Photographing handcrafted works, such as woodcrafts, requires a good understanding of lights and materials, as well as an understanding of the intended use of the photography.
Most often, handcraft photography will be for one of two uses: as a portfolio piece for the artisan, or as a sales tool. In either case,
it's important to understand the materials and methods used to craft the piece. In woodcrafts, the artisan has carefully selected the species and specimen of wood for very specific reasons,
often because of a beautiful wood grain figure. Understanding the specific reasons behind a wood choice will allow the photographer to set up lighting and staging to best highlight these features.
When shooting
handcrafted works, I like to find a backdrop that complements the pieces, without drawing attention away from them. This might be a similar but contrasting material (a different
species or finish of wood for woodcrafts, for instance, or a slate surface for a stone sculpture). Alternatively, I might select a neutral background to help highlight the grain and figure of a turned wood piece,
as with the pen example shown here. Occasionally, I will choose to photograph the handcrafts with a backdrop of a different natural material (a
stone background for woodcrafts, for instance, or a wood backdrop for metal works).
The
selection of photographic lighting is often determined by the client's desired look and feel. A client interested in showing off a piece's natural feel (as often is the case for woodworks or
textile arts) might benefit from a very soft, warm lighting set up. An artisan who wants to show a more sleek and modern look - as you might see with contemporary furniture, would benefit from
a more stark lighting set up. I'll choose the photographic techniques and set ups to best suit the client's needs.
Send me an email through the contact form, and we can start planning your handcraft photography shoot.
