When photographing hand-made ceramics, start with an honest representation of the piece’s form and surface. Consider the clay’s natural color and any glaze variations, which reveal lineage and technique. Lighting is the compass here: soft, diffused light sculpts gentle shadows that reveal curvature, while a controlled highlight traces edges and lip contours. A light from the side can emphasize matte textures and fingerprint marks, whereas a brighter, more frontal approach can unify a glaze’s sheen. Set up a stable, simple backdrop that won’t distract from the object. A modest reflector or foam board can refine contrast without overpowering the ceramic’s quiet personality.
Texture is the language ceramicists speak most clearly in photographs. Observe every micro-variation—pitting, slip trails, brush marks, and glaze ripples. To bring these textures forward, experiment with sidelighting at a shallow angle, so ruts and file marks cast delicate shadows. A macro lens helps resolve grain and micro-gloss, letting the viewer feel the clay’s tactile weight. Keep color balance faithful; extreme saturation can erase tactile cues. If the piece carries signature textures, photograph at multiple distances. Include tight crops of edges and form transitions so viewers sense mass, weight distribution, and the potter’s hand in the making.
Rich textures require patient lighting and thoughtful context.
Context matters as much as form in ceramic photography. Surround the object with elements that reflect its use or origin, but avoid clutter that competes with the piece. Wooden boards, linen cloth, or a simple ceramic stand can create a narrative of utility and care. The arrangement should feel deliberate rather than staged. Consider color harmony between the background and the ceramic’s glaze; a complementary palette can enhance mood without stealing focus. If the pot’s role is ceremonial, stage it near related artifacts or tools used in its creation. Small props should evoke a story that enhances appreciation, not distract from the technique.
Photograph ceremonies of craft through deliberate camera settings. Shoot with a moderate aperture to balance depth of field and detail, then adjust ISO to keep noise low in the shadows. White-balance should reflect the piece’s true hues, so test at least two presets before locking your choice. A tripod stabilizes long exposure or careful focus pulls on textured surfaces. When possible, shoot tethered to a monitor to judge color, texture, and edge sharpness in real-time. Capture a sequence: a wider view, a mid-shot of form, and close-ups of finger marks or glaze runs. These angles together tell a complete story of making, using, and appreciating.
Lighting the studio, props, and texture to tell a handmade story.
Craft-centric photography benefits from a slow, methodical approach to posing. Place the ceramic on stands that lift it into a flattering plane of light, avoiding glare from glossy surfaces. Experiment with draped fabrics to create soft shadows and a sense of scale, keeping the textile selection understated. The goal is to hint at the potter’s studio environment without revealing clutter. Document tonal transitions across glaze sections—where a crackle or a dusted surface may appear—so viewers sense the glaze’s chemistry. Finally, shoot with a shallow layer of vignetting in post or in-camera to focus attention on the form rather than the periphery.
The narrative of a handmade piece often surfaces through paired objects. Consider pairing the ceramic with tools used in its creation: a wooden rib, a sponge, or a trimming tool. Such items establish authenticity and place the work within a process timeline. Position these props to frame significant features—lip, belly, foot—without crowding the composition. A monochrome prop set can provide contrast that makes glaze color pop, while a textured surface prop can echo clay roughness. Take care to maintain balance between object and backdrop, ensuring the eye moves naturally from form to texture to context.
Studio lighting, staging, and close work illuminate handmade craft.
Close-up portraits of ceramics require meticulous attention to edge definition. Use a lens with slight compression to maintain a natural perspective while preserving fine surface detail. Focus stacking can yield ultimate sharpness from lip to base, revealing the hidden fingerprints of the maker. Experiment with small, directional light sources positioned to highlight micro-texture—dust, devitrification lines, or glaze pooling. Color grading in post should honor the original warmth of the clay and the glaze’s personality. When possible, capture the piece with a human touch in the frame, such as the potter’s hands or a hand-built tool, to connect maker and object.
Environmental photography expands the viewer’s understanding of a piece’s life. Photograph ceramics in a setting that echoes how they might be used or displayed, such as a table by morning light or a shelf illuminated by ambient room lamps. Pay attention to narrative details: a cup with steam rising, a bowl set for serving, or a vase beside a potted plant. Subtle storytelling can elevate the image beyond a static product shot. Ensure color fidelity remains consistent across environmental shots by using the same white balance and light quality across frames. The viewer should feel invited to reach out and touch the image as if feeling the glaze.
Consistent, thoughtful editing preserves craft storytelling through light and texture.
When composing a still life with ceramics, symmetry can be a strong choice or a deliberate counterpoint. Decide whether you want a balanced, orderly look or a dynamic, asymmetrical arrangement that suggests spontaneity. In either case, keep a clean surface and controlled reflections. Use flags or black cards to control glare on shiny glaze surfaces, and deploy a reflector to soften harsh lines. A gentle, even wash of light across the scene helps unify disparate elements. Shoot a few frames with slight shifts in angle to document how reflections move on the glaze as light shifts, revealing different tonalities and surface details.
Post-processing should enhance authenticity, not erase it. Begin with a neutral base, correcting exposure and white balance to reflect the ceramic’s true character. Avoid over-sharpening; textures benefit from subtle clarity adjustments that preserve natural edges. Local adjustments can emphasize the most engaging features—lip profile, foot ring, or glaze crackle—without altering the overall mood. If the image includes context props, ensure their tones remain supportive rather than dominant. Final color grading can dial in warmth or coolness to suit the story, but consistency across the shoot is essential for a cohesive portfolio.
The craft of ceramic photography rests on consistent technique across shoots. Develop a standard set of lighting angles—three-quarter side light, back light for separation, and a soft overhead fill—to reproduce recognizable aesthetics. Use a stable white balance target in view of each setup, then adjust in post with minimal, precise corrections. Document your settings for future sessions so you can reproduce the same mood and texture. Consider shooting a color reference card with each piece to verify glaze color accuracy later. A well-documented workflow saves time and fosters a reliable, repeatable look.
Finally, build a personal archive that reflects your evolving relationship with handmade ceramics. Label images with the maker, the glaze type, and the firing method, along with notes about lighting and props. Curate your collection to tell a layered story: form, texture, context, and use. Over time, your photography will capture subtleties that once felt invisible—the whisper of a glaze on a curve, the footprint of a potter’s wheel, the place a piece holds in a room. Share this journey publicly to invite dialogue about technique, materiality, and the human touch behind every object.
