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When you photograph dark, glossy ceramics, the first step is to establish a neutral, distraction-free setup. Choose a plain background in a shade that contrasts gently with the piece, avoiding stark whites that can wash out highlights. Place the object on a small riser to create a shallow shadow that grounds it. Use a diffuse light source to wrap soft reflections across the glaze, preventing pinpricks of glare. If you don’t own a light tent, improvise with a light-diffusing shade or a white curtain between the lamp and the ceramic. A tripod stabilizes the frame for consistent captures across shots.

Positioning and camera settings are equally critical. Shoot with a moderate aperture to keep the glaze details crisp without sacrificing depth of field. In manual mode, set a low ISO to preserve texture and minimize noise. Focus carefully on the most reflective area of the glaze where color and depth are most evident, not on the brightest highlight. Use a remote shutter or timer to avoid camera shake. If you’re comparing tones, shoot in RAW and plan to adjust white balance during editing rather than in-camera, which reduces the risk of color shift.

Begin by controlling reflections with a light tent or a translucent diffusion panel. The diffusion should be large enough to bathe the piece evenly, creating gentle, even highlights along the contour. Position the camera so the main reflections travel across the glaze rather than into the lens. If you cannot diffuse light sufficiently, angle the piece slightly away from the light source to break direct glare. Use polarizing effects sparingly—some glazes respond well, others exhibit strange color shifts. Check your histogram after each shot; you want a balanced exposure that preserves the glaze’s intrinsic depth. Finally, avoid strong colored lighting that might bias the perceived hue of the ceramic.

Editing should be light and precise, aligning the image with real life. Start with a neutral white balance and compare to a gray card to ensure accuracy across tones. Correct only what is necessary: subtle contrast adjustments can reveal texture, while too much saturation can overstate the glaze’s warmth. Noise reduction is often helpful in darker photos, but apply it judiciously to preserve fine brushwork and micro-patterns in the glaze. If you notice chrome-like reflections, retake the shot with adjusted diffusion. Remember, the goal is an honest representation of depth, nuance, and finish, not an over-polished photograph.

A light-on-surface approach can emphasize the material’s tactile quality. Use a shallow, continuous light from the side to emphasize the glaze’s reflective character, but supplement with a second diffuse source to fill any hollows. A neutral bounce card held near the base can soften shadows without dulling color. For darker glazes, consider slight warm-toned lighting to mimic natural indoor illumination; avoid cool blues that render the surface flat. The final image should convey the ceramic’s body color, the glaze’s complexity, and any color shifts produced by movement in the glaze itself. Take multiple angles to capture the three-dimensional form.

Consider the environment beyond the object. A plain, non-reflective surface under the piece reduces clutter and unintentional tinting from the scene. Use controlled backgrounds, such as a matte board or fabric with minimal texture, to prevent competing lines. If you want context, place a single, subdued prop at a respectful distance to imply scale. Consistency across shots matters for catalogs or portfolios, so standardize your lighting and camera distance as you rotate the piece. Finally, protect your gear from accidental glare by switching off window light or using blackout curtains during daylight shoots.

When you shoot a series of pieces, keep a fixed baseline for white balance and exposure. Create a simple shot list that notes each glaze, form, and temperature, so you don’t rely on instinct alone. Use the same tripod height and camera-to-subject distance for each photograph, then vary the angle to highlight different attributes, such as rim detail or body curvature. Document the setup in a brief caption for future reference. If you’re comparing a batch, incorporate a color checker to verify accuracy across days or seasons. Consistent, well-documented images help potential buyers understand the true tone and finish of each piece.

Advanced techniques can elevate a dark, glossy finish without overprocessing. Consider layering light by using two diffusers with slightly different temperatures to reproduce nuanced warmth and depth. A gentle backlight around the rim can separate the piece from the background and emphasize form. When possible, shoot with a tilt or perspective that mimics how the ceramic would be seen in real life. This approach makes the glaze’s variation more legible, especially on pieces with subtle color shifts. Always compare the results to your original, ensuring the photograph respects the craft’s authentic aesthetic rather than presenting an aspirational but misleading version.

In post-processing, preserve natural textures by masking and selective sharpening rather than global enhancement. Begin by aligning and cropping to your standard frame while maintaining proportional margins. Correcting color should be incremental: adjust white balance first, then refine shadows and highlights to recover lost detail in the glaze without washing it out. If a glaze appears too dark, lift midtones slightly rather than brute-force brightening. Texture preservation is essential for glossy surfaces—avoid heavy clarity boosts on the glaze, which can create an unnatural plastic look. Subtle micro-contrast can help reveal brushwork and kiln marks that define the piece’s handmade quality.

Color accuracy remains paramount across devices. Calibrate your monitor regularly and use soft, consistent lighting during review to avoid misinterpretation. When sharing online, export a color-managed JPEG or a TIFF with embedded profiles, so others see comparable results. If you notice a hue drift when viewed on different screens, reassess white balance and luminance in your workflow. Document the exact camera settings used for the original capture; this transparency helps others reproduce the tone and finish faithfully. The aim is faithful reproduction, not dramatic transformation.

Before final delivery, perform a last pass on exposure across the full range of tones. Inspect every corner of the frame for unexpected reflections or hotspots and adjust if needed. Validate that the glaze’s color and gloss correspond to the actual piece under typical viewing conditions. Ensure the background remains unobtrusive, allowing the ceramic to command attention through form and surface interaction. If you’re building an online shop, crop to web-friendly dimensions without sacrificing essential details. Consistency across product images conveys professionalism and helps buyers assess finish quality at a glance.

In practice, mastering dark, glossy ceramics requires patience and iteration. Regularly review your catalog of shots to identify patterns in glare and color that you can mitigate in future sessions. Seek feedback from fellow ceramicists to gauge whether finish and tone are represented accurately. Over time, you’ll develop a repeatable routine: diffuse light, stable camera settings, thoughtful angles, and careful editing that honors each piece’s unique glaze. The payoff is clear images that invite viewers to connect with the craft, appreciate the glaze’s complexity, and trust the photographer’s commitment to truth in representation.