I’d venture to guess that a large number of Tindie sellers and customers like to document their projects, electronic or otherwise, for fame and “Internet glory.” Unfortunately, this means taking your hands off of whatever you’re working on to take a photo of it.
For a good “in action” shot, you’ll need to use a timer, somehow manipulate your camera and workpiece with one hand each, or have a dedicated photographer available. There are alternatives of course, and I personally use a voice-controlled GoPro Hero5 for most of my project documentation. Though I initially thought I’d never use that control feature, and it sometimes acts “hard of hearing,” it’s actually been extremely useful.
No way to get this shot without some setup.
This type of camera does have its limits though. I wouldn’t want to depend on voice commands for a critical shot, and though the GoPro is great for documenting generally, it’s not the best option for really precise shot control.
For this, you really want a DSLR. With a wide variety of lenses, mounts, and settings, there is really nothing better for photo documentation. But preparing your DSLR so it’s easy to use is key. Use the tripod-mount on the camera to set it up where you’re working so it’s ready and waiting for the right moment. The last piece of the puzzle is a shutter release. If you’re working with your hands, a foot pedal shutter release like this one means excellent in-action shots are only a foot tap away! As noted, this model can be customized to fit your particular camera.
