FIELD NOTE ·
Show embroidery with side light
Placement, thread texture and the surrounding fabric all belong in the same visual record.
Keep the placement visible
Start with the entire garment laid out naturally. Add a medium view that shows where the embroidery sits in relation to seams and edges. Avoid stretching the fabric to make the pattern look flatter. The surrounding material can explain puckering that disappears in a tight crop.
Change the direction of light
Use soft light from the side to show the relief of the thread. Make an additional view from the opposite direction if a shadow hides a detail. Keep the white balance and exposure consistent. Strong filters can make different thread colours or surface wear appear more uniform than they are.
Describe visible changes
Include loose threads, repairs and worn areas when they are present. Do not cut a thread or alter the piece merely for a cleaner photograph. An archive caption should distinguish what you see from what you know about its history. Stitch appearance alone is not an authentication result.