Composition By Jon Deck Creating a well-lit, properly-focused image of adequate resolution means little if the scene you’ve shot is unclear to the viewer. The composition of your photo needs to communicate to your audience. This is especially true of photos in a step-by-step series that instructs a how-to message. […]
Lighting By Jon Deck Temperature This does not refer to the heat created by a bulb, but the hue or color of the light produced from a light source. The most common problem I find in a series of photos is that the color will shift dramatically from shot to […]
Focus By Jon Deck In this age of digital manipulation, the computer can enhance and correct images in many ways. However, there’s no software program that can sharpen an image that is out of focus. The only way to assure a crisp image is to take one. Almost every digital […]
(No Willpower Needed) By Jon Deck I am constantly sought out to evaluate images that are sent to us by contributors. And the first thing I look for is the resolution of the photo. Many times we receive images that are far too low in resolution to meet the quality […]
Use inexpensive power tools to get a sharp edge fast By Mac Proffitt The goal in power sharpening is the same as hand sharpening—a sharp tool. But many people find power sharpening quicker and easier. Safety When you sharpen tools with power, you generate heat, sparks, and noise. Always wear […]
Mix your own dyes and stains By Robert Triplett and Bob Duncan It can be difficult to find the perfect dye or stain color for your project. Instead of searching the stores or settling for something other than what you envisioned, create the exact color you want. The Differences Between […]
From Doug Storment, San Antonio, Tex. Most carvers struggle to sketch an accurate centerline on an irregularly shaped band-saw cutout. I use a laser level—the type used to establish straight lines on walls. Mark the center in a few spots on the carving and aim the laser level so it […]
Speed up the roughing-out process by cutting three views with your band saw By Jim Willis I draw the front, top, and side views of my design on the carving blank. This way, I make sure all of the major points in each view line up with each other. Many […]
Quick and easy steps keep your knife ready to carve By Mac Proffitt A sharp carving tool is the first requirement for successful and happy carving. A dull tool will not produce clean cuts and creates a greater risk of injury. Fortunately, there is a simple method to sharpen […]
Creating modern decoys with vintage appeal By Tom Matus From humble origins with the American Indians more than 2,000 years ago, duck decoys are truly an American art form. The heyday of the wooden decoys started after the passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918—but the wooden decoys […]
