Improve Your Smartphone Photography Skills
So often, a nicely turned piece of woodturning (or any product from any craft, really) is horribly let down by a bad photograph. It’s a shame that after possibly hours of work, pieces are not shown off well as they deserve with a decent photo that could be taken and edited in just a handful of minutes.
How many people are going to see your finished piece in your home? 20?, 50 perhaps, if you include friends and family. They are the lucky ones to see your piece for real. Potentially thousands of people will see it if you share a photograph of it on social media though . . . why let your hard work down with a ‘snap’ rather than a decent photograph?
In this series of lessons, former professional photographer (and current professional turner!) Martin Saban-Smith takes you through his simple to follow rules that you can use to take great pictures of your work – using nothing but the built-in camera on your smartphone, and the native editing app. The lessons can also be used with a DSLR or compact camera and edit on a desktop computer.
Using different turned pieces, learn some of the techniques Martin uses for different types of photograph: Outside, ‘In-Context’, Your Workshop, Using Pillow Cases and Light Boxes and of course, a bit of editing.
Each lesson features video of the photos being taken, with commentary of exactly what Martin is looking for in the shot, as well as a screen recording of what the phone is seeing.
It’s not only on selling sites that you photos and work will look fantastic – use those photos in your favourite social media groups and your own pages to get more likes and comments, too.
By implementing the rules and guidelines demonstrated in this lesson, you will be able to take and edit fantastic, natural looking photographs with just your smartphone and a few tweaks in editing.
A relatively modern smartphone
A tripod, but it’s not 100% necessary
The native camera
The native editing app
Your home
Your Garden
You Will Need
Most modern smartphones have a built in camera, and if it has a second ‘zoom’ lens, all the better.
This series uses a four-year-old Samsung Galaxy S21. The terminology used is similar to that of Apple or other manufacturers. If it differs, you will need to check the terminology used in your phone.
Meet Your Tutor
Martin Saban-Smith is a member of the Register of Professional Turners and has been sharing his turning on social media since 2014. He is also a woodturning teacher and is the founder of the popular Hampshire Sheen range of finishes.
Take This Lesson
Join Martin for over 70 minutes of video lessons to help you improve your photography using nothing but your smartphone.