Photography Tips

Below are helpful tips to photograph your beading designs.

Minimum Camera Requirements:

To provide a high resolution photo that will best show your jewelry, we suggest that you use at least a 2 Megapixel digital camera or a 35mm film camera with 100 or 200 ISO speed film. Consult your camera’s manual to make sure you can meet these requirements.

Minimum Image Size, Minimum Print Size:

If you are using a digital camera, the photo file size should be at least 1800 pixels x 1200 pixels (2 Megapixels). If you are using 35mm film, the size of the color photo should be at least 8" x 10".

A Simple Method for Making Great Images:

You will need a white sheet, a contrasting background material or art board, a friend and your camera to make a simple "set" for your beaded creation.

1. Find an area in the sun.
2. Set your background material or art board on a flat surface.
3. Arrange your entry on the background.
4. Have someone hold the sheet so that it blocks direct sunlight from your bead work. You want good light, but not direct light.
5. Carefully focus your camera and take the photo.

A good image is usually a sharp image and sharpness comes from two things, a steady camera and good focus. The secret to good bead lighting is to turn off your camera’s flash and light from overhead.

Note: Your digital camera should be set on the highest quality image setting possible.

Note on close-ups: If you have trouble getting your camera to focus clearly on a small object, you may need to use the macro mode of your digital camera. (This mode is commonly designated by a flower symbol on your camera settings menu.) If your camera is a regular film camera, you may need to use a macro or "close-up" lens.