FIELD NOTE ·
Photograph silver without losing the detail
A repeatable way to show shape and surface while keeping bright reflections under control.
Make the light larger
Start beside a window with indirect daylight. Move the piece until the main reflection sits away from the detail you want to show. A plain light card outside the frame can make a dark edge easier to read. Keep the camera and the piece steady rather than raising the sharpening setting.
Keep an overall view
Photograph the entire piece before making close-ups. Include a side view so the object does not become a flat pattern. If a reflection hides a marking, change the angle and make another photograph. A strongly edited image can remove useful information about the actual surface.
Write down the limits
Describe what the photographs show, including wear and repairs you know about. Do not treat a bright finish, a stamp or a convincing macro photograph as authentication. Keep your lighting setup consistent when recording the same piece again, so changes in the photograph are easier to understand.