more photo tweaking..

So, today I tweaked a little more with the photo studio set-up... I really want to achieve a consistent visual style, but it's proving to be somewhat elusive.

The quandary I have is that some of our pieces look great against a plain white backdrop, while others get lost in the sea of white...

I think I'm going to have to use both the brown paper and the white, and see how it goes in the shop...

For my money, I think this lamp works so much better on the white. 

I found using Levels in Photoshop to even out the tones, then using Adjust Brightness/Contrast to bump up the white worked really well.

What are your pro-tips for photography?

better...?

this one's by the front door...

And these are in the new photo booth setup... rotated and using the bounced light from the white wall next door...

Do let let me know what you think!

PS the lamp is up on the Etsy shop now. So swing by and have a look-see.

trick photography...

So my excellent photo studio set-up has changed... And I'm really struggling with my shots!

I had used some of the great ideas in this book by Heidi Adnum... 

I had a perfectly located window in my office, that had good light, not too strong, just right. It faced a vacant block, where a house had been demolished.

I was really happy with the results!

Then... the house next door was built, and a white wall has bounced SO MUCH backlight into my little studio that the photos just aren't working! 

Ho hum... I've tried near my south facing front door, which is kind of ok... 

Next try is to rotate the setup, and use the bounced light from the office window from a different direction... 

I'll keep you posted.

This blue lamp will be up on my shop soon... in the meantime, we have these soft dove grey ones available.

And by the way, any suggestions on shooting neon?? It is SO tricky! 

my #Instagram life...

Whoa... where did September go...? 

All of a sudden it's October, and I'm staring down the barrel of Christmas!

Was that meant to happen? Is it because I finally joined the time-vortex of Instagram...?

I have however been enjoying some sublime weather, heading back to our local beach for some rockpool action. The water is still just a little chilled for swimming!

I think I may also be developing a slight obsession with orange... 

I'm sure this will be fine though, as it's getting warmer here in the southern hemisphere!

AND I'm developing my biceps! Again, with summer on the way I'm kind of thinking this is probably another "good thing"...

The culprits are these rubber baskets I've been crocheting. I make them from up-cycled bicycle inner tubes, and crochet them into small and large baskets. You can buy one of you like! They are on my Etsy shop!

Or you could even convo me (via Etsy) for a special size. 

My biceps will thank you for their buffness...