braided key chains ,a book mark, and another bracelet

[rawhide1]

Here's some braided key chains ,a book mark, and another bracelet I apologize if the pictures ain't that good. But I didn't want to wait on my wife to take them. Any thoughts on how I can do better would be appreciated. Thanks Mike

[pepin1948]

Pics look good to me as far as lighting goes - but you might want a different background than sofa cushions. I lay my stuff usually on a contrasting background, like you, but something flat and usually at desk or table level. I've been known to put it on the floor if it's something large and I need more distance between me and the item. But flat is good.

[rawhide1]

Here's a picture that didn't load? I think I had to many bites of one kind or another. Another keychain. Mike

[Jordan]

There is a tutorial somewhere on the site (is a link) to make a light box, basically a cardboard box with sides and top cut out, openings covered with tracing paper to difuse the light from a couple of shop lights, made one in about 20 min. worked great and the price was right.

[Beaverslayer]

Very nice looking Mike. How long does it take you to make one of those?

Ken

[Romey]

Very nice stuff!!

Here is a simple light box, A light tent will work fine ,like a white bed sheet. Many things will work a s a light diffuser , its the right bulbs and photo editing that makes a quality photo though.

Notice "daylight" Bulbs. I often get good photos fromJust going outside at about 11 am. Tossing a bed sheet tent over the item im going to shoot and letting the sun be the light source as it DOES have the correct light spectrum. With the sun behind the item im going to shoot, item between camera and sun, one can get suprisingly good photos especially on a bright day..Makes editing alot easier to cause the light is more correct and natural. My 2 cents

Thanks to Sharp by Coop, a professional knife photographer for the set up and photograghy education.

Edited November 22, 2007 by Romey

[Romey]

Here is another cheap light set up. The use of mirrors and reflectors can be used to direct and add emotion to a photography or simply bring light to a area that the lamps arent hittting as well as take shadows out of a shot. Personally I beleive anyone doing a craft like leather work, knifemaking jewlery making will benenfit greatly from high quality photos of work,especially in a detail craft like leather work. Even though my photos are far from professional yet I notice a larger amount of customer requests when I got a decent camera (200$ is allbut options i needed) and took more care in my photography skills.

[rawhide1]

I would like to thank everyone for their remarks and advice. I'll have to try using the lighting techniques.

Beaverslayer I'm kind a slow at it but it takes me about 2 hrs for the key fobs and the bracelets I've shown take anywhere from 6 to 8 hrs depending on the #and length of knots. So maybe damn slow would be a better description.ha!ha! Once again Thanks Mike

[Knotnutz]

I've not introd'ed myself yet, but, here is a great lightbox setup - and even less expensive than the one noted earlier.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=281524

[HorsehairBraider]

Hi Rawhide1 - nice work!

This is what I can contribute as far as ideas. It looks like you used tail hair for your tassels. I can tell you that mane hair is nicer for these and feels better. If you live near a barn with horses you can usually get bit of mane hair for free, because they have to cut bridle paths on the horses from time to time. I sometimes let my driving horses go all winter (for it is hard to drive short horses in the snow!) and have quite a bit I cut off in the spring. I generally let it just drop on the ground and would gladly give it to anyone who wanted it. (There is absolutely TONS of horsehair at my house so no need for me to save it!)

And Knotnutz, what a great idea for a light box! I love it!