How can i capture the texture of peeling paint with lighting and aperture?

[Frank.J]

I’ve been trying to capture the subtle texture of peeling paint on an old door, but my shots keep coming out flat and lose all that fine detail. I’m wondering if I should be using a specific aperture or if my lighting is just too direct and harsh for this kind of subject.

[MichaelFL]

i shot peeling paint last winter and the texture came alive when i softened the light and used a smaller aperture to keep the tiny flaws sharp but the door still felt flat

[Benjamin92]

i tried harsh direct light and then a soft side light but the highlights and shadows just screamed and left the grain feeling blown out rather than textured

[David84]

one night i stood close and framed at a steep angle and the grain started to pop only when i moved away a bit then i got bored and wandered to another wall and forgot the door for a while

[Charles61]

do you think the issue is the lighting or is it something about the angle and distance