Amateur Photography

8 March 2017

With an old bed sheet!

Which I did iron - promise - but you can still see a few creases.


Photography is the bane of my artistic life. I really struggle to take decent photographs of my work. But I had to take a passable photo of a lampshade for an Open Studio application and so needed to try and crack it. 


My current studio is a conservatory off my bedroom. It is a lovely space (although a bit too cold and unwelcoming in the middle of winter to venture in there on a dark evening when the sofa just looks too cosy). It is a lovely size. I might even take a photo for you since it is currently looking reasonably tidy- because I am usually such a messy worker! And one by product of the photo shoot was that I had to tidy up and consequently currently have a tidy space (well, relatively!).


If the sun is not blaring down, the conservatory has good natural daylight and this was what I wanted to capture for my little photo session. 

But no blank walls, hence the white sheet rigged up to create a back drop. 





Overall, I am quite pleased. Certainly the best photos of lampshades I have ever managed. But I don't think the white sheet really cuts the mustard. I just could not get those creases out. Perhaps I need to invest in some sort of 'white box' or roll of white nylon. 

How do other people manage to take decent photos?

8 comments

  1. A tip that I was given is to photograph small items in the bath - if it is white, as the light is reflected evenly. Not sure if your lampshades will be too big to do that though.

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    Replies
    1. Actually that sounds like an idea. Except the bath is a rather mucky mushroom colour! And I think the lampshades would be too big. I wonder if it would work in the shower? But in principle, and for smaller pieces of work, a brilliant idea.

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  2. I hate the photography bit too! I have a small 500 tent box thing which helps a lot as it came with the lamps too. When we had to do some shots of our stuff for Farnborough last year the girls bought a bigger one with better lights which I have now too. They also bought a sheet of white polypropylene 0.8mm thick 1100x650 mm size to use as the floor and backdrop. It doesn't crease as stays white.

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  3. Wrinkled backdrop aside, I DO think these are excellent shots of the lamps. I like the idea of shooting in the bathtub or shower enclosure but like you, mine is not a very attractive yellowish white and the lighting in there is even worse than other places in my house. You might think about felt or that plush flannel that some people use to back kids' quilt - the name escapes me at the moment - as either one resists wrinkling.

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    Replies
    1. Well thank you. The bathtub sounds a fab idea - except mine is a rather unfortunate cream colour! And I think the lamps would be too big. White felt is a good idea too.

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  4. Lovely shades, I've got about 10 I really must cover with the stash I have plenty of! I use my greenhouse to photograph in & try to blur the background........

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    Replies
    1. A green house sounds a good idea. Some people use a garden. I could try my front garden - a high hedge and a gravel so might make a good backdrop.

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