How to Take Better Knitting Photography

Want to know the first step to better knitting photography? Find the light.

Lighting is everything for a good photo. Online photography guides are always telling aspiring photographers to work with natural light – but what the heck does that even mean?

How strong is the light?

Depending on whether your light is direct overhead sunlight, filtered through clouds, or shining at a low angle at the beginning or end of the day, you’re going to have different kinds of shadows surrounding your work. I prefer working with bright, indirect sunlight. My window allows lots of light to enter the room, but the light doesn’t fall directly on the knitting. This reduces shadows that might make it harder to see my project.

What temperature is the light?

Light can be all sorts of colors, from red to gold to blue to purple, depending on various circumstances. This is referred to as the light’s “temperature.” That doesn’t mean how the light registers on a thermometer. Rather, it’s asking whether the light is warm (reddish to yellow) or cool (greenish to purple).

Think about what color your walls are, whether there are surfaces outside that might reflect light into your photo area, and whether you need to make adjustments to correct for any reflections that might change the color of your light.

Some surfaces absorb light, while others reflect it. If you want bright, airy photos, try working with light stone backgrounds, light-colored fabrics in linen or silk, and light, warm woods like bamboo, oak, or pine. If you want dark, moody photos, try using darker stone like slate, wood in a shade of gray or dark brown, and velvet or wool fabrics in darker colors.

Learn more about how to photograph your knitting on my blog. Plus, find helpful tips and tricks to improve your knitting, patterns, tutorials, and more.