bye for now ... see you later.....



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Theme for Saturday

Guess the Theme!!!!

Each Saturday I will post pictures from various Etsy Shops and YOU are to guess the Theme For Saturday

...Make a comment as to what you think my Theme is...At the end of the week I will randomly pick a THEME FOR Saturday WINNER...The winner will receive a full feature artist post in our Team blog if you are seller or a discount from our shops (Greek Team) if you are buyer ....














Comment your guess and I'll post the Theme next
Friday night...

I wish you good luck!!!
(post only one time )
Thank you!!!







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Earth Hour

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming.
WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.
This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.
press here to choose your location, language and see your local time

With much much love i'd like to introduce to you the girl behind 'Loulou & Ocsar', i met her through flickr i appreciate her work and blog writing. She started blogging a few months ago and since then i have been following ... i think that it definitely is her literature studies that make her writings fun to read, but the thing that really amazes me is her perspective and way of introducing things.
Her work seems to come from an inner inspiration and the form is very well designed.
i think it again is her literature studies (and not my laziness) that will make me post her interview as it is... i can't correct anything or add something else....enjoy!...


who is that girl?

1. Who is that girl indeed, I sometimes wonder myself!
At the moment I am a full time mother and part time creature maker/fledgling crafter. My son has just begun nursery a few mornings a week so I am planning to experiment a little, try and expand my repertoire and put a few non-plush items into my little Etsy shop.
After university, I studied English Literature and then Modern Philosophy, I couldn't bear to leave my saturday job and became a Librarian in Islington, London for 7 years. After moving to Birmingham to continue studying I met my husband and had our son, Ishi. To fill the void left by my abandoned studies I decided to try my hand at creature making. I have been sewing since last April or thereabouts and love it. I am self taught and have so much to learn. I often wish that the artists and makers I admire lived close enough to pop over and give me some tutorials!



why fish?

- You are right, I do use fish a lot in my work. There are several reasons I think. The first has come up since we moved to this tiny island off the coast of France, I am used to living in big cities and feel a little trapped here, walk for a few miles and you bump up against the shore and the sea every time. You can't use your legs to get out of here and I'm not that strong a swimmer! The fish represents freedom and escape for me. The hybrid Fish Boys possibly bring my desire to exist in these two elements (water and air) into material form. I am surrounded by water but landlocked. Perhaps I was a mermaid or a merman in a previous existence! Secondly, water forms a barrier between aquatic life and human existence. Not too sound too odd but I was afraid of anything with fur as a child, no fluffy kittens or puppies for me, major phobia! So, I had fish. I could love them at a nice, safe distance, they kept to their element and I didn't attempt to disturb them (my mother had to clean the tank!).Ok, do i sound totally strange now?!



why blog?

- I have always wanted a shop or gallery space in which to collect together all of the beautiful objects and treasures I come across. I started blogging with the idea of having some fun and perhaps promoting my little Etsy shop a bit. My blog soon transformed itself into a kind of personal Wonder Cabinet. I found that it was much more rewarding to share the work of others and hopefully give a little light to undiscovered beauty. Blogging fulfills my need to 'curate' and, I suppose, 'catalogue' the objects that touch me. One of the most amazing things about blogging are the connections and friendships you make. I was looking at the work of an artist I admire very much on Flickr not long after I began the Lou Lou & Oscar blog. I wanted to know more about this artist's creative process and wondered from where she drew her inspiration. Why not just send her an email and ask her to do an interview for my blog, I thought. Simple right?! I plucked up the courage, emailed and happily the answer was "yes" and my Monday interviews were born. Running a blog is a fantastic way of connecting with people whose work you love and you get to share it with whoever happens to dropping in to visit that day. It is very time consuming, especially if you wish to post everyday, but blogging gives so much back. I sometimes have to force myself away from Wordpress and onto the sewing machine!


mother

- Stones, dusty hair, bear faces! These are the first images that came into my mind when I think of my son who is sitting downstairs with his Dad at the moment. Ishi is a constant inspiration, he has brought softness and much needed balance into my life, before he came along I had a tendency to inhabit the darker spaces. I move more to the rhythm of toddler time now, I feel closer to the natural world.Ishi’s empathy and enthusiasm definitely feeds my work, he is a budding land artist with a particular prediliction for pebble sculpture and leaf arrangement, we have most of the beach living with us at the moment! Ishi’s attachment to natural objects reminds me of the passionate loveI used to feel for particular stones and twigs as a child. These objects always carried a secret intelligence with them and I treated them as you might a beloved pet. I had forgotten many of the obsessions of my childhood and being Ishi’s Mum has given me access to this world again. I found thatbecoming a mother and allowing myself to be caught up less in theoretical musing opened up a new space for me and also gave me confidence in my physical dexterity. I found that I was able to transfer the craft projects I had in my mind into physical reality. Becoming a mother has given me access to so many new experiences and inspired me to learn how to sew.


share an image that you love

- This is cheating a little as there are two images here! I put them together for a recent blog post. They are my favourite images for obvious reasons. The first boy with the pink ukulele is my son and the child below him is my husband when he was around the same age. I think that they look so alike, which is a marvelous thing in my opinion! They are both very thoughtful people and I have learnt so much from them.

... have to say that i was much touched when reading her answers. thanks for being my friend and hope to see you one day!....

Theme for Saturday

Guess the Theme!!!!

Each Saturday I will post pictures from various Etsy Shops and YOU are to guess the Theme For Saturday

...Make a comment as to what you think my Theme is...At the end of the week I will randomly pick a THEME FOR Saturday WINNER...The winner will receive a full future artist post in our Team blog if you are seller or a discount from our shops (Greek Team) if you are byer ....


To love

Vivid Rainbow Heart Earring Studs

Embroidered sleeping scented kitty

Bracelet with  tiny red square

Happy Mothers Day Card

Comment your guess and I'll post the Theme next
Friday night...

I wish you good luck!!!
(post only one time )
Thank you!!!




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