Although...I have noticed..that when enlarges the view in the monitors....things do get a bit grainy....maybe a bit out of focus...hate to see it on a HUGE monitor that some think they need to use....Mine is set to 140%..mainly to suit MY eyes. Hate to see them on a 75" screen....
A Beginner's Guide to Photographing Your Woodworking Projects
Seeing your finished projects is one of the most satisfying moments for those passionate about woodworking. We understand the hours of meticulous crafting, the delicate sanding, and the careful selection of woods that went into the final piece. But how can we effectively communicate that same passion, detail, and beauty to others? The answer lies in how well we photograph our creations.
Even if you're a beginner, you don't necessarily need a high-end camera or professional photography equipment to capture your woodworking projects. You'd be amazed at what your mobile phone can do.
Lighting is Key
The right lighting can make or break your photo regardless of your device. Natural, indirect daylight often provides the most appealing illumination. Photograph your projects near a window or outside on an overcast day. Harsh direct sunlight can create overly bright spots and dark shadows, distorting your work. If you're shooting indoors or in low-light conditions, consider using an LED light or a softbox to illuminate your piece evenly.
The Rule of Thirds
A basic photography principle, the rule of thirds, is crucial even in woodworking photography. Imagine breaking your image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so you have nine parts in total. The idea is to place your project at the intersections or along these lines. This technique offers a more engaging and balanced composition instead of centering your subject.
Background Matters
Ensure the background does not distract from your project. Use a neutral or contrasting backdrop to make your project stand out. A simple cloth, a wooden wall, or even a clean workshop can serve as effective backgrounds. Just ensure it's free of clutter and unrelated objects that might detract from the focus.
Multiple Angles and Details
Every woodworking project has its unique features and details. Showcase them! Take pictures from multiple angles- if applicable - front, sides, top, and even bottom. Close-up shots of the grain, joinery, or any intricate detailing will give viewers a better understanding and appreciation of your craftsmanship.
Stability is Essential
Even the slightest movement while taking a photo can result in a blurred image. While professional photographers use tripods, you can also keep your mobile phone steady by propping it against a stack of books or using a mobile phone holder.
Edit, But Don't Overdo It
Mobile phones come with in-built editing features, and numerous apps can enhance your photos. Adjusting brightness, contrast, and saturation can help emphasize the unique characteristics of your woodworking project. However, remember that the goal is to represent your work honestly. Over-editing can make your photos look artificial.
Try Different Photography Apps
Different photography apps offer varied features such as control over focus, exposure, ISO, and white balance. Experiment with apps like Snapseed, VSCO, or Adobe Lightroom Mobile to see which works best for your style and projects.
Remember, taking better photos is an art, much like your woodworking. It takes time and practice. Start with these tips and refine your approach as you learn what works best for you and your unique projects. With time, you'll find that your photography skills have become another tool in your woodworking arsenal, helping to share and celebrate your craftsmanship with a broader audience.
Share tips you have used for photographing your projects!
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They look fine to me as well... And I think some people tend to forget that we aren't here for the photos, but the knowledge associated with them. It could be the worst picture in the world, but if it helps clarify the info being presented, then it's still priceless. Certainly no reason to ignore the thread or disregard the info associated with them regardless.
BTW: Am I the only one left who actually uses a real camera to take pictures?!?
Ok, I gotta know... how have you been doing 'photo blogs' for almost 40 years since 'blogs' haven't even been around for that long - heck, the www has only been around for ~30bandit571 said:
Cheers,
Brad
Interesting thread that seems to offend some members. The quality of pictures taken with some of the newer cell phones are really good and plenty good enough to post on a forum. My Samsung Galaxy 21 is amazing and so easy to get good pictures and then send them to my computer or tablet. I used to take pictures with a digital SLR but my cell phone takes very good pictures. For example, this is a picture I took with my cell phone from 15 feet away thru a glass door. I could not do better with my SLR.
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I do a quick edit of my pictures to crop and adjust contrast and brightness. At times, I will get out a blue sheet to take pictures with a better background. Too many pics posted have such a cluttered background it takes away from the subject. I read thru this thread to see if there were any hints that could help me take better pictures and one thing was the need for better lighting. I am looking into this as better lighting for pictures will also give better work lighting.
I do not post many pictures so doing a better picture setup and edit is not a big thing. If I posted a lot of the same pictures in different threads, it would be more wirk.
I do a quick edit of my pictures to crop and adjust contrast and brightness. At times, I will get out a blue sheet to take pictures with a better background. Too many pics posted have such a cluttered background it takes away from the subject. I read thru this thread to see if there were any hints that could help me take better pictures and one thing was the need for better lighting. I am looking into this as better lighting for pictures will also give better work lighting.
I do not post many pictures so doing a better picture setup and edit is not a big thing. If I posted a lot of the same pictures in different threads, it would be more wirk.
As a side note . . . VerticalScope has established a brand new forum that specifically deals with iPhone photography. (of course you can become a member if you have another brand). It's all about using a hand-held device to take pictures. For the beginner or professional, all are welcome. Go check it out.
www.iphoneographytalk.com
iPhoneography Talk
iPhoneography forum community for iPhone photographers to share their work, discuss tips and techniques for capturing and editing better photos, and connect with other photographers worldwide.
www.iphoneographytalk.com
I am out in the sticks and stuck with DSL, which is SLOW (although blazing fast compared to my old 110 baud dial-up
. Half the time, images time-out and don't get displayed because they take too long to load. Heavy graphic sites basically can't be viewed at all.Cheers,
Brad
I run Windows 10 on my H/P Pavillion Desk Top....it has 2 ways to edit all photos. And, I use them both.
Some sites require a certain size limit, while other sites do their own size adjustments.....since I have trouble keeping track of which site vs which photo size.....I re-size down all photos to match the largest size allowed on the sites that do not resize....
Main camera I have to take the photos....then take the chip out of that camera, install it into a smaller camera that is always connected to the computer....as the main camera does not "talk" to the computer via cable....the slot for the chip adapter is so worn, it no longer works....after 3 years.
Once the photos from the camera's chip is loaded into the computer...I can process/edit(delete the "bad ones") and then MOVE that batch of photos over to that file they belong to.
Sometimes, during a Project Build Session....I MIGHT take up to 30 photos......task being to sort through all of those, toss/delete the bad/duplicate photos....adjust the size, clarity, colour, shadows/highlights...add a file name to each photo....all the while trying to cool down from the 2-4 hours of being IN the shop. Plus taking photos the whole time adds another 20 minutes IN the shop.
yes, I take a LOT of photos...just imagine how many wind up on the "Cutting Room" floor.
Sometimes, a photo can be a little busy..
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Can't be helped, some days....
Some sites require a certain size limit, while other sites do their own size adjustments.....since I have trouble keeping track of which site vs which photo size.....I re-size down all photos to match the largest size allowed on the sites that do not resize....
Main camera I have to take the photos....then take the chip out of that camera, install it into a smaller camera that is always connected to the computer....as the main camera does not "talk" to the computer via cable....the slot for the chip adapter is so worn, it no longer works....after 3 years.
Once the photos from the camera's chip is loaded into the computer...I can process/edit(delete the "bad ones") and then MOVE that batch of photos over to that file they belong to.
Sometimes, during a Project Build Session....I MIGHT take up to 30 photos......task being to sort through all of those, toss/delete the bad/duplicate photos....adjust the size, clarity, colour, shadows/highlights...add a file name to each photo....all the while trying to cool down from the 2-4 hours of being IN the shop. Plus taking photos the whole time adds another 20 minutes IN the shop.
yes, I take a LOT of photos...just imagine how many wind up on the "Cutting Room" floor.
Sometimes, a photo can be a little busy..
Can't be helped, some days....
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