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So now that I have my pretty pattern back from my tech editor, it’s time for pictures. Actually, if I’m being good, I take pictures while the pattern is still at the tech editor.
Photographer
I take all of the pictures myself for the Poetry in Yarn patterns. I take lots and lots and lots of pictures. Why? Because I’m a novice photographer. If I take a lot, I generally wind up with 2 to 4 that I like. I’m working at improving my photography, and looking at taking classes. I think one big benefit of my independent pattern line is that I’m learning so much about other subjects too.
Photagraphee (Is that even a word?)
I use my friends as models. I like showing how my items look on real people. Since I’m working with people who don’t usually model, I try to engage them in conversation and keep things low key. I’ve learned not to rush things. It’s better to wait a week to take photos than to do it today when I only have 20 minutes.
Photo
After I’ve picked out a few photos I like I take them into Photoshop. I don’t do major editing, really just tweaking here and there. Actually most of what I do is resize photos. I sell my patterns on several different online sites and they each have different requirements for pictures. One website wants 300 x 300 pixel photos with one 175 x 175 pixel photo for their newsletter. Another site want photos with a maximum length or width of 1000 pixels. My personal website is built to use 400 x 400 pixel photos.
I like this photo in general. Not sure if it shows off the item well enough.
Close Up of the Sock Weight Yarn Version
Layout
Once I have my pattern AND my pictures it’s time to lay it out. I use Adobe InDesign. If you look the program up online, you may have a small heart attack when you see the price. Don’t worry. I had a small heart attack the first time I saw the price too. (In fact, the single biggest layout of cash in my business, other than travel costs, has been the software).
When I layout the pattern I put in the text, charts, and pictures. I make sure to format it like my other patterns (headings in bold, same font, etc). I also try to lay things out so that someone printing it at home doesn’t have to waste ink. For example, in the Learn It, Love It, Knit Lace Scarf Pattern (Full Tutorial Version) I have picture step-by-steps of how to do the different stitches. I put that section all on one page by itself. This way, you can print the pattern page, but not the photo filled page (if you’d rather just view that on your computer and save ink).
Tomorrow will be the last post in this series, where I discuss the pattern going live…
