My friend from work came through with the new sewing machine, and I’m ecstatic.
I fixed a BBQ chicken lunch for all of us, and G gave her a couple of artisan cutting boards, but it wasn’t part of the deal.
It’s Singer model 3337 as pictured at right. It even has an automatic needle-threading mechanism, which had me cheering out loud. With my eyesight these days, threading a needle is one of my bigger challenges. And as she promised, the machine was still factory sealed when I received it.
No, it’s not top of the line. I don’t want top of the line. Gimme straight stitch, zigzag, and buttonholes, and I’m happy. Add a blind hem stitch and stretch stitch, I’m thrilled. This model has all the above, plus a few more — but not so many superfluous options it requires an entire Encyclopedia Brittanica set for an instruction manual. If I’d been shopping with my own $$, this would have been my first choice. It was in my shopping cart on Amazon before my friend offered me hers. (Timing!)
Now for time to get my ass in gear and actually use it. I’ve already got a couple of things cut out and ready to sew. Here’s hoping this week I can take it out for a proverbial spin.
Me being me, I’ve got other things in the works, too.
I’m doing a lot of photography-related projects. My goal is to get good enough to sell prints. I technically offer prints for sale now. My photography has improved exponentially since I started. Which isn’t to say I don’t have a long way to go, especially to have a prayer of commercial success.
This arrangement was constructed for a group project. I was aiming for a rustic-romantic sensibility, and think I mostly achieved it. The pomegranate juice isn’t a convincing wine substitute, and the lighting is just sad. I might have to buy a bottle of cheap hootch just for photos. I may try to get G to dig out our studio umbrella lights, assuming he can remember where he put them.
This photo is largely unedited, by the way. There’s an LED flashlight tucked behind the philodendron, and a floor lamp in front of the scene. I did Photoshop in the light into the lantern. I didn’t want to completely lose the light from the candle, but also knew it wouldn’t be enough on its own to illuminate the scene. The old lamp is electric — it’s got a huge CFL bulb inside — but the wires end about 2 inches from the top of the fixture. I’d prefer to yank the existing wiring and do a nice clean rewire. This fixture cries out for a warm light bulb, maybe an Edison style.
Both G and I know how to wire a lamp. Rewiring this one would be a snap. It deserves a rope-covered cord and oversized chain with an antiqued finish. (It’s too heavy to hang directly from a cord, even one wrapped in a rope.)
I wholeheartedly agree that your camera skills are worlds better now than they were just a few months ago. Your progression has been incredible to see, honestly. If you do start selling prints I wouldn’t be surprised to hear it’s becoming a nice little sideline for you fairly quickly.
FWIW, I watched a video a little while ago posted by a professional photographer on the subject of how he makes money off of it. He had a portrait studio if I recall, but he only really started raking in the bucks when he began shooting local scenes around where he lived. As he lives in an area frequented by tourists, and they all want nicely framed photos of their vacation spot to take home with them, business boomed. I don’t know if this is applicable to your area, but it’s something to maybe think about if so.
Regarding your still life shot there, it’s excellent! As I can see you’ve really upped your lighting game, and have no qualms about using modifiers, I’d like to suggest these two videos from perhaps my favorite YouTube photography tutor, Gavin Hoey. Both vids deal with lighting setups for the sort shot you posted here, although as each video goes on you might find he’s using more equipment than you have. Still, a lot of that can be improvised – you’re good at that! – and regardless, the basics and the principles behind them are good to know. I think you’ll get a lot out of them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB8O5NoLGm4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42Y0HVjFAI0
🙂
I assume WP insisted I approve your comment because of the links. Yeesh.
And thank you. I was already leaning toward selling pictures of landscapes, ghost towns, and so on. Someone I know wants cow pictures, which are apparently a big deal now, go figure.
I’ll for sure check out the links — and our problem is less about equipment than about space to USE equipment. Also, a friend who specializes in still life work suggested bringing the elements in closer, which makes sense, and some other helpful tips. I’m getting there, gradually.