4 Tips for better Woodworking Photos by Leigh Woodworking Tools 

 

You work hard on your woodworking projects and you want to share them with the world. In this blog, we’re gonna go over some concepts that are useful to anyone taking pictures of their woodworking projects regardless of your photographic ability. All these tips apply whether using smartphones or a camera. 

1. Choose Suitable Background

 

Enhance the effect of your subject by reducing visual clutter. An easy way to neutralize or enhance a background is with the use of a backdrop of craft paper. 

 

A white background will make your audience focus on your subject without any distractions. However, you can use color to complement or contrast your piece. 

 

To set up your background, just use what you have around the shop. A couple of scrap pieces of wood, a vise or some clamps, and then some artful draping of the paper mentioned above over your bench.  

 

If you can’t use a backdrop, try to isolate your subject from the background. The best way to do that is by shooting from further away and zooming in. Focus on the subject and the background will naturally blur. 

 

Shooting zoomed-in can also help reduce the distortion that comes with wide-angle lenses. Which can help your project look amazing. 

 

The best way to take sharper pictures is by not touching the camera when taking a picture. Though this sounds impossible to do by hand, the simplest way around it is by just investing in a tripod. Camera movement can cause the image to blur. Even simply pushing the shutter release button can shake the camera. 

 

2. Get the Camera Out of your Hands.

 

Step 1.

 

Secure the camera with a tripod, some people are creative and use a table or clamp, but please be mindful of damaging your camera. There are also specialized tripods and adaptors that are suitable for phones. 

 

Almost all cameras and smartphones have a timer feature that will delay by anywhere from 2 to 10 seconds before firing. Some have a remote trigger and some are controlled by an app on your phone or tablet.

 

 

Step 2.

 

Remotely trigger the camera, that way you aren’t adding any shake to the camera when it triggers. The tips given so far are practical takes on daily traditional concepts, but I don’t want you to just take good pictures. I want you to take amazing photos! 

 

3. Add Drama 

 

Generally speaking, some lights are better than none, but notice that your subject will become darker at the end. What you need to do when this happens is to manipulate the light. You don’t need to be in a studio, you just need to use what you have available. 

 

Most of the phones and cameras have creative color modes that will add up in the drama of your photo. Playing around with your camera setting is the best way to learn how to take better pictures, regardless of how you do it. 

 

 

4. What Story you are Trying to Tell 

 

You control what people see based on where you point the lens. You are the boss of the camera, you decide what you want people to see and vice versa. 

 

Composition is what makes into the picture and what doesn’t, is the key to telling a story through images. 

 

Bonus Tip. 

 

People look at your pictures, not your camera. If you produce a good image very few people care about how you do it. Or what you used. Don’t waste your time and energy worrying about what people think of your equipment.. Take time and use your energy to take great photos of your work. 

 

Know more about taking a good shot of your woodworking products here!

 

Youtube: @Leigh Woodworking Tools