Photography and Project Documentation

A well-documented project is half the success. Whether you want to create a tutorial for others, show off results, or just remember the process for next time - quality photo documentation is key. We'll show you how to do it professionally.

Planning Documentation

Setting Goals

Types of documentation:

• Personal archive - for your own needs
• Social media - Instagram, TikTok, YouTube
• Tutorials - blog, magazine, book
• Portfolio - skill presentation

Adjust according to goal:

• Level of detail
• Number of photos
• Recording quality
• Editing complexity

Pre-production Checklist

Before starting the project:
□ Plan key phases
□ Prepare lighting
□ Clean workspace
□ Charge camera batteries
□ Prepare tripods/mounts
□ Plan shot angles

Composition Basics for DIY

Rule of Thirds in Practice

Object placement:

• Tools at intersections
• Horizons on thirds
• Vertical elements on sides
• Keep center free

Practical examples:

Board cutting:
- Saw on left third
- Board on right third
- Cut in center of composition

Assembly:
- Hands at intersections
- Joined part in center
- Tools as supplements

Shot Angles

Overhead shots:

• Perfect for tool layouts
• Material organization
• Process steps
• Mixing colors/adhesives

Detail shots:

• Tool holding technique
• Cut/joint quality
• Material textures
• Damage/problems

Wide shots:

• Entire project context
• Before/after shots
• Work environment
• Size relationships

Workshop Lighting for Photography

Daylight vs. Artificial

Using daylight:

• Most natural colors
• Best for wood textures
• Watch shadow contrasts
• Changes throughout day

LED panels for constant light:

• Daylight 5600K for natural colors
• Softboxes for soft shadows
• Intensity control
• Color filters for effects

DIY Softbox for $20

Materials:

• Cardboard box 16×16 inches
• White fabric/paper
• LED panel/bulb
• Aluminum foil
• Duct tape

Assembly:

1. Cut hole for LED
2. Line interior with foil
3. Stretch diffusion material
4. Test light uniformity

Process Photography Technique

Sequential Photography

Sequence planning:

Process: Wooden box construction

Step 1: Materials (overhead)
Step 2: Measuring (detail on ruler)
Step 3: Marking (pencil on wood)
Step 4: Cutting (saw in action)
Step 5: Processing (sanding)
Step 6: Assembly (gluing)
Step 7: Finishing (painting)
Step 8: Result (wide shot)

Consistent Angles

Template for repeated shots:

• Same camera position
• Constant lighting
• Uniform background
• Stable color rendering

Practical tip: Mark tripod position with tape on floor

Focus Stacking for Details

For maximum detail shot sharpness:

Process:
1. Tripod + manual focus
2. Series of photos with different focus
3. Software: Helicon Focus / Photoshop
4. Automatic blend into one sharp photo

Time-lapse Video

Time-lapse Planning

Time calculation:

Project: 8 hours of work
Target video: 2 minutes (120 seconds)
Required frames: 120 × 30fps = 3600 photos
Interval: 8h ÷ 3600 = 8 seconds/photo

Technical Solutions

Smartphone apps:

• Lapse It (Android)
• Hyperlapse (iOS)
• Camera FV-5 (professional)

DSLR intervalometer:

• Built-in timer
• External intervalometer
• Magic Lantern firmware

Action cameras:

• GoPro TimeWarp
• DJI Action time-lapse
• Garmin VIRB

Stabilization

For smartphone:

DIY stabilizer:
- Weight at bottom
- Gimbal mount
- Vibration dampeners
- Impact protection

Assembly example:

• Metal rod 16 inches
• Weight 7-11 oz
• Smartphone mount on top
• Total weight ~18 oz

Editing and Post-production

Basic Mobile Editing

VSCO Mobile:

• Professional filters
• RAW editing
• Color grading
• High-quality export

Lightroom Mobile:

• Computer synchronization
• Advanced tools
• Batch processing
• Cloud storage

Desktop Editing

Photo workflow:

1. Import RAW files
2. Basic exposure correction
3. Color grading (temperature, tint)
4. Local adjustments (brush tool)
5. Sharpening for output
6. Export in various formats

Video editing - DaVinci Resolve:

• Free professional tool
• Color correction
• Audio sync
• Title graphics
• 4K export

360° Documentation

360° Cameras for Workshop

Ricoh Theta V:

• 4K 360° video
• Compact size
• Live streaming
• Price: ~$320

Insta360 ONE X2:

• FlowState stabilization
• AI editing assistant
• Waterproof
• Price: ~$400

360° Shot Applications

Virtual workshop tours:

• Space organization showcase
• Interactive tutorials
• Remote consulting
• Marketing materials

Web implementation:

<!-- A-Frame.js for web VR -->
<a-scene embedded>
  <a-sky src="workshop-360.jpeg"></a-sky>
  <a-text value="Click on tool" 
          position="-1 1 -3"
          color="white">
  </a-text>
</a-scene>

Social Media Optimization

Instagram Strategy

Formats for different purposes:

• Stories: Behind the scenes (9:16)
• Posts: Final photos (1:1)
• Reels: Quick time-lapse (9:16)
• IGTV: Long tutorials (9:16)

DIY Hashtags:

General: #DIY #handmade #woodworking #maker
Specific: #czechwoodwork #czechdiy #diyproject
Trending: #satisfying #beforeafter #process

TikTok and Short Videos

Viral formats:

• Before/after transformation (3-7s)
• Failed attempts → success
• Quick tips and tricks
• Unexpected tool uses

TikTok editing tips:

• First 3 seconds = hook
• Quick cuts
• Trending music
• Text overlay

YouTube Long Tutorials

Video structure:

0:00-0:30 - Hook + result preview
0:30-2:00 - Materials and tools
2:00-15:00 - Step-by-step process
15:00-16:00 - Final result + tips
16:00-17:00 - Call to action

Advanced Techniques

Tool Macro Photography

Stacking for sharpness:

• Multiple photos with different focus
• Software composition (Helicon Focus)
• Extreme structural detail
• Marketing tool photos

Product Photography

Tool setup:

Background: Seamless paper sweep
Key light: Softbox 45° from left
Fill light: Reflector from right
Rim light: LED panel from behind
Camera: f/8-f/11 for sharpness

Stop Motion Animation

For educational purposes:

• Step-by-step animation
• Process emphasis
• Fun format
• Higher engagement

Technical process:

1. Tripod + intervalometer
2. 12-24 fps target frequency
3. Smooth movements between frames
4. Post editing in Dragonframe

Archiving and Organization

Structural System

Folder structure:

Projects/
├── 2025-01-15_Bookshelf/
│   ├── RAW_Photos/
│   ├── Edited_Photos/
│   ├── Videos/
│   ├── Time_lapse/
│   └── Final_Output/
├── 2025-01-20_Table/
└── Templates/

Metadata and Tagging

Adobe Bridge workflow:

• Keywords for searching
• Rating system (1-5 stars)
• Color labels for categories
• Copyright information

Cloud Backup Strategy

3-2-1 rule:

• 3 file copies
• 2 different media
• 1 offsite backup

Recommended services:

• Google Drive (15GB free)
• Dropbox (2GB free)
• Adobe Creative Cloud (100GB)

Legal Aspects

Copyright and Licensing

What to protect:

• Original photographs
• Video content
• Processes and techniques
• Brand materials

Creative Commons licenses:

• CC BY - attribution required
• CC BY-SA - share alike
• CC BY-NC - non-commercial
• All rights reserved

Model Releases

For shots with people:

• Written consent
• Commercial vs. editorial use
• Minor releases (children)
• Property releases (others' property)

Content Monetization

Direct Monetization

YouTube Partner Program:

• 1000+ subscribers
• 4000+ watch hours/year
• AdSense account
• ~$0.25-1.25/1000 views

Instagram Reels Play:

• Meta bonus program
• Based on views
• Geographic restrictions

Indirect Monetization

Affiliate marketing:

• Tool links
• Amazon Associates
• Specialized tool stores
• 3-8% commissions

Sponsored content:

• Brand partnerships
• Product placements
• Tool reviews
• Event coverage

Documentation ROI

Time Investment

Basic documentation:

• +20% project time
• 2-3 hours post-production
• 10-20 hour learning curve

Professional level:

• +50% project time
• 8-10 hours editing
• $800-4000 equipment investment

Return on Investment

Measurable benefits:

• Portfolio building
• Social media growth
• Possible income streams
• Knowledge preservation

Immeasurable benefits:

• Personal satisfaction
• Community building
• Skill development
• Creative expression

Future Trends

AI in Content Creation

2025-2026 expectations:

• Automatic editing
• AI voice-over
• Smart thumbnail generation
• Content optimization AI

VR/AR Documentation

Mixed reality tutorials:

• AR overlay processes
• VR immersive workshops
• Hologram assistants
• Spatial computing

Conclusion

Quality project documentation opens doors to new possibilities - from personal archiving to possible influencer careers. Start simple with your phone and gradually invest in better equipment as interest grows.

Remember: the best camera is the one you have with you. More important than perfect technique is consistency and authentic content.

Do you document your projects? Which platform do you prefer? 📸