Painting the buttons was easy..getting good photos very hard! I just HAD to get directly over them or they were oval shaped.... When I was leaning over them I wasn't steady enough to get a good focused shot.... After umpteen hours trying to get focused shots of buttons by standing over them and rigging assorted apparatus to hold camera steady, I found the PERFECT PERFECT PERFECT thing in my very own barn... 
About 20 years ago I had a relative who fancied a darkroom and bought a bunch of equipment at the garage sale which eventually ended up in my barn... I've always meant to get around and tossing the chemicals and papers as I'm sure they're no good.....but the old photo enlarger was there... I took the enlarger thingy off and brought the frame into the house.... The screw on the frame that held the enlarger fits my camera and holds it firmly and the apparatus raises and lowers the camera beautifully right OVER the buttons..... It's low enough I can bend over to see the screen and I just have to touch the button to shoot...I could even use my plunger if I can find it.... And as it is only about 18" square, it takes very little space and I can keep it set up permanently... By putting the buttons on several layers of velvet I can just tip them individually slightly to adjust glare...NOW I can think about the light filters, reflectors etc... Of course I could have ordered a horizontal tripod but not before I tried everything else first since the purpose of this Etsy venture is to make money not spend on something I might use very little.....This problem had been driving me crazy.... well crazier... When it actually worked I was jumping around yelling YES YES YES and the scaring the dogs.... Truly Gerry-rigged!!!!
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6 comments:
don't throw out the paper!! that stuff lasts FOR EVER. and check the chemicals first if they have separated or flakey they are no good if they look like chemicals they are probably fine. I worked in an art studio for a few years and photographers are notorious penny pinchers!
great buttons BTW and very clever Gerry-rig! if it works its not cheating.
It's always exciting to discover an easy solution. Good for you and we benefit!
I just KNEW you would find a way! Someday I’d like to go treasure hunting in that barn of yours, LOL!!! Your buttons, BTW, would even look good shot with a Polaroid!! :-) Hugs, Cathy
Gerry, what I wouldn"t give to take a stroll through your barn!! Your buttons are gorgeous! Debbie (Maine)
Beaautiful buttons, great solution to your photo challenge!
I, too, would love to take a wander through your barn to see what treasures are hidden there.
Gerry, your buttons are gorgeous! I'm quite fond of this one as I just adore Robin birds! Have you done any with hummingbirds?
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