Fiona's focus

PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR STITCHING, Ready to share your stitching with the world? Learn how to take great photos for social media, selling, sharing with our Letters page and more

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While the model photos you see in this magazine are professionally shot, the great news is you don't need expensive equipment to take your own fabulous pics at home. Just follow my handy tips and tricks to start taking snaps of your stitching like a pro!

Lights...

Lighting really can make or break your photos but a camera flash can't be relied on they usually result in poorly lit scenes, with harsh shadows and over-exposed areas that appear flat and white in an image.

• Natural light: This is what a professional lighting setup reproduces in a studio. For best results position your scene near a window, although never directly in front otherwise it will be in shadow from the light behind. South-facing windows will get the most light (or north-facing ones in the southern hemisphere) but this isn't always the best option on a sunny day, as streams of bright sunlight can have the same effect as a camera flash. You should therefore opt for another window if you can, or tape sheets of white paper on the pane to act as a diffuser, softening the bright light that's hitting your scene.