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September 11, 2009

Better photographs!

I was reading a really interesting blog today by Alison of AMI Designs (fantastic beaded jewellery maker), who gave away a few tips on how to improve the quality of photographic images.

I’d always had trouble photographing my work, as I could never seem to show it off to its full potential. I have now learnt that the way to do it is to edit your images using a free downloadable program called Picasa – it’s brilliant! I’ve been having a play, and have found that Picasa works wonders for my images, especially those with a white background. It’s also a good tool to use for cropping.

These are some of my favourites, which I now actually feel confident to show off!


I’m really pleased with the results and will definitely use Picasa to edit future
photos.

Thought I’d also show off this huge new cast iron fire burner for outdoors. It’s my Dad’s, one of his new big boys toys although this is not a toy!! It’s great for keeping warm whilst sitting outside in the garden, especially now the evenings are getting chilly.
While at my Dads yesterday we cooked homemade pizza’s in the top compartment – the bit with the sun engraved is an open flap that comes down. It’s supposed to be a stone-baked pizza oven as well as a fire burner, but my pizza tasted a bit smokey! We did wait for the fire to calm down a lot before putting the pizza’s in, but mine went in first as the tester, and I think it was too early! It was fun though.
Afterwards we baked these homemade brown floured rolls above which cooked much slower, and tasted much nicer!
I’m off to play ‘chase the ribbon’ with Molly before she goes to sleep 🙂

About Charlotte
9 Comments
  1. I absolutely love the fire burner – where on earth did your dad get it. Never seen anything life it – love it. It's the sort of thing we would use in our garden. Hmmmmm, pizza.

  2. Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics September 10, 2009 at 9:38 pm Reply

    I'm not sure where but he ordered it online somewhere. It came in parts and had to be offloaded with a forklift! it weighs a tonne. It is a good thing to have, especially when it comes to bonfire night etc, but your hair and clothes do end up smelling of smoke at the end of the night!!

  3. Hi charlotte

    thanks for the the link to picasso……its a fantastic site and its free!! Just downloaded the program its brill! Love the stove too, have you melted marshmellows yet?
    kazx

  4. Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics September 11, 2009 at 7:47 am Reply

    Hi Kaz,

    Glad you found it useful too. Marshmallows are next on the list, along with a big pot of chilli 🙂

  5. I'm so glad you found my post helpful – seriously Picassa is the best thing since sliced bread 😀 You've done a brilliant job with your photos.

    And I too want the fire burner!!

  6. fab. love your coasters. maybe you could try raku firing in the new burner (when your dad isn't looking!) your photos are really good, clear, shows off your work beautifully.

  7. Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics September 11, 2009 at 12:03 pm Reply

    Brilliant idea Lauren!! hadn't thought of that… you've got me thinking now.

  8. How cool is that burner!! Love it! The photo's are looking great too! I really need to do more with mine too!

  9. Thanks for posting this – might have to download the programme, been wanting to improve my photographs for a while! Thanks again 🙂

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