How I Photograph My Mosaics: Capturing Sparkle and Detail
Mosaicing gives you endless opportunities for video—from cutting tiles to grouting, there’s always something to film.
But when it comes to selling mosaics, nothing beats a good photo.
The trick is capturing the sparkle, texture, and colour shifts that make mosaics special. That’s not always easy with a flat photo, but after a lot of trial and error, here’s how I do it.
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Lighting Is Everything
1. Two Lights for Indoor Sparkle
When photographing mosaics indoors, I use two lights positioned on either side of the camera.
This creates:
Balanced lighting with minimal shadows
Extra sparkle in the glass and tiles
A clear, vibrant image that shows off the mosaic’s depth
The sparkle is often better indoors with artificial lights, because you can control the angles and catch the reflective pieces just right.
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2. Outdoor Photos in the Shade
Photographing outside is another great option—natural light in the shade helps avoid harsh reflections or blown-out highlights.
But in my experience, outdoor shade doesn’t always give you the same level of sparkle as controlled indoor lighting.
It’s good for soft, even photos but not always for capturing shine.
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Why I Film Everything
Even though photos are key for selling, I still film as much of my process as possible.
Mosaic-making is tactile and visual, so video lets people see:
The shimmer of the tiles
The way light dances across the surface
The story of how each piece comes together
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Final Thoughts: Show Off the Details
A mosaic is more than just an image—it’s texture, light, and movement.
Learning to photograph (and film) my mosaics has helped me share that magic with people who might never see the piece in person.
If you’re selling art online, the way you photograph it is just as important as the piece itself.
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