Why Lighting is important

[Greenberg Woods]

Hey guys, so i learned a new lesson. Figure shows in direct light. Lately, i have been using indirect light to better show the color of burls like Bloodwood and cumaru. But these is the diffrence for blocks shot in sunlight vs diffuse light. The photos will be the same block

Maple

Mango

Koa

And a bonus me showing off

 

[Ken H>]

Just no comparison is there? Lighting is almost everything in photography. Beautiful wood!

 

[John Blazy]

Yep, that's why I use PAR LED spots for photography. I even have a 1000 watt Xenon stage spotlight for my primary studio shots, and its 20 feet away for best effect. The "pointy-er" the light the better. Top photo shoots involve both pointy spots and diffused fill lights at the same time.
Sometimes direct sunlight is easiest, and best for wood figure. This shot is from my PAR LED shop spots. Halogen shop lights work good too.

 

[golfer1]

Actually good photography is "the control of light" . If you can control the light, the photos will be great, no control, good luck.

 

[Frank Niro]

There's one I have immediately taken a liking too.
Frank

 

[scott.livesey]

get a couple of clip mount task lights https://www.gamut.com/p/clip-mount-...MIqfH50rfk1wIVGUwNCh0xsQMbEAYYASABEgJTtPD_BwE and some 100w equivalent daylite bulbs https://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips...wister-CFL-Light-Bulb-4-Pack-433557/204855102. a couple of clothes pins and an old white tee shirt if you want to diffuse the light to reduce glare. when not in use to take photos, the lights make great fill in lighting in the shop.

 

[Greenberg Woods]

Hey Frank, your inbox is full. Wanna send me an email?

There's one I have immediately taken a liking too.
Frank

 

[John Blazy]

Years ago in the 90's, when I used to build high-end furniture, I shot with single bulb spotlights exclusively to show the luster in the figure, and occasionally used fill lighting, but even that diffused the figure.