How to get a Good pic of quilt??? Help!

[JanFasano]

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you. I know everyone is busy today but I am running out of time with my problem.

How in the world do you get a good pic of a quilt? Yesterday I must have taken 50 pics of my IQ. I took pics outside not one bit of quilting showed up. Had the flash off. Took pics in house. Again not one bit of quilting showed. I quilted this blasted thing really heavy and can not get it to show up in my pic.

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

It is too bad we only get to submit One Pic. Not fair, you think?

I am so thankful today we have sunshine again. Will try again to get a good pic!! Good thing I am not using film. LOL.

[K. McEuen]

When you find out, let me know, okay? People always say how much nicer my quilts are in person. It's because I take crappy pictures!

[Sandy Navas]

I want to know, too - it can't all be up to the camera . . . or is it?

[JanFasano]

Geez, it that all you ladies have today??? ROFL----Not too much help. LOL. Miss* said to take large pics so they can see them. HA. If I take too large a pic they will not up-load.

What did you ladies do? What size pic did you send. I have my camera set on 640 X 480. Still can't get the quilting to show. UGH.

But I am thankful it is still sunny out. Got to try again today.

[Sewbee]

What did you ladies do? What size pic did you send. I have my camera set on 640 X 480. Still can't get the quilting to show. UGH.

MSQC said to send a large photo meaning a high resolution (pixels) photo. I don't believe that the submission page where you upload your photo will have any restrictions on file size like the forum does. You should set your camera resolution settings on the highest quality possible which is usually labeled as "Fine" or "High" quality. If your camera has a setting higher than 640 x 480 you should definitely use it. The more resolution, the more detail that will show in your photo. MSQC can then take your high resolution photo and downsize it to what they need for posting without losing any of the quality of your photo. Hope this helps!

[Sewbee]

Hi Jan. If you want your quilting stitches and texture of the quilt to show up...do not use a full frontal flash at all. The best way to show off all the "puffiness" and three-dimensional aspects of your quilting patterns is to take the photograph outdoors in either early morning or late afternoon natural sunlight, when the sun position is not up at high noon. Position the quilt so that the sun is coming in from either the left or right side of the quilt. You do not want the sun directly behind you or in front of you when you take the picture.

Natural outdoor sunlight from the side will give you the best chance of seeing your lovely quilt detail stitching! If you are using a digital camera you should check out a few of your photos without using any flash at all. If you feel like they are too dark or shadowy, or you have trouble keeping the quilt in focus without using a flash, then see if your camera has a Fill Flash setting. Fill Flash will supplement the sunlight but not overpower the natural light completely. A full strength flash taken in front of the quilt will flatten the appearance of the quilt details and will not show your quilt at its best.
Good luck!

I am still quilting and then will need to bind so I am keeping my fingers crossed for a sunny day on Saturday!

[Jean Sewing Machine]

Linda has great points to consider. I often take pictures in my dining room with the front door open, quilt on the floor. This works well to throw light across the face of the quilt that lets the quilting show up better. Of course this is difficult to do if you have a big quilt or a small area by the door. You can also use lamps shining from the side to show the dimension of the surface, but depending on the lamp, it may wash out the colors. We all want our quilts to show up like they do in magazines, but short of using a professional photographer, you can just do the best you can with home equipment. Good luck!

[Sewbee]

Jean, speaking of different sources of light "washing out" or changing the colors, I have never had so much trouble getting accurate color photos as I have with this Lovely fabric. In particular the purples can show up as pure royal blue or reddish purple depending on my light source. I like taking photos throughout the process of making a quilt and usually the color distortion is not a problem, but my sewing room has a combination of incandescent and fluorescent lighting plus some natural light from the windows. I am finding great variability in the colors being displayed in my photos that do not match up to the actual beautiful fabric.

Another reason I am hoping for a nice sunny Saturday so I can use just one source of light!

[JanFasano]

o.K. Linda, I re-read your post. Hummmm I live in WA state. (Sun at High Noon) you got to be kidding me. LOL. We have so many trees up here. I am lucky to see the sun. But I did take about 10 more pics. Yep, you are right. I need to put it in the shade somewhat for the stitches to show.

On my computer I can tweak the exposure. I have taken loads of pics of my quilts before and never had this problem. Wonder if it is in the colors of this fabric.

Many thanks for taking time to answer me with some very good suggestions. Happy Binding to you.

[JanFasano]

Oh Linda, thank you---thank you. I knew someone would come thru for me. I am not using a flash. Also have camera set on Scenery as can get the full quilt in the frame. I have a whole yard full of fence so can pick and choose where to hang this dumb quilt. Mercy, I was so sick of sewing and quilting on it---and now after taking 100's of pics. I am sure I am going to give it to someone as I am so tired of looking at it. LOL. But I do love the fabrics.

About the size of pic---my computer or my satilite connection has a difficult time up-loading pics. That is why I down-sized it. O.K. will try for a large deminsion.

Many thanks for each of your suggestions. The first ones really made me laugh today.

Now I know why I do NOT enter these contests. I just want to go sew and do more of Jenny's tutes.