Mike Gibson
You may have noticed the banner advertising the photography forum is one of my teapots. l was very honored that Ellis asked to use my photo and he suggested l give a description of how l take my photos.

l was taking a week course with John Jordan at the Appalachian Craft Center in Tennessee and John Lucas came and gave a demo on how photograph turnings. l noticed he had made a boom on one of his light stands made out of square lumber. When l got home l decided to make one and turned mine on the lathe (shame on you John) l found this to be a great help. When l started to turn l used a homemade light box and do it your self light system which l did not have much success. As you can see from the photos l invested in a set of cheap lights with umbrellas, a graduated background and a sturdy tripod.

Every piece is so different in its form and finish l spend a lot of time playing with the lights which l feel can make or break a photo. l have found if l get down to eye level with the camera l can see if the lighting is correct or not. In some cases, as John suggested, just using one light and using a reflecting board works nicely. When photographing a glossy piece care has to be taken with the board as the gloss reflects all its surroundings including the lights. l turn the lights around so the umbrellas are reflecting the light and move them back and forth, if this is still not enough l drape a sheet in front of the light to defuse and cut down even more of the reflections from the lights.

So l can a have a depth of field l use the camera on the aperture setting and use a 50-200mm lens which l think helps keep the object in perspective.

l enjoy using my camera but am certainly no expert in photography and although l rarely comment of forums l read with great interest what others write. l have to thank Ed Koenig for helping me a great deal and the likes of John Lucas as well as others that write in forums such as this. Please feel free to comment especially if you can help me improve my photography. Thanks Mike.