This began as another of John Daiek's understated emails: "Can you photograph a curved bench we made for Duke University?"
Curved bench? No problem. I can do a bench!
I was needing a chair to sit down on when I came into the presence of this 12-seated architectural wonder of a bench. All of its curved panels are veneered with eucalyptus and have a finish so silky smooth it deserves constant caressing. And there are at least two of them - others are in the works.
And they were in the middle of the woodworking shop. So I got three studio lights and two speedlights out to start revealing the beauty of it all. I spread around my trusty yards and yards of white fabric to provide an even background to work from, then on with the lights - raw, un-diffused lights very carefully directed - to make that woodgrain sparkle.
From the folding armrests to the structure of the overarching Gothic tracery to the wondrous veneer work, these little benches are destined to be award-winners.
