New camera on its way

So, I finally gave in and ordered a new digital camera. I realize this means that my old one will reappear, just as soon as I can no longer return the new one. But I really would like to be able to take pictures at Thanksgiving and Christmas. And, I learned a lot from my first camera about what to look for in a digital camera. Plus, it was 3 years old, which is ancient in camera years. So, I'm pretty happy about replacing it for under $100. We'll see if I'm still feeling that way a month from now.

Hopefully, the new camera will arrive before next weekend, so I will be able to take new pics of my projects to post here.

In the meantime, I continue to knit furiously on my Christmas projects. I am making Paul's first stocking, knitting an ornament for the Chicks with Sticks club ornament swap, and knitting several Christmas gifts (can't give details right now; this is public after all).

Photography for knitters

I recently ran across some posts on ravelry about photographing one's work to best effect. I had been getting decent photographs of my work, but not fabulous ones. The tips that I found most helpful were these:

1. Use natural daylight whenever possible. This means being patient and waiting until a nice sunny day (or lightly cloudly one). When impossible (ie you've got a deadline), use diffuse light by putting parchment paper over lamps, and positioning them around the work to be photographed.

2. Keep the background simple to avoid distracting from your work.

3. Don't use the zoom. Instead, hold the camera as close as possible to the work.

4. Photograph your work in use if possible. If it's a garment, have someone model it.

Using these tips, I took this picture of my most recent finished work, a crocheted shopping bag.