INTRODUCTION
For many woodturners photography quickly becomes yet another tool of the craft. We spend hours creating works of beauty so we naturally want to showcase our work at its best. Acceptance to exhibitions or juried events often requires us to be somewhat proficient in photography. For those of us who share our work on the net, images are our primary means of communication. Yet photography can be daunting to those who are new to the subject.
It shouldn't be. Expensive equipment and a Ph.D in optics aren't necessary for taking a good photo. Take a look at the image at the bottom of this page. It was shot with a basic 3.2 megapixel Canon PowerShot A75. The truth is that most cameras on the market today are more than capable of delivering a beautiful image. The limiting factor is often the person behind the lens.
This tutorial is intended for the woodturner and casual photographer whose primary interest is in taking better photos of his or her woodturnings. It assumes the reader has a basic point-and-shoot camera (or better) and will be shooting primarily in "auto" or "macro" mode. It does not attempt to cover technical photographic concepts such as shutter speed, ISO, aperture, etc. Rather, it is a compilation of simple tips and tricks for assisting fellow woodturners in improving their photos.
The tutorial is divided into three sections:
Section One covers ten simple tips for getting the most out of your images with presentation and shooting techniques.
Section Two discusses a few basic photo editing software tips.
Section Three sheds some light on the world of lighting.
For many woodturners, sections one and two may be enough to satisfy their needs. Section three is provided for those who want to take their skills to the next level.
A Final Thoughts page provides a few additional resources for those who want more information on the topic.
It is suggested that each of these sections be read in order as each builds upon the other.
Click on the navigation links at the top or bottom of each page to move through the tutorial.
Awesome resource
Neal, I am relatively new to IAP and found a link to this tutorial there. It has been a invaluable resource to me. The bits about camera settings, lighting, and a few of the processing techniques have made a world of difference in my photos. I know this must have taken quite a while to compose; just know that your work is appreciated. Thanks, Frank Barrett
Better Pictures from Neal
Your tutorial will change my photography from something I apologized for to something I will be proud of. Easy to understand and can be done with articles you have in your home. Thank you for passing on your wisdom.
Larry Bourdeau
Photo Tutorial
Neal, what a great resource this is!
It was with your assistance I made the transition from taking snapshots of my turnings to actually creating photographs! Thank you for that! It is amazing how a well composed photo can change the subject from something most folks will only glance at to something that can grab and hold their attention! Your tutorial provides all the basics, and more importantly, the reasons behind the different settings. I appreciate you taking the time to put this tutorial together and as I encounter others who have questions and wish to go beyond mere snapshots - I will send them here!
Thanks again,
Steve Schlumpf
photo tutorial
Thanks Neal. It has helped de-mystify the mystery of decent photos.
Roger Dunn
Photo Tutorial
Mr. Addy, I was a professional photographer for about 16 years. I took several courses overseas, worked some in sports photography, and as a traveling portraitist, and owned my own studio in Texas. I had to give it up due to shaky hands. (Sometimes it just isn't feasible to use a tripod). I've been away from photography for about 15 years.
Your tutorial is an excellent tutorial for all of us. Refreshing some old ideas and techniques, and getting a few pointers about lighting that's available today, is very useful.
Thanks for taking the time to help out newbies and old timers.
Al Neighbors
Photography tutorial
This is an excellent product Neal, and I hope many turners will use it as a learning resource to aid in our visual communications.
Jamie Donaldson
Tutorial
Neal, Thanks very much for this great turning aide. I am just beginning to realize some of the benefits from becoming a better photographer, and this information will go a long way for me!
Kurt Bird
President, Stateline Woodturners
Northwest Arkansas