Ross' pictures of his beautiful boat pointed out one problem photographing shiny boats. The glare off the varnish often obscures the wood.

If you are interested in taking a picture which really shows off your woodwork to best effect what you need is a polarizing filter for your lense. A polarizing filter only lets in light polarized in one direction. The light reflected off the varnish is polarized in a direction dependant on the angle of reflection so the filter blocks most of this glare so you can see the wood below the varnish.

When you attach the polarizing filter you will be able to rotate it. Turn the filter until most of the glare disappears and take the picture. It is amazing the difference this will make in your pictures.