This time I scaled it at 50%, for a 6" finished block. The pieces weren't too tiny, and my fabric was pretty much cut with perfect 1/2" seam/sewing allowances, so I was never in jeopardy of having gaps like before.
Love it!
So pleased I got this out of my system, I hate having niggles!
As anticipated, I was off work with a poorly girl today; spent most of it cleaning the house whilst she slept before and after a trip to the doctors and pharmacy. Now she's tanked up on anti-biotics, so we all might get a good night's sleep and feel better tomorrow.
As you asked/hinted so nicely, I will show you how I am getting my latest pictures of smaller items to look a little swankier. Although you could use Kerry's wonderful Photoshop tute, I am always up for a simpler option...
Place your objet d'art on a white background. I use the lid of an IKEA storage box, and place it in the brightest place you have; note that if it is really bright you will get shadows, but I think that still looks good...
Take your shots...
Load into the photo package on your computer. Now I use a MacBook Pro, and hence iPhoto; I have no experience of any other software, so substitute this as best as you can if you are of the PC persuasion.
iPhoto has a few cropping edge borders and blurring, I pick the one that white-outs the edges into a circle or oval; don't panic if it cuts into your object a little, you can remove it later...
Now you will be able to see how non-white your white bits are!
Here's where it can all go so right, (the ones you've seen), or so wrong!. Adjust the exposure of the picture until you can no longer see the edges...
Sometimes it will come out too over-exposed, but most of the time, if it was all pretty bright to start with, it will look cool!
Then crop to size and remove your edge whitening if it has affected the subject...
Nothing complicated, but it can look way more accomplished than it really is; and now I've gone and blown that illusion, doh!
Oh, and if you Pin this, I won't sue you! I will be flattered and take it in the spirit of what Pinterest is meant for, goddamit!
I love your circle of geese - you've definitely got this foundation piecing lark sussed! Very clever photo taking and altering - it looks great! I feel like Pinning it, just for the hell of it!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pinning permission, LOL. I had an email fom them that they'd been asked to remove one of my pins by the owner - I'm delighted if something of mine shows up there! The geese look fab! Thanks for the photo lesson, photoshop scares me as much as zips!
ReplyDeletePinned it, thank You very much! Your points on the circle look absolutely perfect! I'm so glad you re-maked the block, I know how it feels not to get it right for the first time. It just drives me NUTS! (Even though i would've not noticed the oopsies if you didn't have close-ups) :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Hadley! I am an appalling photographer and had no idea iPhoto could do this stuff. I just had a play around and I think it worked!
ReplyDeleteOh that was so useful - I just snap away on my slate topped kitchen table with the bad lighting and it is usually dreadful. The camera is great - the photographer awful. I am intending to improve this aspect of blogging. Glad little one is on the mend. xx
ReplyDeleteHope wee twinnie is better soon, sounds like you're gettin off lightly if she's sleepin the whole time! Love the mini geese circle :-)
ReplyDeleteI need a photoshop type program! Good sewing. Good photos. Hope your nursing skills are equally up to standard.
ReplyDeleteAh so that's how you've been working your magic! Cool! I've nothing so sophisticated on my tin bucket sadly! Hope you get a good nights sleep tonight. Jxo
ReplyDeleteOh you smart thing, you! And brave too, showing your circle of geese from behind :) Very impressive!
ReplyDeletethat there is a very impressive circle of geese!
ReplyDeleteI usually find if I make my white bits white then my other colours are off *sigh... Will have another go using that method. I have photoshop so I usually adjust the white balance.
hope twinnie is better soon!
Love your circle of geese - and the tutorial. Might just have to give it a go...
ReplyDeleteLove the flying Geese!! They do look better without all the gaps!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip on photo taking 101 =D
Love those flying geese and I will definitely see what iPhoto can do beyond the basic that I know! Di xo
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you flying geese in formation, with no spaces between them!! Very pretty! And your tute is great too! You should have been a teacher!♥
ReplyDeleteThe geese are gorgeous, you are such a perfectionist!! Guess that's why you're so good!!
ReplyDeleteTotally going to have awesome photos now (if I can be bothered!!) so thank you for shattering all my illusions ;)
I used to use Photoshop to both downsize my photos and zip the atmosphere up a bit. My 10 year old software was a bit cumbersome (however, it did install on the new laptop! (windows 7.0)). Nowadays, I use a free software by Canon called Zoombrowser that lets you rotate, adjust contrast, and crop. It works fast and generally gets the job done to add some zip to photos.
ReplyDeleteDitto on the white surface to reflect the light onto your object. I use two white foam boards near a window, using clamps to hold it upright and then take my photos.
I shall have to try the photo trick, and your geese are lovely! I am pretty tired of all the pinterest noise as well.
ReplyDeleteYour flying geese are all flying in a beautiful way, and your MacBook Pro iPhoto help will help me. Now just get that poorly feeling daughter in the wellness stage and life is great.
ReplyDeletei am going to pin the shit out of this! !!! thanks for not suing me! ;)
ReplyDeleteNothing I love more than the mini geese - block looks fab! Thanks for the tute, I will point it to the Oh as I am to lazy to edit my own photo's :)
ReplyDeleteYour flying geese look really pretty.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info on iPhoto, will have to try it.
Pleased to know you won't sue me for pinning any of your gorgeous work and tutorial. xxxx
Great block and great pics, thanks for the info.
ReplyDeletelovely geese hadley ... so crisp and fine.
ReplyDeleteeasiest lightbox in the world - laptop screen ...
cheapest lightbox in the world - clear storage box with lid
+ battery touch light/led light from 99p store inside box!
Yay, glad you got that the flock out of your system... ;o)
ReplyDeleteHope poorly twin and the rest of the family slept better last night!
Your geese block is brilliant! and I love your wee tutorial. I might even get my pictures looking professional!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your little one being sick and love your geese!
ReplyDeletegreat geese! I really need to try that....and thanks for the photo hint AND the LOL comment at the end.
ReplyDeleteI love the geese, they look so neat on both sides and the fabrics are lovely.
ReplyDeleteI hope your little one is much better already.
Love this tute, Hadley! And all your leaf key chains are lovely!
ReplyDelete