Showing your quilts - Getting the best picture

Part three of a four part series about entering quilt shows, the jurying and judging process. This series is based on my experiences at quilt shows and classes I’ve taken about the quilt judging process.

Next to good workmanship and striking design, it’s a great picture that will help your work get noticed and accepted to the quilt show. When you’re ready to take that picture, there are a couple of different ways to go depending on your time, budget and interests. First, consider hiring a professional. Professional photographers know how to get a great picture, with true color and balanced lighting, and they have the right equipment to get the job done. However, do look for someone who specializes in art photography as opposed to portraiture or nature scenes, as there is a huge difference in technique, setup and lighting. Be sure to ask for digitals of the photos, so that you can use them as you wish later as well.

If you choose to use a professional photographer, be sure that you relay your deadline to them…

If you choose to use a professional photographer, be sure that you relay your deadline to them, and that they understand it’s importance. There is nothing more frustrating than getting the quilt done, and missing the entry deadline because of a photography problem. You might decide to take the photos yourself to prevent this kind of mishap, and have complete control over the output and rights to the photos of your work.

Taking the photographs yourself can be costly in terms of initial setup and time spent learning. At a minimum, you’ll need a 5 megapixel camera, a tripod, a quilt stand and some good portable lighting. A temporary studio area is also a must, so look for a large empty space where you can control the lighting. I used to use my basement room, because it’s fairly long so I could get the camera far enough away from the quilt and at one time it was nearly empty. I could close the outside window shades and all the doors, and control the lighting completely, so it was perfect. I’ve also borrowed rooms in community centers for the day when I had bigger quilts that required correspondingly larger spaces for photography.

You can take photos outside for good natural lighting, however waiting for the perfect non-windy, slightly overcast or not too bright day could cause you to miss that deadline as well. I’ve taken photos for shows outside, and had it come to near disaster from even the slightest breeze as the quilt stand topples into the grass! Read the rest of this entry »

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