Sunday, April 27, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Wendy's World Art
I thought it would be interesting to get the perspective of graphic designers for insight into what inspires the artists that work to make your website a cohesive storefront to showcase your product. I am pleased to introduce you to Wendy Sternschein, a designer I have been lucky enough to work with in M2Minc. So, without further ado... meet Wendy!
At what point did you think you'd like to do web graphics professionally?
I have been selling my graphics for about a year. I get many recommendations and custom orders through word of mouth, ebay listings, my website, etc so I guess you can say I take it pretty seriously- although I do it for fun too.
What software programs do you use in creating your graphics?
I only use PSP 9 (paint shop pro)..I have photoshop, but honestly, I prefer PSP.
What is your favorite thing to graphically design?
My favorite is character illustrations. I love anything girly too.
Wendy's bio:
Hello I am Wendy, the designer behind the artwork of wendysworldart. I am a stockbroker turned entrepreneur and now that I am home with my two toddlers, I am able to really focus on my very first passion, painting! I love creating unique and whimsical illustrations for children-anything from princesses and fairies to poodles in Paris and Nautical themes. I also enjoy designing unique hair accessories for not just infants and toddlers, but even trendy moms!!!
~Kirsten
How did you become interested in web graphics?
I love art, and once I understood the ins and outs of my photo editor, I started using my artwork as graphics. I gradually learned through a lot of practice, how to mouse draw the graphics as well.
I love art, and once I understood the ins and outs of my photo editor, I started using my artwork as graphics. I gradually learned through a lot of practice, how to mouse draw the graphics as well.
At what point did you think you'd like to do web graphics professionally?
I have been selling my graphics for about a year. I get many recommendations and custom orders through word of mouth, ebay listings, my website, etc so I guess you can say I take it pretty seriously- although I do it for fun too.
What software programs do you use in creating your graphics?
I only use PSP 9 (paint shop pro)..I have photoshop, but honestly, I prefer PSP.
What is your favorite photo editing software?
Same as above- ha isn't it the same? Who knows?
Same as above- ha isn't it the same? Who knows?
What is your favorite thing to graphically design?
My favorite is character illustrations. I love anything girly too.
Do you have any graphics pet peeves?
When I work so hard on an illustration and it doesn't sell. Other than that, not really. I truly enjoy it.
When I work so hard on an illustration and it doesn't sell. Other than that, not really. I truly enjoy it.
What do you hope to accomplish this year with your business?
Grow grow grow. There are alot of graphic artists out there who use "other people's" artwork, including background tiles. I just have to stay competitive and market myself, and of course stay true to my passion. I love designing most things, but it is even better when you can sit and design.
Grow grow grow. There are alot of graphic artists out there who use "other people's" artwork, including background tiles. I just have to stay competitive and market myself, and of course stay true to my passion. I love designing most things, but it is even better when you can sit and design.
Do you have any advice for someone just starting a new e-commerce website?
Do your research. I have had friends who spent ALOT of money on websites, and in the end it never went public because the web designer flaked. It is really sad. Make sure you get some one reputable. You don't have to spend a zillion dollars to get a pretty website. Just do your research and you will find someone who is talented in this business who will not charge you an arm and a leg.
Do your research. I have had friends who spent ALOT of money on websites, and in the end it never went public because the web designer flaked. It is really sad. Make sure you get some one reputable. You don't have to spend a zillion dollars to get a pretty website. Just do your research and you will find someone who is talented in this business who will not charge you an arm and a leg.
Wendy's bio:
Hello I am Wendy, the designer behind the artwork of wendysworldart. I am a stockbroker turned entrepreneur and now that I am home with my two toddlers, I am able to really focus on my very first passion, painting! I love creating unique and whimsical illustrations for children-anything from princesses and fairies to poodles in Paris and Nautical themes. I also enjoy designing unique hair accessories for not just infants and toddlers, but even trendy moms!!!
You can find most of my artwork at http://www.wendysworldart.com/ as well as many upscale online retail stores. Thanks so much for getting to know a bit about me!
Here are just a few of Wendy's many beautiful designs. Be sure to check her out for artwork to enhance your product line on the world wide web!!
~KirstenSunday, April 6, 2008
Tutorial - Corel PSPX2
This is my first video attempt ever :-)
Next video tutorial I create, I'll be sure to ZOOM in!!!
Anyway, I hope this simple tutorial helps you to fancy up your images. If you can't be bothered, be sure to send them over to me... I love to fancy up pictures!!
~Kirsten
Lighting
The type of lighting you use plays a big part in how well your product pictures will look. One of the most important things, no matter the lighting you choose, is that it be indirect. Direct lighting casts shadows. So find a way to filter the light that is illuminating your item.
I took some pictures using a variety of lightbulbs. All of these were lighting the item through a photobox, like the one I showed from Walmart.
I took some pictures using a variety of lightbulbs. All of these were lighting the item through a photobox, like the one I showed from Walmart.
White typing paper. Unedited photos.
Filtering the light makes such a difference! Now the process of editing will be so much easier, because you have a good start already. :-)
~Kirsten
Thursday, March 6, 2008
photo box
There might come a time when it is a cloudy day, and you need to get pictures taken. Or maybe you are not free to photograph during the day, and need to get good pictures at night after the kids are in bed. A tabletop photo "studio" is something to consider.
Professional set ups can cost into the thousands. Average price for photo studio and lamps? $800. There are alternatives though, and if you can do simple edits in your software, then consider this setup: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8144811
My Walmart store sells something a bit different, and it costs approximately $45. I couldn't find it on their website, but that link is close enough. It comes with the lights, mini-tripod, and two back drops. And it is easily tucked away when not in use.
Or... Feeling crafty and thrifty? Make it yourself! Here is an excellent example: http://www.strobist.blogspot.com
Have fun and happy picture taking!
~Kirsten
Professional set ups can cost into the thousands. Average price for photo studio and lamps? $800. There are alternatives though, and if you can do simple edits in your software, then consider this setup: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8144811
My Walmart store sells something a bit different, and it costs approximately $45. I couldn't find it on their website, but that link is close enough. It comes with the lights, mini-tripod, and two back drops. And it is easily tucked away when not in use.
Or... Feeling crafty and thrifty? Make it yourself! Here is an excellent example: http://www.strobist.blogspot.com
Have fun and happy picture taking!
~Kirsten
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
The Fairies Nest
Once a week or so, I will be posting interviews with various online sellers. I am excited to begin with this interview with Cynthia of The Fairies Nest! She photographs her product in indirect sunlight, and uses Picasa as her image editor. Enjoy getting to know a bit about her!
How long you have been selling on the internet? I've been actively selling online for just a little over a year. Before that I only sold through galleries and shows.
What camera do you use to photograph your product? What do you like about this camera? I have a Canon Powershot A520 that I got in 2006. I had never owned a digital camera before so I was really starting from scratch and learning by doing! I love that I can plug it in and load my pictures on to the computer so easily.
Describe your process for taking pictures of your product. What photo set up do you use?
(Okay here's where I show you how little I know about cameras, so try not to laugh!) I try to shoot outside in natural light as much as possible. So here's my fancy setup. I have a sheet of white posterboard that I use for a back drop. I place it on a table in a bright spot but NOT in direct sunlight and lean it up against the house. I usually do this on the front porch of my house, which faces west, at about 11:00 in the morning (although I have been known to use the dining room table, a pillow, and a sunny window inside if it's frigid out! ) I then set my camera on macro, make sure the flash is off and zoom in to where the doll is close but still in focus.Then I take LOTS of pictures from all different angles! That way I'm sure to get a few decent shots.
What is the photo editing software you use most often? I use Picasa2 and I have to say that besides being free, which for a starving artist is really cool, it does what I need. I can crop, adjust light and color, sharpen, and straighten up those shots where I seem to be leaning into the wind...how Does that happen?
Name: Cynthia Toy 
Bio: I am a cloth doll artist, mother of three young men, avid reader, crazy cat lady, wife, corgi owner, believer in fairies, organic gardener, and compulsive fiber collector.
How long you have been selling on the internet? I've been actively selling online for just a little over a year. Before that I only sold through galleries and shows.
What camera do you use to photograph your product? What do you like about this camera? I have a Canon Powershot A520 that I got in 2006. I had never owned a digital camera before so I was really starting from scratch and learning by doing! I love that I can plug it in and load my pictures on to the computer so easily.
Describe your process for taking pictures of your product. What photo set up do you use?
(Okay here's where I show you how little I know about cameras, so try not to laugh!) I try to shoot outside in natural light as much as possible. So here's my fancy setup. I have a sheet of white posterboard that I use for a back drop. I place it on a table in a bright spot but NOT in direct sunlight and lean it up against the house. I usually do this on the front porch of my house, which faces west, at about 11:00 in the morning (although I have been known to use the dining room table, a pillow, and a sunny window inside if it's frigid out! ) I then set my camera on macro, make sure the flash is off and zoom in to where the doll is close but still in focus.Then I take LOTS of pictures from all different angles! That way I'm sure to get a few decent shots.
What is the photo editing software you use most often? I use Picasa2 and I have to say that besides being free, which for a starving artist is really cool, it does what I need. I can crop, adjust light and color, sharpen, and straighten up those shots where I seem to be leaning into the wind...how Does that happen?
What do you like best about this software? Did I mention it's free?! Seriously!
What are some of your struggles with product photography/editing? I wish I had a camera with picture stabilzation, fewer blurry shots in less optimal lighting situations.
What is your favorite thing about product photography/editing? I love being able to take an okay shot and turn it into something that really shows off my product. I've also recently gotten into more staging of my shots, adding a prop or shooting in a natural settting, and that can add some fun to the process.
What are some of your struggles with product photography/editing? I wish I had a camera with picture stabilzation, fewer blurry shots in less optimal lighting situations.
What is your favorite thing about product photography/editing? I love being able to take an okay shot and turn it into something that really shows off my product. I've also recently gotten into more staging of my shots, adding a prop or shooting in a natural settting, and that can add some fun to the process.
Do you have any product presentation tips you'd like to share? A problem I see a lot of people make is trying to get too close to their object. I use cropping when I edit to get more of a close up and that allows me to keep my dolls in focus. Blurry pictures are one of the biggest photo no nos I see on Etsy.
Thank you, Cynthia, for sharing with the OIS blog your experience! I asked Cynthia to send along a before and after shot so we could see what comes out of the camera, to what ends up being the final product photo. I think she has a good thing going!
Be sure to visit Cynthia's website and etsy shop to see more of her beautiful fairie folk.
~Kirsten
Thank you, Cynthia, for sharing with the OIS blog your experience! I asked Cynthia to send along a before and after shot so we could see what comes out of the camera, to what ends up being the final product photo. I think she has a good thing going!
Be sure to visit Cynthia's website and etsy shop to see more of her beautiful fairie folk.~Kirsten
Lighting for Free
Lighting. It is the most important aspect of product photography. You could have the fanciest camera, but if your lighting is incorrect, you will not get good results. Conversely, if you have good lighting, and a so-so camera, you will get surprisingly good photos!
Photo editing can repair some lighting errors, but not all. The heavier you need to correct with software, the greater your image quality will suffer.
So lets talk about lighting! The options are countless, so I would like to focus this blog post on a readily available lighting option. If we start looking at strobes, fixtures and gadgets, we will soon realize we could easily overspend! If photography is your hobby, or your livelihood, then those things are exciting. But this blog is for those selling a product, and needing to get good pictures for the internet. We're not professionals. So, lets spend our money on other things. We can get good pictures with inexpensive lighting.
In fact, the first light source we will discuss is FREE. Yep, that's right! Can you guess? :-)
The sun. It is the perfect lighting for product photos. It is what you do with that light that will make your photos good. Placing your product in sunlight and snapping pictures will most likely not yield good results. The light needs to be INDIRECT, filtered in some way. You want to avoid shadow. Covering pieces of cardboard with silver foil (of the kitchen variety) and positioning them at angles to your product will act as reflectors and help light your product from many angles.
Do you have a counter or table
top that gets good indirect light? Do some experimenting. Start with a white background (Typing paper, poster board, or for larger items, paper on a roll.) Position yourself so you are not casting a shadow. Position your reflectors. No flash. Macro.
A gradient background is helpful for objects that won't be well featured on a white background. It also has a professional look. You can get gradient paper at photo shops. In a future blog post I will talk more about backgrounds.
Another option using sunlight is to add artificial lighting. Doing so will cut down much of your photo editing. Later this week, I will blog about light bulbs. Halogen, LED, incandescent, florescent, warm, cool, high watt, low watt... Wading through the technicalities is confusing! Which is best for product photography, and how can I get the best result for the lowest cost? Later this week, I will tell you!
~Kirsten
Photo editing can repair some lighting errors, but not all. The heavier you need to correct with software, the greater your image quality will suffer.
So lets talk about lighting! The options are countless, so I would like to focus this blog post on a readily available lighting option. If we start looking at strobes, fixtures and gadgets, we will soon realize we could easily overspend! If photography is your hobby, or your livelihood, then those things are exciting. But this blog is for those selling a product, and needing to get good pictures for the internet. We're not professionals. So, lets spend our money on other things. We can get good pictures with inexpensive lighting.
In fact, the first light source we will discuss is FREE. Yep, that's right! Can you guess? :-)
The sun. It is the perfect lighting for product photos. It is what you do with that light that will make your photos good. Placing your product in sunlight and snapping pictures will most likely not yield good results. The light needs to be INDIRECT, filtered in some way. You want to avoid shadow. Covering pieces of cardboard with silver foil (of the kitchen variety) and positioning them at angles to your product will act as reflectors and help light your product from many angles.
Do you have a counter or table
top that gets good indirect light? Do some experimenting. Start with a white background (Typing paper, poster board, or for larger items, paper on a roll.) Position yourself so you are not casting a shadow. Position your reflectors. No flash. Macro.A gradient background is helpful for objects that won't be well featured on a white background. It also has a professional look. You can get gradient paper at photo shops. In a future blog post I will talk more about backgrounds.
Another option using sunlight is to add artificial lighting. Doing so will cut down much of your photo editing. Later this week, I will blog about light bulbs. Halogen, LED, incandescent, florescent, warm, cool, high watt, low watt... Wading through the technicalities is confusing! Which is best for product photography, and how can I get the best result for the lowest cost? Later this week, I will tell you!
~Kirsten
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