I just love photos.
Photos are one thing that should be completely personal to you, everyone has different likes and dislikes, loves and hates, but for me, it is all about crisp, clean images - that are not over edited.
This post is focusing on blog photos of products, but some can be applied to all other photography.
I have no big beef with editing, at all, but I just cannot do it to save myself. Something about it scares me, the white balance mainly. The ability for it all to go so so wrong, terrifies me. So to combat this irrational fear, I have become pretty darn nifty at taking pretty photos without editing. *YAY*
So if you, like me, suck at editing, or just want to up your photography game (Because having a good photo to edit is WAY easier to deal with) here are my top tips.
1. Space
Finding a space in your house can often be tricky. But the general rule is by the window. You want as much direct light as possible to land on your space for as much of the day as possible. Even if this means moving about your whole room - just do it. It is worth it. Both my spaces are right next to a window, one is on the windowsill (next to the bin and recycling #glamlife)
2. Lighting
Without editing this is the most problematic of areas, but so worth the effort to get right, as no amount of editing can beat decent lighting. The issue is, that there is only a very fine line - or a sweet spot, between too dark - and too bright. I have found the best way to figure this out is just through trial and error. Ideally what you are looking for is no bright direct sunlight (shadows), but it still needs to be blue skies if possible, and overcast preferably. No big thunderstorms or rain clouds. All of a sudden you are natures bitch. I found about 11-2 to be the best timing, regardless of seasons. The easiest way to tell if the lighting is right is to compare the white in the photo to the actual colour white. If it looks grey or blue, it's too dark.
3. Light Box
I don't ever think a light box can be used instead of natural sunlight, but it just helps to add a little more light - while using natural light too. It really does help to boost the photos that little bit more. It has been a saviour this winter for me. I still take my photos at 11-2, but this just helps to brighten from every angle and brighten the wall behind my photos. It's trial and error on positioning, but once you have it sussed there is no going back.
4. Good Camera, with Options
Investing in a good camera is always a good idea if you have the budget available. I did a full post on it
here. Having the ability to play around with the brightness settings then and there - instead of just editing afterwards is ideal. Brightness can also be adjusted on the iPhone.
5. Placement
Realising things like your angle, what is in the background, what is being focused on, any slight imperfections, you need to deal with then and there, so have a good look at the photo, take a few in portrait, and a few landscape, move the items around a bit, and play with the focus options, have fun with it.
6. Plan in Advance
Organise what pictures you are going to need and for when. This is the one people seem to trip up on, then end up having to settle for the light they have, which typically isn't the best. I make sure I have enough pictures on the camera roll for at least 5 posts, then I take stock photos - ones which I can use for generic posts as a backup. This means I never need to settle for bad lighting.
7. Take Lots of Photos.
No such thing as taking too many photos, especially from different angles, different positioning different distance, give yourself a lot of options to choose from because you might not be sure of the one you thought you would love! Also, don't be scared to re-do photos if you are not happy with them. I redid these photos for my Winter edit, and I am SO glad I did.
Other than using these tips the only "Editing" I do is I will sometimes up the brightness the tiniest bit, then maybe up the contrast a teeny bit too, but thats it - if anything. Even now I have lightroom I am still doing the same - old habits die hard I suppose!
What are your top tips for blog photography? Do you ever minimal edit? Let me know in the comments, I would love to know!
*These items were sent to me for review, but has in no way altered my opinion on them, and all words are my own, unless stated otherwise (usually in quotes!)
Links used may be affiliated, cause Erin gotta fund her makeup obsession! This doesn't affect at all what I promote, it simply means if you choose to purchase through the link, I get a small thank you from the retailer for sending you their way. This won't cost you any more money, and won't affect your shopping experience, and if you are not comfortable with this, just google the item instead :)
