Have you considered centimeter scales to indicate the sizes of  your ceramic 
sherds in the photos?

CENTIMETER SCALES NOW AVAILABLE

The National Park Service - Museum Management Program has designated R.E. 
Fellows Publishing as a source for the printing and distribution of plastic 
scales used to indicate object size in photographs. (The NPS has been unable 
to locate a source for the scales since the Government Printing Office 
discontinued them several years ago).

Now available, the scales are used by archaeologists, anthropologists, 
students, museum management, photographers, etc., and come in the two sizes 
used by the NPS-MMP: 12x2cm and 19x3cm and feature a new non-glare matte 
finish. The set of two scales is available for only $6.00/set including 
postage, and US$7.00/set for foreign orders.

Discounts available for large quantities.

Send order with check or postal money order (no credit cards) to:

R.E. Fellows Publishing
2014 Siegle Drive
Lemon Grove, CA 91945 USA
For additional information: [log in to unmask]



>I forgot to mention an old trick I learned many years ago when 
>photographing
> Spanish Majolica sherds. A professional photographer advised me to  use 
> black
> velvet as the backdrop because it absorbs light. This allows the light  on
> the ceramic to be more intense. I also used blue and purple velvet with 
> good
> succes. I have not tried this with a digital camera, but it is worth
> experimentation. Another technique is to use reflector screens to reduce 
> shadows  and
> even out the light.
>
> Ron May
> Legacy 106, Inc.
>
>
> In a message dated 11/6/2008 2:03:56 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> I have a  canon and a 50mm macro and I get good results, better than
> adapters or  extension tubes. Those work ok, especially if you are on a
> budget. The 105  lens would allow you to be a little further away and it
> could be better,  but I have never used one. The camera has to be very
> close to the artifact  to get a 1:1 ratio with a 50mm. I use tungsten
> lights rather than a ring  flash. But that is because I never had the
> bucks for a ring  flash.
>
> David McBride
> Wilbur Smith Associates
> Lexington, KY
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY  [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of paul
> courtney
> Sent: Thursday,  November 06, 2008 3:37 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: ceramics  photography
>
> Despite the impending recession I am considering splashing  out on a
> macro lens and ring flash for my Nikon D70s digital camera for
> photographing ceramics sherds. Has anyone any experience on using  either
>
> piece of equipment for this purpose  or would I be better  off using
> extension rings with my kit zoom lens. Also any thoughts on  focal length
>
> of lens - 105mm?
>
> paul  courtney
> leicester
>
>
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