I was catching up on some blog reading the other day. A post on Elaine’s blog, tooAquarius caught my attention. She asked readers to leave a comment, feedback, suggestions, etc. for a chance at a giveaway. The comments that caught my attention were the ones suggesting photographing the beads with a coin for size reference.
When I first started selling beads online, I put a coin in the photo for reference. Many people said they didn’t like the coin in the photo saying it distracted them from the beauty of the beads. So, I want to know your thoughts. Would you like to see a coin in the photo for size reference? Or do you think it’s distracting?
I think it is a good practice, Chris. Many pics taken on etsy are really close up and makes the product look huge, when you know by the size oz. of the product, or whatever – that it can’t possibly be that large. I personally would like to know the size if I was buying beads.
Sew that’s my 2 cents!
~~Cindy~~
Very beautiful piece!
I think it is just a matter of opinion and answers vary widely. I do not find it distracting and it does help me judge size more easily. One thing I cannot help but wonder about though, with selling internationally will people in other countries recognize the size of a dime? Guess it would make a difference in whether they had seen one or not. I do not know the sizes of coins in other countries so if tooAquarius put Canadian coins in her photos it would not really help me out.
Chris – I really appreciate seeing a coin for visual reference. Even when the measurements are in the text, the eye sees what is sees. Big.
As for Etsy – you can have with & without coin pictures. I have done that a few times (and should do it more) with some of the earrings I’ve posted.
Yep… and more interestingly, I am not American. The coins here are similar sized but not identical in Canada and completely different in the EU. I do use a ruler in my final photograph of listings on etsy or artfire. I will not use it (or a coin) in first pictures as it limits your chance for Etsy features or blog features and (to me, it was my old reason too) it looks unprofessional.
Thanks for the feedback ladies! You have brought up some great points, which I have already been thinking about and may deserve another post.
Hey Chris, great post! I don’t find the coin in a photo disturbing, it is nice to see the actual size even though any of us that have been working in this field know roughly what a 10mm or 15mm bead is going to look like, it’s still the visual thing.
I also agree with Elaine on not wanting to use a coin reference as the first picture. I also don’t like my business name on my pictures either but unfortunately there has been too much stealing of photo’s on the net.
Chris, I think the coin is a great idea…it really gives you an idea of the size of your wonderful beads!
i think it’s nice if one of the images includes a coin for size reference – i think it can really help people get a handle on exactly what they are buying. but i do love a completely clean photo as the main image. the “rainforest in bloom” beads are fantastic!!!
I don’t find it distracting, however, one of the lists that I am on that deals with marketing jewelry states that you should always put a small ruler in the picture rather than a coin. The list owner feels that by putting a coin in the picture you are comparing your product to a small amount of money rather than to its size. Does that make sense?
Chris, I personally love the idea of using a coin for reference. I know size measurements are on there, but unless you have a ruler beside you, you really can’t tell the true size. Now, i can take a dime, and know that your lentil beads in the picture are just a touch smaller.
And, I agree about having a picture with and without the coin…that way for those that don’t want “distracted” from the beads by the coin can see both pictures.
Lastly, I’m sad to hear about pictures being stolen off the net….that is horrible. I’m sorry to hear that Lisa.
I’m excited about all the great comments. There seems to be an overwhelming response for a coin, etc. for reference in photos.
Shellie – Interesting. I never really thought about that way, but I suppose one could relate the coin to a small amount of money and the worth of the product. Very interesting.
Amanda – Unfortunately, stolen photos has been going on for quite some time. A couple of years ago there were several big name lampwork artists that had their photos stolen by an overseas site supposedly selling the beads.
BTW – Thanks for the nice comments on the beads. I made those in 2005. Had to go back a ways to find a photo with a coin in it.
I think it’s a good idea! I would not use it as the first pic…..
:0)
I think the coin is a good idea. It lets you know immediately the relative size of the piece. Looking at the small images on the product list page on another site, I fell in love with this piece, http://stockleyjewellery.com.au/gallery/one-of-a-kind/lapis-lazuli-vintage-charm-silver-bead-bracelet thinking it was a choker and it was a while before I realised that it was a bracelet. Bummer!
Absolutely–put in the coin! The beads really seemed too large until I compared them to the dime and then I thought they were the perfect size.
There are so many cool ideas
polymer clay artists come up with.