Since attempting to photograph my "Diamonds in the Pond" quilt from several different locations (see last post), I decided that the best spot is still on my sewing room design wall. However, the tray ceiling and adjacent wall (on the right where my rulers are hanging), make shadows on whatever is on the design wall.
A blog reader/friend, pointed me to this "Shoot That Quilt!" article, that provides lots of great information about setting up to take pictures, and even settings for one's camera. Though the article appears to have been posted a while back, the information remains relevant, and the links to various products still work. Only the prices of those products (light bulbs and reflector lamps) have increased slightly, as I found out after making purchases.
The article explains that daylight bulbs aren't all the same. So I ordered four of these from 1000bulbs.com, (linked in the article), for $5.18 each.
I'll need only two of the bulbs for the two portable work lights I bought at Lowe's Home Improvement, but having two back-up bulbs makes sense. These lamps are $7.68 each.
The article explains how to build stands for each lamp, so the lights are at the same level as the camera. Happily, I have a quilt stand with two sturdy pole legs that I can clamp the lamp onto, and then position the height to whatever I need.
This was my set-up. Note that the following two photos were taken with my iPhone 8. While my phone takes vivid, clear pictures, I'm never pleased with the intensity of the colors, which I think are exaggerated. For example, the navy at the bottom left of this quilt is not that dark.
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| Photographing "Owl Always Love You" |
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| Photographing "Roulette" |
Here is "Roulette," my wedges quilt photographed without daylight bulb lighting. Though shadows appear on the quilt, the quilting texture is apparent.
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| Roulette, 52" X 68-1/2" |
Here's the photo with daylight bulb lighting. While the quilt appears brighter overall, I've lost the visual texture of the quilting.
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| Roulette, 52" X 68-1/2" |
I read that article also. Bought the lights, backdrop, and new light stands. Money wasted! I find the best photos are outside when the sun is directly overhead. You can see the colors the quilting. Finding a day when the weather is cooperative is the hardest thing. Good luck finding the perfect shot!
ReplyDeleteQuilt photography is interesting, we all experiment with the best place in the house for the equipment at hand. My greatest angst is the way my camera sometimes won't "read" a certain color at all, no matter the lighting or setting, flash or no flash. On my monitor, to my eyes, the more interesting photo of Roulette is the one with the shadows because they add dimensionality to the piece. But I understand the need to have full-on professional looking shots of quilts that will be entered into competition etc. I hope your efforts will soon be rewarded with photos that you love, because that's what is most important!
ReplyDeleteInteresting! Too bad this wasn't the perfect 'fix' for you but hoping more experimenting will. Light really is complicated!
ReplyDeletePlace your lights more to the side of your quilt, not facing the quilt. That should help.
ReplyDeleteI like your experimenting!