A couple of weeks ago I mentioned a few things on using the macro setting on your camera. We talked about finding the little flower icon and how to test cameras in the store...but just how do you use that macro to enhance your small object photography?


Three words:

I love how this Etsy shop really uses the space *around* their air plants and terrariums. The neutral background and courage to show a "horizon" line in the background gives their photos a more personal feeling than they would if they were just on a stark white background, don't you think?

• Photo composition is static
• Overuse of Photoshop ends up with a flat, gray and lifeless photo
• Props are little distracting

• Composition shows that the object is 3-dimensional
• Brightness and contrast are better and colors are more vibrant
• Just a hint of the prop used to add interest to the photo

If you've done everything you can think of to brighten up your photos but somehow they still end up a little dark / gray, find out if your camera is able to adjust the Exposure Value or EV Compensation. Typically, it's a menu option like this:

As I mentioned earlier this week, using the macro setting on your point-and-shoot camera is essential to taking clear photos with sharp focus. If the camera you are currently using does not have a macro setting then it is time for you to look into buying a new camera.

1. Turn on the camera's macro function (usually a dial or button)      
2. Point the lens at something close, like the camera right next to you
3. Get as close as possible until one part of the object fully fills the frame
4. Auto-focus by pressing the shutter button 1/2 way down
5. If the box in the center of the screen is RED, then let go of the button, back up about 1/2" and then refocus again.
6. Keep repeating step 5 until the box turns GREEN
7. Take the photo by pressing the shutter button all the way down
8. Before you move, take a look at how close the lens is to the object and make a note of it.
9. Review the photo for clarity by zooming in on the photo (usually done by pressing on the zoom feature when viewing a photo)

Product photography can be tricky especially if you have a product that has dimension and texture. Danger Peach is an awesome Seattle artist who creates wonderful artwork and jewelry designs that incorporate hand-embroidered details that she needed to show in her photographs.

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The only way to achieve sharp, clear photos of your small objects with your point-and-shoot camera is to use the macro setting on your camera. Look for a flower shaped icon on your control buttons or dials like this:

1. Point the center of your camera screen on the focal point of your photo
2. Depress the shutter button halfway to engage the auto-focus 
3. A box should appear and turn green when fully focused (if it's red, then move back slightly and re-focus until the box turns green)
4. Hold down the shutter button and re-frame the photo's composition by swiveling the camera into position on the same focal plane (Do NOT move the camera closer or farther away from the subject!)
5. When you are satisfied with the composition, press the shutter button all the way down

I spend a lot of time browsing around the pages of Etsy and every now and then I find a shop that stops me in my tracks and takes my breath away with an impressive combination of branding and photography. This is one of those shops:

gsakowskidesigns - Whimsical Romantic Wearable Fiber Art

Beautiful products showcased by elegant photography allows the shopper to concentrate on the textures and patterns of the work and not the dress form or background. Just stunning!

So tell us: Do you have a favorite Etsy shop or website that you admire for their photography? Leave a comment below and let us know!

1. Before: composition is nice, but the use of flash and a plain background didn't show off the item well enough to show the size or scale of the necklace.
2. After: A nice grouping of items illustrates that these are, indeed - pieces of cereal cast from real-life! The use of clever props and the slightly textured yet simple background are what draws your attention right away.

1. Before: Not enough light and shadowy reflections cast on the pendant results in a lifeless photo that doesn't adequately show that the piece is made with sterling silver.
2. After: Well balanced lighting, good variations in the highlights and low lights in the reflection along with the actual crackers in the photo as a background makes this photo a clear winner!

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First, a quick quiz:

Which photo was taken with a standard point-and-shoot camera and which was taken with a mid-range DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera?

Taking great photos is about much more than just the kind of camera you have. Many point-and-shoot cameras available on the market today are capable of taking wonderful photos. So, be sure you are using your current camera correctly with the proper settings, composition and lighting before you run out and spend hundreds of dollars on a new camera! 

The three most important settings to look for and learn how to use in a point-and-shoot:

 

Macro capability (tulip icon) 

 

EV / exposure value compensation (+ / -)

Custom white balance

Oh yes. I bet you're wondering about the answer to my question, right?

The top photo was taken with a Canon Rebel XSi DSLR with a 60mm macro lens and the bottom photo was taken with a Samsung S630 with the macro setting selected.

So tell us: What kind of camera do you have? Leave a comment and let us know!

• Here's a great post by Courtney Dirks of Meylah: What I've Learned from Taking Thousands of Product Shots
• Find some helpful photo editing tips here: Photographing Products and Objects via LearnBasicPhotography.com
• An argument *against* the "Rule of Thirds" by Jake Garn (I love this article...for so many reasons! Even if you don't like geometry, be sure you stick with it until the end - the photos are worth it.): The Tremendously Lazy Rule of Thirds

Occasionally I'll feature "before and after" photos from one of my Small Object Photography class participants and blog readers.

If you have some great before and after shots you'd like to share, feel free to email me your photos using this link: for a chance to be featured! (Maximum 4 photos per submission, please. Feel free to include information about your online shop and your before and after story as well!) 


My own Before and After story:
When I wanted to apply for high-end wholesale trade shows with my jewelry line, Marlo M. Jewelry Design (est. 1993) I quickly realized that I needed to learn how to take my own photos of my work. So, I took an entire year to learn how to take photos of my jewelry using a Nikon 35mm SLR (yes, the kind that uses actual *film*!).

In that year, I took classes and workshops, learned how to work with lighting, rented professional equipment and learned quite a bit about taking great photos with 35mm film by shooting many, many rolls of film! Here's one of the results of that effort:

A photo of my Seedling Bracelet using 35mm slide film

Flash forward about 14 years.

I opened up my first Etsy shop I was admittedly pretty lazy and just didn't take the time to take great photos of my work. It was as if all that previous knowledge of taking my own 35mm photos was nowhere to be found!

 Yes. I actually used this photo in one of my early listings in my shop! So embarrassing. :P

Then one day I decided to document one of my necklaces and have a little fun with it. I moved around a light or two and used some textured copper and brass to take this photo:

  Ahh....much better!

It was then that the proverbial "light bulb" went on in my head! I realized that having great photos is really an important part of selling online and I needed to take some time to retrain myself so I could represent my work in the best way possible.

So, I dusted off my memories of the things I learned about product photography all those years ago, did a lot of research, even more experimenting and now my photos are much, much better! 

 

Even more refined with better lighting and composition :)

Tell us: When did you realize that taking better photos was going to be important for your online shop?

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Lighting small objects doesn't always mean a complicated setup or light coming in from every direction.

Shadows tell our eyes that an object is 3-dimensional. To preserve the 3D perspective of your pieces, try lighting your object from one direction only - bouncing just a little bit of light back using a bright white piece of paper or foam board like this super-simple set up by 0olong I found on Flickr.com:

tiny studio by 0olong via Flickr What kind of light / lightbox setup do you use? Leave a comment and let us know! Like this? Read more Indie Business tips at my other blog: http://CreativeArtsConsulting.com/blog

Welcome to 2011! SmallObjectPhotography.com is here to give you some great tips, tricks and inspiration to help you improve your small object product photography!

This year there will be posts featuring:

• Great small object product photography - find inspiration for your online shop
• Technical tips to help you better understand your camera and your studio setup
• Before and After photos from Small Object Photography students and readers (Send me your photos for a chance to be featured!)
• Information about equipment and how to set up a studio including budget options
• Photography product, tools and website reviews
• And lots more!

Etsy treasury by 88editions