Photographing your Fibre Art - DIY Tips

March 31, 2021 0 Comments

Crafting handmade macrame art requires skill, patience & know how. Learning these techniques is the fun and fabulous part, and through a variety of macrame tutorials and patterns, you will become confident.. fast! As a macrame artist, you are blessed with the talent to create intricate and unique handmade art pieces however, when it comes to promoting your works of art it can be daunting. If you aren't confident about promoting your self online, you aren't the only one struggling with this. There are many artists out there who don't know how to promote their art on the internet, especially social media platforms such as Instagram, Pinterest of Facebook.. all which are heavily image focused. So here we have a few tips to get started creating a visual presence online with the most important element- product photography. 

When it comes to creating visually interesting images for the internet, you need to create content that captivates your target audience. You need to make your images stand out so they have the urgency to either engage with them.. or better yet- or purchase. There is great power in powerful imagery, this is why big brands spend thousands, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars on them. Images create a visual energy that your customer feels. Not sure how to start? Where or why? If you are unsure about product photography, you will need to sharpen up your skills so that your art gets the attention it deserves. Whether it is a wall hanging or any other home décor item, with one eye-catching photograph, it's possible you can get all the popularity (and sales) that you dream of!

Let's have a look at a few simple photography tips and tricks you can use to get your Bohemian décor into the spotlight:

Choose Your Equipment
A common misconception, your iPhone does the trick! You don't need a high-end DSLRs to capture picture-perfect photographs. Your trusty iPhone works just as well- and better than that- its always with you so you can hone your skills where you are. The complexity of todays modern iPhones see many high profile photographers using these when time is limited.
Instead of investing in pro-level gear, you can consider investing in the following:
Clip-on light meters.
This will help you keep track of illumination and double up as a flash for extra light if you need to brighten up an area, of if shadows fall on your fibre art.
Tripod:
To ensure your camera is steady and level. Utilise the grid setting on your phone to ensure this.. no'one likes to tilt their head!
Remote Timer:
This handy little tool will enable you direct your own shots, firing the camera from meters away.
Reflectors.
These are a must have in your tool box. Used to 'bounce' light into darker areas of you room where shadows form. You can also use a simple white sheet or piece of cardboard for this (i wont tell!)
I use a simple piece of white board as mine.. and often as a backdrop!

A tip to remember is the best zoom is.... your legs!
Don't use your cameras zoom (especially if you are using a iPhone) Walk in! This avoids the possibility of image destruction, camera blur and the loss of quality that a cropped image can create. 

Experiment with Styling
Don't stick to what's popular because every fibre artwork will demand a different manner of styling due to the complexities in its structure and focal point. So how to style macrame art? The trick is to experiment. 
My two favourites.. plants and people!
Plants soften the space and provide your customers with a lovely homely feeling. They energise your image, bring a pop colour and act bring a wanted elegance to the image. Using people in your work not only creates an emotional connection but they are great to show scale. However we do list dimensions on all of our items, many can seem larger or smaller in 'real life' so popping a known sized object (like a person or chair) is great to get a sense of depth and scale. 

Flat-lay and Wall styled
Two popular styles for handmade creations are flat-lay and wall styling.
For the smaller macrame pieces, the flat-lay style meaning photographed from above, is favoured. Getting up close and personal helps capture intricate details, colours and texture. Its fun to add in known items into the image like used macrame cord, candles, coffee mugs, handbags... or my favourite, my hand!

Likewise, for larger pieces (such as wall hangings) most stick to the wall styling. It gives your customer a wider frame to capture the entire work of art while giving viewers a glimpse of what it would look like styled in their own home.
The objective of your product photography is allow the customer to see and feel what the piece would look like in their world. If we do this well... we may just get a sale! 

Enhancing your Artwork using props
Do you feel that the work of art looks stunning in reality but pale in the photograph? Here is where you get creative, You will need to add in some props to enhance the overall look. Using simple props such as flowers, tall vases, loose cotton strings, or simply contrasting fabric can help you achieve the final look you wish to capture.
We need to remember that your customers are most probably very much like you... Things that you have lying around your home will be things they too identify with and will draw them into the image. Create a story with your props, people love to be taken on a journey via beautiful imagery.

Shoot in Natural Light
Nothing beats natural light. It brings out the unique features in your macrame art without being too overbearing or flashy. The best part? It's freely available! Simply choose to shoot in the light filtering through your windows, and you're good to go. If you feel the light is a bit too over the top, try blocking some of it with curtains or boards. You will need to look at where the best light is in your home- and it may not be where you expect! The best light in my home is my kitchen bench, closely followed by the laundry! Track what time the light is best, prepare everything early, the day before even if you can and wait for that light to show. 
A misconception here is that we need bright, bold & direct light. This is a no no! 
This harsh light creates shadows and glare which is a nightmare to edit out. A nice subtle light that enters from a window is perfect, and will be able to get all year round. 
A good thing to remember is to have the light hitting your back when shooting. You do not want to be pointing your camera into the sun (glare and over exposed) you wish for a nice tailored, ambient light for the perfect shot. 

Focus on Perspective and Angles
 You wish for your Macrame Art to be shown as close to 'real life' as possible. Taking your images from eye level is advised, and ensuring that you have straight edges in your image. If you are shooting in a room choose a structural feature- it may the corner of a wall, brick work or window. Use this line to frame your work and ensure that it is at 90 degrees either up-or-across. A crooked photo can be very odd to look at, this can detract from your beautiful creation.

Add Final Post-Processing Touches
If you want wide recognition for your artwork, you need to be ready to take it a notch higher, too. This is where editing software comes into the picture. You can opt for post-processing software such as SnapSeed, Adobe Lightroom, or the Moment app. Each of these offers the best editing features and is super easy to understand and use, too. All in all, they are perfect for beginners.
My favourite tool on each of them when learning.. the 'undo' function!
You cant go wrong!

You're ready to go!
We hope we have got you all motivated to try out these super simple yet effective tips for your upcoming artworks. 
Let me know your thoughts, i would love to hear how this helped you xx

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