Thank you for your input LouVLuckily I do have the ability to try different f-stops. Slowly I am getting a better understanding of using them. The one idea you have that intrigues me is photographing them before I varnish them.
When I see the plaque on the LCD screen it is exactly what I want, but I can not replicate that view yet if I can at all. That is what has been the most frustrating. It seems if I get the color and depth of the lettering right, (the lettering is approximately 1/10 inch deep and painted black, the plaque is stained a medium brown), it looks blah, my scientific term for not having character. I see shots in magazines of similar items, like furniture and they have sharpness and reflection and character. A lot of this will be my learning by trial and error and a lot of input from all of you who know photography.

Thank you, I have moved back about 4 feet and messed with some setting and things improved, not there yet but working on it.

Thanks, I have done that and have gotten some improvement.

I don't know how to explain my concerns other than to say what you see in the photos in the current photos is not what you see with your eyes. Depth and detail, character and warmth, of the plaques, are missing. I realize that cameras can not match the human eye, but I have seen good photos that make an item stand out Perhaps, I need to put them where the background is more pleasing, perhaps on a stand or something that displays them rather than just showing their detail. With that being said, they are still not representative of how they really appear.
Attached are a few shots that I did several years ago for my Etsy site. My plaque designs have improved from these but I wonder if I am working in the wrong direction?
I am just trying to get some good photos for the website I am trying to build. Perhaps I need a mixture of both types of photos, to display them close up and as seen in these shots in a natural display like setting. Both of the shots here were taken about 4 feet from a window that was perpendicular to their location, all natural light no filters, no special setup because I didn't know how to use Fstops, Shutter speeds or ISO adjustments. Just whatever the auto setting produced.
The third shot here was similar conditions,(taken over a year ago) except I took it on a wall where all the earlier shots last week were taken. Again, just using auto settings.

Displayed on top of a piece of furniture


Also on top of a piece of furniture.

With all the input I have been able to improve on my pictures, not there yet, but so much better. Photography and cameras have always been a black science to me. I will include a file of one of the improved shots. I moved away from the plaque about 4' or so, changed to ISO 200, used F2.8 S 1/1.6 with overhead lights on (recessed incandescent 60 w) overhead and off to my left. It was too dark in the room without some light. Earlier I took some shots ISO 200 F4 S 1/1.3 which looked pretty good but were darker, I haven't attempted to paint shop them so I may be able to improve the images if I get some time.
The second one is closer to the actual item, but there is no indication of it having a sheen and it is less sharp. However, I have learned a lot thus far in these exercises especially with all of your inputs that helped me better understand this black magic.

I am not looking for perfect, just representative of what my plaques really look like.

Thank you again, all of you for your inputs any more thoughts are appreciated. Trying to learn how to make a website as well so it is a busy time.

As a side note, I have Corel PaintShop 8 for cleaning up my shots.

ISO 200 F2.8 S 1/1.6 overhead lights on


ISO 200 F4 S 1/1.3 ambient light only

Thank you for that information. I will try at a further distance and try the settings you used as a starting point. I have been reading up on aperture, shutter speeds and ISO, all confusing, but I am slowly getting a better understanding. Your comment was very enlightening and gave me some insight.
Once a good picture is taken, from that distance, will cropping it to a suitable size mess up the clarity of the results?

I will try that, thank you.

I also found that the plaques were not rectangular but bowed out in the middle.
My son suggested I use my smartphone, which I did, but I also found my Samsung tablet took better pictures, just now need to make an adapter to mount on the tripod.

I think I will take a plaque to a camera shop and discuss with them the least expensive way to get the images I need.

The plaques top was about 1/8 to 3/16" from the wall, whereas the bottom was flush with the wall.
I am wondering if I took the shots further from the location and then cropped them would that help?

Thank you for your input. Too bad I got rid of my SLR years ago as I was not using it.

My name is Ken and I live in Ohio. I came to this site to hopefully resolve some problems I have with the shots I am taking. The problem is I have no clue as to how to resolve them and it is difficult to even describe the problem. I will attach one shot that may help in understanding what I am up against. I make custom and standard plaques and clocks from hardwood. I built a CNC machine to do the engraving and cutting of the items. I think my workmanship is pretty good and I am trying to sell it on several websites such as Etsy and one I am building now. The plaques are stained with a medium to a darker shade of phoenix Minwax stain and then several coats of gloss varnish are put on. The plaques are pretty reflective so I have had a problem with lighting so the glare is not too bad. Trying to use natural light if possible, but winter time is not a good time to get a lot of that.
The problem(s) that I am dealing with this time around are:

Crispness (sharpness) of the image.
The image appears to bow out toward the camera and the edges are distorted.
Lettering blurs on the left and right side
Anchor does not seem as crisp as they are on the actual plaque
Surface seems to be washed out and is not the same shades as the item being photographed.

I used one 60 watts LED bulb in a reflector pointed up toward the ceiling. I have a very light colored (pale blue) sheet hung about 8 feet from the wall where the items are hung for photographing. The sheet blocks the raw light coming in from a window which causes much glare on the items. The camera is on a tripod and there is a 2-second delay for the shutter. The camera lens is about 16" from the object. The camera is a Nikon Coolpix P100.

I have tried many settings and have not been happy with any of them. If I could get some pointers in setting up for the shot, lighting, and settings on the camera, I would be most appreciative.
Thank you,
Ken Hall

Sample of problem