How to Photograph Your Rugs: Part 1

DO make sure your photo is on focus, as shown on the left. Zoom in on your photograph. Can you see the loops clearly defined, as shown here on the left? The right side of this photo shows a zoomed in view of the same rug, slightly out of focus. Also, the right side is over-exposed, too bright.

DON’T judge focus by merely viewing the photo on the back screen of the camera or via a cell phone. The difference in clarity is best seen when viewed zoomed in, and on a computer screen.

Dear Rug Hooking Friends and Colleagues: I love your gorgeous hooked rugs. You take so much care with your designs and executions, creating glorious pieces of art with thoughtful colors, enormous technical skill, and extraordinary artistic vision. Your photos, however, are terrible, whether I see them online via social media, or in various print formats. Yes, I mean you!

When our photographs are poorly done, the world dismisses us and doesn’t take us seriously. Lousy photographs can make even the finest, most extraordinary work appear poorly made and badly designed.

Well-done photographs of your work are essential for submission to juries and publications. They will help your rug-hooking business sell your wool, patterns, and workshops. Most importantly (to me at least), it will help the world see your work in the way it deserves to be seen—as serious art and craft.