The how to photograph watches thread
Discussion
andy_s said:
Once I'd pulled my head out of the clouds I started reading up on micro 4/3rds cameras, and I think, that's where my money will go next...
I have the lumix g1, a nice camera but the range of lenses is limiting. AFAIK there's just the two available, which I have. Also not so good in low light conditions.Tilt shift is where the plane of focus is tilted across the picture, and it creates a very particular DOF effect where the area all around the area of focus (rather than just in front or behind it) is out of focus. As Andy says, it can create a weird effect much like miniaturisation.
It is traditionally achieved with a special lens which literally tilts on a flexible mount, but can also be done electronically very easily. There's a great iPhone app called TiltShift which lets you play around with the effect.
It is traditionally achieved with a special lens which literally tilts on a flexible mount, but can also be done electronically very easily. There's a great iPhone app called TiltShift which lets you play around with the effect.
I'm on a pretty tight budget at the moment, so sadly can't afford a macro lens or fancy lights, but this is the sort of thing I'll typically get:
(Nikon D50 with the Lens that came with it when new, cheap set of macro tubes, florescent desk lamp and wobbly mini tripod, on timer)
One problem I consistently have is my images looking too cold. Not sure if this is a white balance issue or if it can't be avoided with a lamp of my type, but the following is after I de-saturated the blue hues in Gimp:
You can see that even at this not particularly close range I have DoF issues, with the dial being clear, but the scratches on the case being ill-defined.
The following are of a Smiths stopwatch I'm working on at the moment. I don't know who "serviced" it before, but it stands as a fine example of why the Squirt of WD-40 Method isn't to be reccomended. At least it wasn't in danger of rusting!
Crud sticking to everything= shorter life for the watch. Ironically, due to oil being everywhere, capilliary action actually draws oil away from the places where it really needs to be and increases wear.
And here we see it sticking the coils of the hairspring together. This stopwatch was counting a minute in under 36 seconds (!), and required a shake to get it going, since the coils had pulled the balance so far out of beat.
But again- though these shots are great for documenting what I'm looking at- they're too cold looking for, say, a sales image. Could this be fixed with a simple lamp swap? Or should I just get better at image editing?
(Nikon D50 with the Lens that came with it when new, cheap set of macro tubes, florescent desk lamp and wobbly mini tripod, on timer)
One problem I consistently have is my images looking too cold. Not sure if this is a white balance issue or if it can't be avoided with a lamp of my type, but the following is after I de-saturated the blue hues in Gimp:
You can see that even at this not particularly close range I have DoF issues, with the dial being clear, but the scratches on the case being ill-defined.
The following are of a Smiths stopwatch I'm working on at the moment. I don't know who "serviced" it before, but it stands as a fine example of why the Squirt of WD-40 Method isn't to be reccomended. At least it wasn't in danger of rusting!
Crud sticking to everything= shorter life for the watch. Ironically, due to oil being everywhere, capilliary action actually draws oil away from the places where it really needs to be and increases wear.
And here we see it sticking the coils of the hairspring together. This stopwatch was counting a minute in under 36 seconds (!), and required a shake to get it going, since the coils had pulled the balance so far out of beat.
But again- though these shots are great for documenting what I'm looking at- they're too cold looking for, say, a sales image. Could this be fixed with a simple lamp swap? Or should I just get better at image editing?
Edited by glazbagun on Sunday 10th October 16:58
Backgrounds....no one's mentioned them yet.
Eg. Diving watch - something diving related in the background, strapped around diving equipment or place the watch on an old map.
chrono - old car brochure/magazine cover.
ladies dress watch - beside other jewelry.
Diamond encrusted Daytona - on a (slightly out of focus) pile of cash.
Eg. Diving watch - something diving related in the background, strapped around diving equipment or place the watch on an old map.
chrono - old car brochure/magazine cover.
ladies dress watch - beside other jewelry.
Diamond encrusted Daytona - on a (slightly out of focus) pile of cash.
I always liked 'Jocke's work.
Here's his website...
http://www.watchwallpapers.com/
A Glasshute for Andy Tims.
One for you Seadweller fans.
Here's his website...
http://www.watchwallpapers.com/
A Glasshute for Andy Tims.
One for you Seadweller fans.
ThatPhilBrettGuy said:
rottie102 said:
The second one is brilliant! One of those "Damn, why didn't I think of it?!
"
Just get good at photoshop. It's not real (the water anyway). "
I only started taking watch photos because of the wrist check thread, so mine are mostly wrist shots.
The most important thing that I have learnt is just take loads of photos. Quickly snap off 70 or so shots and if you're lucky 2 or 3 might be ok.
A tripod is really useful when photographing indoors.
Watch out for your own silly face reflecting off the dial
The most important thing that I have learnt is just take loads of photos. Quickly snap off 70 or so shots and if you're lucky 2 or 3 might be ok.
A tripod is really useful when photographing indoors.
Watch out for your own silly face reflecting off the dial
NeMiSiS said:
andy_s said:
You get some interesting results when you start playing around, I was trying to highlight the lume colours and it turned out looking quite cool I thought.
If I may add this in here, I did a separate post, but I thought that I would also include it in here. I like the long posts, keep them up. I was a bit inspired by this sub section and also TZ-UK to get some kit, and below is the result. I think they are ok. A bit cheesy with the snow, but hey ho.
I treated myself to a new D90 with a macro extension tubes, so I thought that I would get some watches out of the collection and try to take a few photos.
The I thought I would post a few on here. I am torn between here and the Photography section
I haven't got a light box etc so I thought a snow covered table outside would provide a decent setting. F'ing cold though!
DSC_0423 by pie_consuming_fool, on Flickr
DSC_0410 by pie_consuming_fool, on Flickr
DSC_0380 by pie_consuming_fool, on Flickr
DSC_0369 by pie_consuming_fool, on Flickr
DSC_0344 by pie_consuming_fool, on Flickr
I treated myself to a new D90 with a macro extension tubes, so I thought that I would get some watches out of the collection and try to take a few photos.
The I thought I would post a few on here. I am torn between here and the Photography section
I haven't got a light box etc so I thought a snow covered table outside would provide a decent setting. F'ing cold though!
DSC_0423 by pie_consuming_fool, on Flickr
DSC_0410 by pie_consuming_fool, on Flickr
DSC_0380 by pie_consuming_fool, on Flickr
DSC_0369 by pie_consuming_fool, on Flickr
DSC_0344 by pie_consuming_fool, on Flickr
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff