On taking shawl pictures

[alias]

I've knit a few shawls from the 'Victorian Lace Today' book (which I love) - but I have a problem.








I can't seem to take photos of them which show off both the patterns and the colours in the yarn as well as they deserve. Any suggestions for taking better pictures?

Comments

[cogknition]

Lovely! Thanks for sharing.

As for the pictures, I've been told that taking photos outside in the later afternoon gives the best lighting for photos.

[hyperbole]

Those are gorgeous!

I'm currently trying to learn good ways to photograph things too. =) Judging from what I see on Ravelry, a lot of people take their photos outside and draped in shiny ways. Maybe try draping the shawls over something in a contrasting colour that might shine through to show the pattern?

[nonethefewer]

They are all gorgeous, but that last one is absolutely stunning.  Nicely done!

[apis_mellifera]

I generally take close-up pictures while the items are blocking in addition to pictures of the item after it's done blocking and free of pins & wires. Natural light is a bonus, definitely.

[ladyqkat]

Very pretty. I adore the green one.

When I read the first sentence, however, my brain parsed "Victorian" as "Vulcan". I guess I am somewhat excited about the new ST movie.

[houseelf]

These are beautiful, especially the cream colored one.

[beckyzoole]

They are all gorgeous; I love the pattern on the cream one!

I've seen some great outdoor photos of shawls, worn by someone dressed all in black or white, where the wearer's back is to the camera and their arms are spread out so the sunlight shines through the shawl. It's a good way to show off the pattern. It looks even better if the model is moving a little asymmetrically and the wind is blowing.

[astro_noms]

I ran into a similar problem with my latest shawl--no roommates around to help with the holding of the shawl or taking pictures, so I used a blank wall in an empty room in the house to show off the stitches. Eventually I recruited my roommate to help out a bit but only got one useable picture out of that. As people have said, taking pictures during blocking is helpful for showing off details, as well as draping the finished project against a contrasting background. Close-up pictures are the best for details. Taking your projects outside is great, too--if you can get someone to help you out, you could shoot up from below the project, silhouetting it against the sky or something, to show off the detail.