Thanks for the tip on this software, I downloaded the free version and I've been playing with it for a couple of days and think I'm getting to the point where I'm figuring it out.  I deal with small items, jewelry, so its a little more difficult than large ones I think, if you have any tips I'd appreciate it.  I plan on playing around with it for a few more days and making my decision,

small items i trim 3 or 4 times with zoombrowser program that came with cannon camera making item larger then use blingit.

many pictures i have to redo blinkit makes a bad pict look real bad. a good pict look great.

do either of you guys know about the best size for highwire pictures... I have a few different sized pics, and it messes with the item title and add to cart button, while looking at multiple products in their categories...

Sorry, I can't help!

I was wondering if anyone else knew of anyother photo software programs that can do the same thing that blingit does!

I use Bling it too.    It certainly could use some improvments, but I like it OK, and I do not know of anything else to use in place of it (other than photoshop/Gimp which frustrates me to no end)

Ive found much  better success when I change the settings at the top to find less areas (I forget the terms used).  Before that, it would take me forever becaues Id accidnetly delete some little bit I actully needed to keep, then Id have to undo a bunch of times until getting to that one. (all of which goes kind of slow, esp when the settings are set to create lots of areas)

An improvement it REALY NEEDS is ability to KEEP the settings.   Every photo I do... even when I do a few in a row with the program kept open, I have to reset the settings!  (same thing with selecting the size I want the photo to be at the end)

So... I aim to not have to use it when taking photos... but, its an awesome tool to have on hand for those times when I cannot keep the item colors accurate while brightening the background so it disappears. 

picture size i use 400x400 in bling it. i have new style  highwire template.

I've been playing with the free copy a lot, and think I've got the hang of it.    I've learned to use the stuff at the top to control the size of the brush etc.    Its neat!

Well I've added blingit to a few pics that I have in my store, pretty cool!

I bought the program also - I've only had a few items that I thought it worked well with.  For some reason, and maybe someone can tell me why, my finished photo looks blurry.  I also tend to lose parts of whatever it is I'm trying to bling!  I used it for some vintage Fedora hats and it looked awesome, but that's about it.  :-(

I love the concept - but mine never turns out looking like I think it should!

did u use the highlight button. it helps take out blurry. one click to right works for me

Also, make sure you are using the re-sizing step, and, increase the max file size (top right during the sizing step).  Otherwise, you might be creating a small file size, thus blurry.

Basically, there are so few menu items, choices, settings.... just go through all of them.  (well, thats me, I dont read directions, I poke around)

I tried this sofware and will not buy it. First of all it is too hard to erase the background and I can get the effects I need using a combination of Picasa (for the photo collages on my website) and Fotoflexor (free) which offers many of the features here, including the erase background.  Here is the link and you do not have to have an account to use this (http://fotoflexer.com/).  I find fotoflexor much more intuitive to use.   You can also add text, frames, stickers etc., at Fotoflexor  You can go to my website (http://csbsews.com) to see the images I have created for my products.

Carolyn

Thanks Caroline, I will try that one!

---

With bling it, I did find its MUCH easier to erase the background with the settings set to "find fewer areas".

Oh... online editors go so slow for me (even with my new computer).  I probably have my camera set to take a higher res photo than I need.    Sigh (its always something!)  Its actually the same (or very very very similiar) to the photobucket editor.

I cannot find a delete background function though.   Are you just useing the eraser?    I just do not have a steady enough hand to do that, I need the edges to be found for me.    I do sometimes have to touch up edges manualy with the eraser in bling it... and its HARD for me to do.. I wish they had a way to draw a straight line with the eraser.

(My  hands dont shake, but I just cant seem to draw a crisp straight line using a mouse --- mayb eI cannot do it with a pencil either, ha ha)

I don't erase backgrounds, I found no matter how good the tools, I just couldn't handle it.  LOL...

I truly admire people who can do it, but after trying it many times, with many editors (including Bling It), I decided it wasn't for me.   Too time consuming and I never did it well.   Anyway, I use Picassa (create Collage) and set the background from a picture in my files.   I use fotoflexor when I want to add Text or stickers or Frames (or the Frame Poster) to my pictures.

Carolyn

i use a white bouard to takes picture on. office suppy has em u can wright on with marker and wipe off. blingit find the edge much better. most items i do not have to touch up.

A white board is a good idea!  Ive been using white foam core board, which is better than poster board, but a white board should be even better (glossier!)

Some items I hang, and my foam core board is not big enough, so I hang a "hotel shower curtain" (thats what it was sold as --- bed bath and beyond) which has a high nylon content so its "shiney" too even though its fabric.  

I will look into a white board next time Im in that kind of store... I need to store it somewhere... right now I store the foam core board (and a few other boards) behind a dresser... hopefully I could get a white board that does not have that "ledge" at the bottom for markers, so it will be thin.

Anyway --- great idea.     I OFTEN can get the "no background" look without using bling it or anything.. I use Picasa and increase the highlights to make the background disapear.... and then sometimes have to reduce the "saturation" to make the color show accurately. (free download from google -- love it, but most any photo editer can do these things, just called different words).

But, for some colors, it just doesnt work out for me.    

-------  I end up having to touch up because ---- invariably --- everything I need to use it for has white within the print!    So, bling it cannot distinguish between the item and the background in that little spot, but it doesnt look right since that white isnt SOOO white.

(again, Im doing better with it now that Ive reduced the "number of edges to find".  

Carolyn --- The version of Picasa I have now (got a new computer in Dec) has the option to add text to the collages!!     I do "frames" with it sometimes too by just collaging one photo on some color background, then making a collage from THAT collage on another color background.    Picasa also has the option to use a photo as the background in collages, so we could do something like stripes or polkadot background, etc. 

BTW --- (ok, TANGENT!)    I found microsoft offers TONS of free stock photos and images.... its the stuff from their office program clip art, plus more.    http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/  --- backgrounds is one of the categories.

Back to Bling It ---- if you use the "pen" to delete, you can draw lines through a bunch of sections at once, that saves lots of time!   But, it does make it easier to accidently hit an area you meant to keep.    (again, reducing the "number of sections to find) makes that a lot better too)

I started using a photo tent for my jewelry- it works great!  For larger items I use white fleece fabric, tape it to the wall and drape it over a small table to create a solid white background.  Picasa is a must have and I love PicNik being right there and So easy to use. The first image if it shows up - was taken using a tent.  The second was taken using my fabric taped to the wall!!  With just a little tweaking thru Picasa you get the look of a stock photo.  Hope the pics show- if not ... sorry :-(

[img]http://images.buyitsellit.com/2597284_290.jpg[/img]

[img]http://images.buyitsellit.com/2581812_290.jpg[/img]

Well Dang!!  NO pics! 

Ya, but we can just click the links!

And, yes, those photos are AWESOME!   LOVE those Lily Bloom bags - got any with horses???   LOL

My husband bought me a light kit last Christmas, which I have NEVER set up --- not even once.    I wanted it, I hinted about it, but I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN I wouldnt use it.  (I did think I would at least TRY IT!!!!)

Right now.. I don't even know where it is!      

----At least I'm a clearly defined personality, huh????

The majority of the items I need to photograph are larger than what you'd use with jewelry.    I actually sent a bunch of jewelry to be photographed by someone else in the past (a friend, so my cost was less than it would have been to buy all the supplies, and the photos I was taking were just NOT gonna work)

----------I think photos that look more proffesional are very important.    Mine could definitly be better, and there are a number of photos on my site which are particularly in need of help.     One of these days, Im gonna "bling them".  (Which might take longer than taking a new photo, BUT, I LOATHE taking photos of things Ive already taken a photo of.       Who am I kidding... I loathe taking photos of products regardless.   (well, its fine, but I never WANT to do it and put it OFF OFF OFF)

Yes, its half past wine over here on the east coast!

Lets try HTML...  <img src="http://images.buyitsellit.com/2581812_290.jpg" /> 

just for giggles

Cindy you crack me up!  The tent I have is only good for small objects, but they do make tents that are HUGE!  I do fine with larger items its just those tiny little jewelry pieces I can't get right without a little help.  And you are so right - a professional image is Very important since our photos sell our items.  I think we all get tired of photographing but it sorta goes with the job.  I'm all about finding ways to make photographing easier and of better quality.  Good lighting and learning to use all the functions of your camera are a must also.