It is again (well almost) vacation, so time for (drum roll) handmade ceramics pictures. Why?
Next year a new NVK-Ceramics member guide will be released with all the affiliated ceramic artists form the Netherlands and Belgium (yeah!!). But that also means I had to go to work…
No, not to make new ceramic sculptures, but to capture my new work digitally. In this online world a significant part of making ceramics. And whoever makes his own ceramics, also takes his own photos.
I hear you thinking, “that you are taking your own pics, is really obvious“.
Okay, fair point, you don’t have to take your own photos. It’s hard enough to make ceramics. But I like to learn things by doing it myself. That is the nature of this beast.
Ceramics snapshots
Anyone can take pictures these days, you grab your phone and before you know it you have many megapixels to deal with. With a bit of luck of what you had in mind. But product photography is more than that. I discovered that early on.
For instance, there are the “normal” product photo challenges, such as background, lighting, angle of view and ambiance. In addition, ceramics snapshots have their own difficulties. Reflective surfaces, glaze depth and color nuances: making ceramics pictures is a challenge.
Iso value, shutter speed and aperture
First thing I’ve learned are the regular photography rules, like the ISO value, shutter speed and aperture. ISO value should be as low as possible (100 a 200) to avoid interference.
Depth of field I determine in particular by the aperture (the size of the light aperture behind the lens). The smaller the aperture (f/16, f/22 or higher) the more depth of field and vice versa. In addition, the focal point (the distance to the subject) also affects this, but I usually keep it constant.
If depth of field is as desired, the exposure must be adjusted accordingly. The smaller the aperture, the more light is necessary. I shoot if it is possible outdoors for natural light and colors. That also means that I don’t have the light completely in hand. But I can adjust light intake by controlling shutter speed.
Photographing is therefore a matter of finding the right balance, it does seem to be a bit like designing a glaze…
Ceramics pictures, the right ambiance
If the exposure and desired depth of field are reached, it will be time for the right background. For online sales, such as my Etsy store, scale and use must be clear from the images. A cup under an espresso machine or on the coffee table can be a good background. In addition, the background must reinforce the ambiance of the work.
For a photo in the NVK-Ceramics member guide, however, I want a neutral background. But what that is, is also for me the question. So, just like with glazes, I’ve also started experimenting with this.
Pleasant holidays
A dark or light background, with or without gradient, I’m not quite sure yet. I like to hear which ones you find best.
As soon as I’m done, I send my ceramics pictures to the NVK and can start my holiday. So for everyone who is already on vacation: enjoy it. And if you’re like me still busy, enjoy the preparations…
Until after the holidays!
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