The Camera Knows Real Wood

and the bench that proved it

signature system Recipe Kim (launching soon)

Am I the only one who obsesses over the perfect tabletop to photograph and film on?

I'm not sure what it is or how. But the camera knows real wood.

I 'needed' a bench for overhead video tutorials. One that wouldn't make me wince at the footage. I had an IKEA bench that I quite like in person, but the camera sees it differently.

So I went down the workbench rabbit hole, and landed on butcher block.

Home Depot had one for under $200. Unfinished Hevea, new to me as a wood. So heavy and solid it took two people to move it. Loaded up. To the studio I went.

Next rabbit hole. How to finish it.

After much back and forth, I decided on walnut stain. Wood conditioner first, then stain, then Varathane.

It was still freezing here, so mostly windows closed. Oil-based in the winter, not a great idea. The odor lingered for two weeks. I even developed what I'll describe as a fairly uncomfortable allergic reaction. Puffy left eye for days.

John is the patient one. The perfectionist. Very much the man for the job. I have the ideas. He does the work.

While he prepped, then stained, I was hovering, and checking, slightly panicking… asking chat whether the walnut would get more orange with each coat.

Chat said.

Honest answer… yes. Then babbled on about Hevea wood and 'do you want me to give you some other choices?'

I'm like, no! We decided on walnut. Remember. You’re the one who suggested it.

Ugh.

I kept repeating to John, we can always flip it over. John insisted we give it a few coats, then the finish, and then see what we thought. I agreed, but not without uncertainty.

He was RIGHT. It’s perfect. When the Varathane dried, I was completely thrilled.

As a photographer, wood tone is everything. And this was right. Warm and rich and real.

The bench was under $200. The stain and finish cost more than the bench itself. I used the IKEA Mittback trestles, which I love.

Absolutely worth it.

What I Didn’t Expect

I wanted this bench for overhead video tutorials. That is not what I use it for.

I photograph there. I style things there. I journal there. The old IKEA bench I'd never really loved became the overhead station, and this walnut surface became something I never knew I needed.

A very beautiful analog addition to a studio full of beautiful analog things.

Would I do anything differently? Probably not.

The oil-based stain in winter was rough, but the finish was so right I think I'd take the puffy eye again.

This is a pattern I've noticed in myself. I follow the inspiration, and sometimes it reveals itself in a way I never expected.

A bench for tutorials became my new favourite corner of the studio. Grateful ♡

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Until next time… Happy beautiful new week.

xx Kim

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MVP STUDIO WABI-SABI LINE STYLE

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