Simple tips for photographing pottery – Ceramics by Jas

Simple tips for photographing pottery

In last week's email I talked about how good images help sell your work. In this week's email, I'll share some of my tips for photographing pottery. But before I begin, a quick disclaimer- I am not a professional photographer and have never worked with one. So a lot of the information here is simply what I've learnt looking at images I like and what's worked for me. This is by no means a complete comprehensive outlook. It's just my way of simplifying the process to make it work for me.
 
Now let's explore some key considerations when photographing pottery:
  1. Lighting - The magic begins with lighting. Natural or diffused light works best for pottery. Remember, direct sunlight can wash out colors and create harsh shadows, unless that's the desired effect you're going for. When outdoors, look for a shaded spot, and when indoors, position your pottery close to a window. Personally, I prefer using natural light for my photos as it captures the piece well & requires very little editing. The way I take photos and the vibe that I am going for, artificial lighting doesn't work for me, especially since I use my phone to take most of my photos. Not only does it add a ton of reflection to the pot surface but also changes the colour balance. I do use artificial lighting for filming tutorials, especially in the evening, but I avoid it for my photos. I've seen many potters use artificial lighting to great effect for a professional looking image with a graded black-grey background. I believe it's essential to learn both techniques since they serve different purposes. In my opinion, One is more apt for things like gallery submissions or competitions while the other works better to connect & invite our ideal customers into our creative world. If you have experience with artificial lighting, I'd love to hear your insights on how you make it work.
Here is an example of an image in artficial light and in natural light. You can clearly see how different the two look and why I prefer natural light for my photos.
2. Product Focus - Make sure that the product is in focus, especially when you have other objects in the background as props. Sometimes, it's difficult to know from a photo, what exactly is the focal point as either a background prop is in focus or everything in the frame is in focus. This is especially true when you use the portrait/ bokeh mode on iPhone.
3. Accurate Colors - Capturing accurate colors can sometimes be tricky, but can definitely be done. Sometimes this means editing the photos so they represent the actual colour which wasn't captured by the camera while photographing. I feel this is especially tricky while photographing pinks and peaches. Again, no direct harsh light on your pieces only soft diffused light.
 
4. Clean and Clutter-Free Backdrops - Opt for clean and simple backdrops that won't distract from your pottery. Especially if you make colorful, textured pieces with intricate details, you don't want the background overcrowding the frame. While props can add to the overall aesthetic, be cautious so they don't steal the spotlight. I've learned from experience and now lean towards a cleaner backdrop that truly lets my pottery take center stage.
5. Angles - Experiment with various angles and detailed shots to highlight the unique features of your pottery. Capture the surface texture, glaze melts, and any other elements that make your pieces special. Recommended angles include straight front shots, top shots, side shots (I love including the pot bottoms), and shots that feature your hand to create a sense of connection and proportion.
 
6. Thoughtful Props - Select props that enhance the overall visual appeal of your composition. Flowers, dried flowers, fabric, books, and other elements can evoke a certain emotion. Remember, moderation is key to avoid cluttering your frame.
7. Storytelling - Don't limit yourself to photographing just the final pieces. Capture the journey by including images of works in progress, your tools, shelves, work area, and even the sunlight illuminating your pots or worktable, muddy hands, and other things in the studio to capture the vibe of your studio or the vibe you'd like people to perceive. These images help tell your unique story and make a deeper connection between you, your art, and your audience.
 
Some useful tools for taking good photos:
  • Floor phone holder- for taking multiple images with ease
  • Reflector- A nifty little tool to reflect light and add some brightness to the darker areas in a frame
  • Backdrop- To have a clean background
  • Backdrop Stand- to support the backdrop without a wall
If you have any additional suggestions and tips for photographing your pottery, please let me know! I would love to hear from you!

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