Thursday 31 January 2013

How to photograph a quilt and make it look pretty

Or not, as the case may be. I know that I will never be more than an amateur at this game.

Up against the wire, a quilt for a very special person is finished just in time. It sits squashed in a bag in rather rumpled folds for a day or so. I roll it up and tie on a bow.

Pretty picture

Oops - I remember just in time that I must take a photo. The camera batteries are flat, clouds are threatening, gales blowing (why does the wind always get up when I go outside to take a photo?).

The Head Chef is also an amateur at this game.

Beware of the quilt monster

Try and hold it straight, I say, as he steps back into the flowerbed.

Your slippers are going to get muddy, he said. And worse, I think, as I realize that I am standing just where the henhouse was until a couple of days ago. I don't have a coat on, and my hands are cold.

I promise you that it is a very pretty quilt. It has a quaintly antique air, and is not really as crinkled as it looks. And I will come back after the official presentation with some better pictures and some profound musings, or not, as the case may be.




21 comments:

Annie Cholewa said...

You have blue skies and a quilt ... who cares about muddy slippers.

You look to have some nice fabrics in there ... new bought?

Used-to-Bees said...

Lovely! I think you did a good job with both the quilt and the photos and I know what I'm talking about because I too have spent time over the last two days trying to get a decent photo of the quilt I just finished! I failed pretty miserably - ladder/dead plants/wet washing line/wind effects in garden shots, poor light indoors even though the sun is shining. Ah well! Your quilt is so pretty with the pastel shades - whoever is receiving it will be delighted!
x

Angela said...

It looks lovely in the 'rolled state' - and pretty impressive in the 'flapping display' too. I hope your slippers have recovered!!

Amy Friend said...

I love the bow picture :)

Katy Cameron said...

Apparently himself has an issue with straight ;o) Oh well, looking forward to round 2!

Gene Black said...

A yes, the weather never seems to be right when I need a picture of a quilt. I have fought the quilt monster, I didn't win, but I survived.

Elizabethd said...

Lovely! I think you have used very similar fabrics as my last lap quilt, Moda?

Helen Philipps said...

Hello Pomona It's good to see you again! your quilt looks lovely, such soft and pretty colours. I love it rolled up and tied with a big bow too, the perfect way to give it as a gift!
Wishing you a happy weekend.
Helen x

Mrs. Micawber said...

When in doubt, tie on a bow and get the camera as close as possible. :)

It's a very pretty quilt indeed. And being an "amateur" is a lovely thing when the word is taken in its original meaning.

The Head Chef looks lovely in pastels, by the way.

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

It looks just right in the first shot and, of course, the second shot gives a good idea of the quilt's size, so what more could you need? It's beautiful.

Frances said...

Pomona, I do like the photo of the quilt all rolled up with the pretty bow. The "garden view" truly made me smile, and definitely gives an idea of the quilt's dimension.

It's always grand to see a post from you. xo

Sophie Belle Designs said...

Oh I really love this quilt, the colours and placement are just gorgeous. I can see this equally at home on an antique bed or a white modern setting.

harmony and rosie said...

So impressed with the lengths yoiu have gone to already. I can see it is a thing of beauty! Next project, making slippers per chance?

Down by the sea said...

The pink bow looks lovely against your pretty quilt. I am impressed with the assistance of the Head Chef can't have been easy in the wind!
Sarah x

Mousy Brown said...

I always find that part impossible too...I never seem to be able to get how lovely they are to show in a photo...not all of it anyway! I just resort to arty photos of small bits of it...
Yours is beautiful and I am sure the recipient is over the moon! :D

melanie said...

Such a beautiful quilt! it certainly does look pretty :)

Gillian Roe said...

Your comments about the wind made me laugh - it is hard to photograph great big things like this in their entirety. Especially when it's so gloomy indoors.

Lovely fabrics though, just peeking through - you can tell it's pretty from the first photo.

Gillian x

gillyflower said...

It looks beautiful!

Nicky said...

If that is a quilt monster, I could be wrong, but it doesn't look that scary - indeed quite cuddly and warming! Hope you let him catch you and wrap you in his warming embrace...or was there no time for such nonsense!?

Unknown said...

Blowing in the wind......it looks just beautiful!! It must have been a lot of work! X

Little Blue Mouse said...

They're lovely fabrics you've used for the quilt, and the first one really is a pretty picture.

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