Take great pictures of your collectibles by turning your kitchen into a simple photography studio for under $25.

Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Thirty Minutes

Here's How:

1. Assemble or buy the following supplies.
2. Lengths of both dark and light colored supple fabric, something with a close weave that doesn't wrinkle. Some cottons, knits, flannels or flatter fleeces are terrific.
3. Find a photo shop that sells blue professional photoflood light bulbs and then buy an appropriate metal-clamp work lamp. Photographers professional lamps can be also found at a photo shop, but I found mine at the hardware store. See WARNING below about these lights and lamp sockets.
4. Two spring style clamps or heavy-duty spring clothespins.
5. Make a backdrop by clipping fabric to cabinet doors and draping over counter top or small table in front of a door.
6. Then set up your lights by clamping to cabinet doors opposite backdrop, or on something else that holds them steady. I've used a door, a ladder and even a floor lamp with the shade taken off.
7. Place collectible on draped fabric and adjust lights until even lighting is achieved. When using a digital camera experiment a lot, try it with lighting in different areas, try it with the flash turned on and turned off. I use a combination of flash and photoflood lights unless the item is white or very light.
8. Stoop or bend down and take picture at EYE LEVEL -- very important to get the full view of item. How many times have you seen something shot from above and it's impossible to see the whole "front".
9. If applicable, take more pictures of the back, any markings on the bottom, or from a side view.

Tips:

1. An uncluttered background for pictures makes a word of difference. Who wants to see a dirty stove or countertop in the background?
2. Always photograph item at eye level.
3. I never use white fabric for the backdrop, it doesn't take true picturs, a soft grey, or light blue works much better.
4. WARNING these light bulbs get very hot, turn off after every picture. Always use recommended socket for bulbs.

What You Need:

More How To's from your Guide To Collectibles