What's the best anti-static cleaner for watch photography?
Discussion
Not being a watch wearer myself I bought an inexpensive Seiko to practice on, and am finding it 'rather difficult' to get all the dust off it. It's a good camera with lots of megapixels and a good lens, and zooming in on the pictures is like examining it through a microscope.
The worst bit is the edge of the crystal where it's difficult to Photoshop out the dust that starts clinging to it as soon as I've cleaned it
BTW, if anyone in the Aylesbury area has a decent watch and would like a high definition picture of it please get in touch. I'll be happy to provide the pic in exchange for the right to use it in my portfolio. I'd like to have a go at a pen as well, on the same basis.
The worst bit is the edge of the crystal where it's difficult to Photoshop out the dust that starts clinging to it as soon as I've cleaned it
BTW, if anyone in the Aylesbury area has a decent watch and would like a high definition picture of it please get in touch. I'll be happy to provide the pic in exchange for the right to use it in my portfolio. I'd like to have a go at a pen as well, on the same basis.
singlecoil said:
Not being a watch wearer myself I bought an inexpensive Seiko to practice on, and am finding it 'rather difficult' to get all the dust off it. It's a good camera with lots of megapixels and a good lens, and zooming in on the pictures is like examining it through a microscope.
The worst bit is the edge of the crystal where it's difficult to Photoshop out the dust that starts clinging to it as soon as I've cleaned it
BTW, if anyone in the Aylesbury area has a decent watch and would like a high definition picture of it please get in touch. I'll be happy to provide the pic in exchange for the right to use it in my portfolio. I'd like to have a go at a pen as well, on the same basis.
It's a kind offer but it doesn't sound like you take very good photos. The worst bit is the edge of the crystal where it's difficult to Photoshop out the dust that starts clinging to it as soon as I've cleaned it
BTW, if anyone in the Aylesbury area has a decent watch and would like a high definition picture of it please get in touch. I'll be happy to provide the pic in exchange for the right to use it in my portfolio. I'd like to have a go at a pen as well, on the same basis.
ashleyman said:
Do you have any examples you can share?
This is the best result so far (I think I can do better though). The bit that's bugging me is the edge of the crystal, especially on the on the far side, 8, 9 o'clockish.If you click on the pic and then click again you will see the full size pic. Edited to add, that's not the full size, if you're interested you need to download it by clicking on the down arrow over on the right and choosing the largest version.
Seiko watch on black by Elliott and Nolan, on FlickrEdited by singlecoil on Friday 8th July 18:08
singlecoil said:
This is the best result so far (I think I can do better though). The bit that's bugging me is the edge of the crystal, especially on the on the far side, 8, 9 o'clockish.
If you click on the pic and then click again you will see the full size pic.
Are you sure that's dirt and not scratches on the chrome? If you click on the pic and then click again you will see the full size pic.
ashleyman said:
singlecoil said:
This is the best result so far (I think I can do better though). The bit that's bugging me is the edge of the crystal, especially on the on the far side, 8, 9 o'clockish.
If you click on the pic and then click again you will see the full size pic.
Are you sure that's dirt and not scratches on the chrome? If you click on the pic and then click again you will see the full size pic.
singlecoil said:
Yes, it's a brand new watch and I inspect it with a 12X loupe. I can then remove the dust but it reappears quite soon.
What about trying that stuff you can put on blinds and they become anti-static? Can't remember what its called now but surely any antistatic cleaning product sprayed on and buffed off would work?Is the dust on the watch or on/in the lens?
Why not get it as good as you can in-camera and then Photoshop out the last bits of dust? I wouldn't say that was cheating and it's what a product photographer would do.
ETA: The Seiko largely looks fine so don't worry too much. Bear in mind that unless it's printed billboard size or somebody's examining the original image full size on a monitor the imperfections won't be so noticable. As soon as it's stuck online with the associated shrinkage and compression they won't detract from the overall image.
ETA again: Also isn't it the imperfection which make each watch individual and therefore more beautiful anyway?
Why not get it as good as you can in-camera and then Photoshop out the last bits of dust? I wouldn't say that was cheating and it's what a product photographer would do.
ETA: The Seiko largely looks fine so don't worry too much. Bear in mind that unless it's printed billboard size or somebody's examining the original image full size on a monitor the imperfections won't be so noticable. As soon as it's stuck online with the associated shrinkage and compression they won't detract from the overall image.
ETA again: Also isn't it the imperfection which make each watch individual and therefore more beautiful anyway?
Edited by _rubinho_ on Monday 11th July 20:45
Edited by _rubinho_ on Monday 11th July 20:47
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