Photographing Arts, Crafts & Collectibles: Take Great Digital Photos for Portfolios, Documentation, or Selling on the Web (A Lark Photography Book) [Paperback]

Steve Meltzer (Author)

Book Description

Series: A Lark Photography Book | Publication Date: June 1, 2007

A classic reference enters the digital age! The long anticipated update of Steve Meltzer’s Photographing Your Craftwork is here—and finally artists have a guide that helps them produce high quality images of their work. Cutting through the jargon and hype around digital photography, Meltzer explains in plain language how digital cameras operate, and explores specific techniques for lighting and photographing jewelry, pottery, glass, installed art, stamps, coins, dolls, and other collectibles. Because a great portfolio and smart use of the internet are so important for professional success, there’s also advice on using such photo editing programs as Adobe™ Photoshop® and CorelPHOTO-PAINT Pro® to turn images into great photographic prints, exciting websites, eye-catching marketing materials, and submissions for exhibition jurying.

A Selection of the Crafter's Choice Book Club.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Steve Meltzer has written about the photography of artwork and crafts for over 30 years. He is the photography columnist for Crafts Report and Art Calendar magazines. His articles and columns have been reprinted internationally, and he has taught crafts photography workshops across the United States. As a working writer and photographer, Meltzer has photographed the work of hundreds of artists, and he brings this experience (and lots of these photographs) to his latest book. Beyond artwork, Meltzer writes and photographs general interest and travel feature pieces for a wide range of magazines and newspapers. The founder of the West Stock Photo Agency in Seattle, WA, his photographs have been exhibited in the US and Europe. Currently, his commercial images are sold worldwide on the web by a.g.e. fotostock, Corbis and Getty photo agencies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Pixiq (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157990906X
• ISBN-13: 978-1579909062
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for digital photographers, May 30, 2007

By 

Bess Heitner "Bess Heitner, jewelry designer" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Photographing Arts, Crafts & Collectibles: Take Great Digital Photos for Portfolios, Documentation, or Selling on the Web (A Lark Photography Book) (Paperback)

This gorgeous book is a must have for anyone who wants to use a digital camera to maximum effect. Not only are the pictures fabulous, but the instructions and explanations are so simple and straightforward that even someone like me can understand them. I can design beautiful jewelry, but I could never understand how to take a decent digital picture. Now I can. When I first launched my website, I was fortunate to find Steve Meltzer to take my pictures and I've used him exclusively ever since. The first thing people say is how great the photos are and nothing is more important than good photos. Steve is a great photographer, but also has the gift of explaining his craft in a way that anyone can understand. I highly recommend this book. I've already bought six copies and plan to give it as Christmas presents to all my friends who own digital cameras whether they're beginners or pros.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book For Digital Photography, June 28, 2007

By 

Ionly Wish "Chris" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Photographing Arts, Crafts & Collectibles: Take Great Digital Photos for Portfolios, Documentation, or Selling on the Web (A Lark Photography Book) (Paperback)

As I searched for books to learn more about how to use my digital camera and create the best photographs, I happened upon this gem of a book. It is a mixture of the art, the fun and the simple and complex information on digital photography. The illustrations and photographs are very helpful to understanding how to create the best digital photographs.
The very best thing about the book is that appeals to the beginner, the average user and to the professional. It also explains in a very clear and simple way the jargon and technical aspects of digital photography.
This is a great book for anyone who wants to learn how to use and get the best pictures or the person who wants to become a professional digital photographer.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an invaluable guide to taking better photographs, August 29, 2010

By 

Susan Bleiweiss "Sue b" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Photographing Arts, Crafts & Collectibles: Take Great Digital Photos for Portfolios, Documentation, or Selling on the Web (A Lark Photography Book) (Paperback)

As a professional fiber artist creating both 2 and 3d work I have been struggling for years to find a good resource to help me not only understand how my digital camera works but how to use it to take high quality pictures that I know it has the ability to. This book is a fantastic guide to taking photos of of artwork created in any medium whether it be jewelry, sculpture, wall art, fiber, glass or wood.

The book opens with a nice easy to read and understand overview of digital photography. Types of lenses and cameras are followed by an explanation of image types, aspect ratio's, focusing systems, white balance and more. The chapter on light and the digital studio covers everything from the fundamentals, color temperatures, direction and quality to types of light, light modifiers, measuring light and what color background to use when.

Then the book moves into how to set up and take your photographs with separate chapters for both two and three dimensional artwork. Artists who make 2 dimensional fiber art will find the section on lighting fabric as well as photographing quilts particularly helpful. The chapter on 3d objects covers ceramics, glass, sculptures, jewelry, wearable art and objects that light up. Learn the best way to light and photograph tall objects, short ones and pieces with shiny surfaces.

This book is an invaluable guide for any artist, no matter what medium they work in, who wants to take better photos for juried show submissions, their website, portfolios or brochures.