BartaCeramics
Studio journal

How to Photograph Pottery: Lighting, Backgrounds, and Glare

Pottery can be tricky to photograph. Curved forms catch reflections, glossy glazes create glare, and a busy background can pull attention away from the piece. These practical steps can help produce cleaner pottery photos.

Start with soft light

Lighting makes the biggest difference. Natural light near a window or indirect light outside can be a good place to start. Harsh light can create strong shadows and bright reflections on the glaze.

Move around the piece

Try a few versions from above, below, and eye level instead of settling on the first angle. Look for the view that best shows the form, texture, and color. A closer crop can also help when a detail is the main subject.

Keep the background simple

A neutral background lets the pottery do the work. White, black, neutral fabric, or plain paper can all work. The important part is removing anything that competes with the piece.

Control glare

Glossy pottery can be difficult to photograph. Adjusting the exposure or using a polarizing filter can help reduce reflections. A macro lens can help when the texture or a small glaze detail is the subject.

Take more than one shot

Compare several images before choosing one. A small change in the light, camera height, or angle can make a big difference, so it helps to make small adjustments and compare the results.

These are a few tools I've used to photograph my pottery: