[WOODIE13]

Trial and error has taught me a lot. Tips from friends and lessons learned.
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For small stuff, most cameras have a macro setting or a flower setting. This allows the camera to focus at a closer distance so you dont get a blurry shot and is in perfect focus

Fill flash. there is a lightning bolt shaped icon on most cameras. it will go from auto , front curtain, rear curtain, off, and fill flash. Fill flash forces the flash to come on so it lights up the subject. Most of the time you will want to use this. If it is too much flash, hold a piece of paper over the flash and it will "soften" it a little.

If not using flash, a desk lamp or even a flashlight will help to illuminate the subject. Also, you can take the pic outside for the natural light to avoid the flash.

For paintings, drawings and burnings remember to not take them "straight on" with the flash. You need to take them at an angle so the flash ricochets off to one side .

A small tripod will do wonders for your pictures. get one that you can fit on the table or desk. They are real cheap at wally world. Use the self timer on your camera (most time the button looks like a clock or timer) this will prevent camera shake.


A dark piece of cloth or solid back ground will make your artwork really stand out. Hang it over a book or a chair back and frame your shot in front of it.

[Pyrographer]

Wow, some great pointers Woodie. It was also suggested to me by a professional photographer that doing it outside when the sun is not out will work best and help avoid shadows.

Personally I also found that if you take your photo before you apply the final finish it helps avoid the glare, especially if you use a finish with some gloss in it. I now use a satin finish which also helps with that.

Nedra