When light-colored wood boards are placed together, they can all look alike. But seeing seven pieces sold under the name maple changes that impression. Some boards become wider toward the end, while others have edges that are almost straight. Looking first at the outline occupied by the material, rather than at the lines on the surface, makes the differences between the boards clearer. In these photographs, we examine the natural-edge boards and the square boards in sequence, beginning with their overall forms.
The Front and Side of One Board
On the front of the first board, one edge gradually widens outward. From a straight-on photograph alone, it is difficult to tell how thick the surface is. Moving to a photograph taken at an angle reveals the boundary between the surface and the side, along with the line curving toward the end. Viewing the photographs in this order makes it easier to distinguish the pattern on the broad face from the board’s actual shape.
The next board also has a natural-edge form, but the curve along its edge is different. A shape whose width changes slightly from top to bottom is difficult to find in a board cut with straight edges. On another long, narrow board, the length catches the eye before the width. Even within the single category of natural-edge boards, the orientation and proportions differ.
As length changes, so does the viewing distance
On the fourth board, dark lines are mixed intermittently into the light surface. This shows that the species name alone cannot predict where the pattern will be concentrated. The two longer boards must be viewed in their entirety before their end widths and curved edges can be compared. Starting with a close-up causes the long forms to disappear beyond the frame, leaving only the grain. When selecting material, it is better to look in this order: the whole board, one end, and then the side.
Placing It Beside a Square Board
The final maple board is square. Instead of the curved side profiles seen on the other boards, its four straight edges catch the eye first. In the angled photograph, the thickness is more distinct, while the close-up surface reveals lines flowing lengthwise. The difference in form gives more specific guidance about how to use the material than the shared quality of its light color.
These photographs document individual boards identified under the product name maple. The color on screen may differ from the actual material depending on the lighting during photography and the monitor. When selecting a board, it is more accurate to check, in order, the overall width and length, the curve of the edges, and the thickness seen from the side, rather than relying on a single color name.
