In my upcoming knitting patterns, I'm going to have to do a lot of photography. Not because the techniques are tough, but because I want beginners to be able to make them too. Today I'm going to share some steps to help you take awesome step-by-step pictures using your iPhone!
Please note: I realize that you'll need a better camera than an iPhone if you want to take pictures for a book, but these tips are great to apply to your blog tutorials or PDF patterns on Ravelry if you don't have a better camera.
Here's how to set up your space:
1. Find a window (preferably facing west)
We're going to make use of natural light and milk it for all it's worth. Find a nice big window in your house, throw back the curtains and snap away.
Also, if your window is facing west, you can take pictures using morning light. You don't want your light to be really harsh and direct. In the morning, a westward facing window will provide the very best light.
If you don't have a westward facing window, you'll want to wait for a time of day that the sun isn't directly blazing down through the glass.
2. Make a lightbox.
Ooooh that sounds really expensive. Well, I've got news for you - it costs like 2 bucks. Go to the dollar store and buy two things: A piece of foam core and a roll of duck tape (some dollar stores don't have foam core... if your's doesn't, check a craft store). Then, cut three pieces out of the foam core:
8 1/2 x 11 inches X2
8 1/2 x 8 1/12 inches X1
Then, tape them together so they look something like this (that patterned duck tape though!):
Now, slip a piece of cardstock or computer paper underneath your light box, place it so the open side faces the window, and boom! Lightbox created! You'll be taking your pictures from up above the lightbox.
The great part about this lightbox is that you can insert whatever background you want! You can use patterned paper or set it outside on top of concrete or wood.
Here's an example of a picture taken with my iphone using this lightbox:
Pretty nice, right?
If you take your pictures in square mode, you'll be able to tell if your subject in centered in the picture. Plus, this just makes editing a ton easier!
All right, now that you have your set-up created, it's time to focus on how to photograph and explain most effectively:
1. Write the steps.
Before you begin, write down all the steps, movement by movement. Scribble all over your notebook page with little tips you've discovered while working this technique. Everything you've learned will be able to help someone else, so make note of all these things!
Then, group them into sets of what can be explained using one picture. Once you've rambled all over your page about everything someone could possibly need to know about this technique, strip it down to single, simple, concise steps, each step being represented by one picture.
2. Photograph these steps and put them in a collage.
Using your lightbox, snap pictures of the steps your wrote about. I would suggest using larger yarn & needles than the pattern calls for so your readers can really see clearly what you're doing.
Once you have all of your square pictures, head over to Pic Monkey to put all of them into a collage. You can skip this step if you want, but for document designing, I find it's very helpful to combine all of these pictures into one file (so your PDF isn't like 50 pages long). If you're using this tutorial for a blog post, I'd keep the pictures separate.
If you choose to make a collage, I'd also recommend editing numbers onto each one of the pictures. This way, you can number the steps below the picture and people will be able to connect each step to it's coordinating picture easily.
3. Add words to guide people through.
On that note, you're going to want to add words for each one of your steps. Use all of that content you wrote earlier to explain each step using as few words as possible. Write as if you're speaking to someone across the table from you.
If your pattern is do-able for a beginner, I'd suggest having a beginner friend give it a shot before publishing! Pay attention to where they get stuck, and go back and clarify those sections.
This week, I'm going to be writing an extra blog post on a free a crochet pattern for a braided headband/earwarmer. I'll be utilizing these tips to help explain the crochet & braiding steps. My goal is to get all of you knitters out there to be able to make it! Be on the lookout for that!
Until then,
Grace
