How do u take nice pics of your watches?

[donald83]

I always see really nice close up pics of the watches and there is no reflection of the camera. Anyone can teach a trick or 2?

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[Naples09]

Use the macro function and a light box

[77T]

Part of the answer is a light box and the rest is understanding a lot about depth of field, aperture reciprocity, and reflective angles.

Even in a light box the lens of the camera can often be seen reflected in a polished case side, or a crystal. So you need to properly plan your set-up and light source angles.


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[Taylorgold]

Originally Posted by 77T

Part of the answer is a light box and the rest is understanding a lot about depth of field, aperture reciprocity, and reflective angles.

Even in a light box the lens of the camera can often be seen reflected in a polished case side, or a crystal. So you need to properly plan your set-up and light source angles.


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Well explained...thanks for sharing.

[Chadridv]

I actually work in photography and video production. While I do it professionally I don't specialize in jewelry or watches, but being that I'm probably more passionate about watches than I am my actual job lol, I love taking pictures of them. When I have time and feel inspired I will dedicate some time and energy. As Paul mentioned, but in other words, it's all about light diffusion. You generally don't want harsh and direct light on your subject (unless that's your intent as an artist). That means using light boxes, soft boxes or bouncing your light source off walls.

Here's a little trick to make night time scene come to life...



Here are some other photos (sorry no behind the scene shots)

It also helps to flag the light so you get interesting shadows and reflections in the polished materials. Meaning, if you have a light box, try placing a few thin black strips around the sides so it's not just one ring of even shine around the whole watch...



Using interesting (but not distracting) backgrounds...




Props can be helpful...


and again props that are also good backgrounds lol...


Here's another in front of a computer monitor...



Beautiful subjects is always a plus haha...


Play around with flat lays and interesting compositions...


Create objectives that highlight your watches attributes...


Again try to figure out a way to keep the light soft but powerful...


But the best quick tip, especially for a beginner is to use your iPhone and shoot from the inside of your car under the cover of it's roof. a cloudy but bright day is even better! It's hard to miss...

[ColtFletcher]

Amazing collection

[shamzk2]

Great shots

[DavidRT]

Wow; this is pretty great of a set up and I hadn't thought about using a computer monitor as a nice backdrop... may have to try this out myself. When I was shooting a lot of watches (I had a tiny watchblog back a few years ago) I was using a pseudo lightbox that I created with an IKEA desk, a lot of white styrofoam and white pieces of paper in front of any desk lamps I had. Worked great and a huge plus with having a Macro lens that forced me to really clean the heck out of the watch before shooting since you could see individual dust particles on the crystal. Highly suggest something other than a smartphone for shooting since it gives you much more control on focal length and shutter speed which gives you the coveted lume shots.

Originally Posted by Chadridv

I actually work in photography and video production. While I do it professionally I don't specialize in jewelry or watches, but being that I'm probably more passionate about watches than I am my actual job lol, I love taking pictures of them. When I have time and feel inspired I will dedicate some time and energy. As Paul mentioned, but in other words, it's all about light diffusion. You generally don't want harsh and direct light on your subject (unless that's your intent as an artist). That means using light boxes, soft boxes or bouncing your light source off walls.

Here's a little trick to make night time scene come to life...

[FrenchBigCrown]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

I actually work in photography and video production. While I do it professionally I don't specialize in jewelry or watches, but being that I'm probably more passionate about watches than I am my actual job lol, I love taking pictures of them. When I have time and feel inspired I will dedicate some time and energy. As Paul mentioned, but in other words, it's all about light diffusion. You generally don't want harsh and direct light on your subject (unless that's your intent as an artist). That means using light boxes, soft boxes or bouncing your light source off walls.

Here's a little trick to make night time scene come to life...



Here are some other photos (sorry no behind the scene shots)

It also helps to flag the light so you get interesting shadows and reflections in the polished materials. Meaning, if you have a light box, try placing a few thin black strips around the sides so it's not just one ring of even shine around the whole watch...



Using interesting (but not distracting) backgrounds...




Props can be helpful...


and again props that are also good backgrounds lol...


Here's another in front of a computer monitor...



Beautiful subjects is always a plus haha...


Play around with flat lays and interesting compositions...


Create objectives that highlight your watches attributes...


Again try to figure out a way to keep the light soft but powerful...


But the best quick tip, especially for a beginner is to use your iPhone and shoot from the inside of your car under the cover of it's roof. a cloudy but bright day is even better! It's hard to miss...

Thanks for the tips/info... and the photos... fantastic.

[RTG]

Amazing pictures Chadridv.

[Razorsedge1]

Originally Posted by RTG

Amazing pictures Chadridv.

Ditto!

[donald83]

Nice. Pics Chadridv. The problem I have is trying to take a full frontal shot but can't seem to avoid capturing the reflection of my phone. Not sure how other guys do it

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[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by donald83

Nice. Pics Chadridv. The problem I have is trying to take a full frontal shot but can't seem to avoid capturing the reflection of my phone. Not sure how other guys do it

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Thanks! Full frontal had me chuckling lol.

So if you have a newer iPhone with a telephoto lens, try shooting from a further distance. That should help with the reflection. Otherwise if you're serious about it, you'll have to wrap in something dark that blends in. No joke, I've done it. Especially when shooting multiple watches it's extremely difficult to eliminate a reflection. When shooting one watch there typically is one perfect angle regardless of distance from the watch.

[Tomas Eriksson]

Thank you @Chadridv for the behind the scenes photo. You are tempting me to get out my trusty D800 and sigma art-lenses and try your setup with a monitor behind.

Have you concidered sharing wallpaper sized images? 3840x2400 and 3840x2160 would make for amazing 4k and macbook pro wallpapers.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Tomas Eriksson

Thank you @Chadridv for the behind the scenes photo. You are tempting me to get out my trusty D800 and sigma art-lenses and try your setup with a monitor behind.

Have you concidered sharing wallpaper sized images? 3840x2400 and 3840x2160 would make for amazing 4k and macbook pro wallpapers.

Thanks very much! Get that cam out and start shooting

I've had several members reach out to me in the past and ask me for full res images for their desktop wallpaper. I've always been happy to share!

[vcabs68]

Wow amazing pictures, this thread has me 2nd guessing if i should even post my wrist shot now lol

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by vcabs68

Wow amazing pictures, this thread has me 2nd guessing if i should even post my wrist shot now lol

Let's see it!!! Good thing is these watches are so beautiful it's usually harder to take a bad picture.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Let's see it!!! Good thing is these watches are so beautiful it's usually harder to take a bad picture.

You are a talent for sure I also follow your IG and encourage others to do the same.

[brandrea]

As Chad said above... for us non professional types, smart phone from inside the car works best.

I never knew why but thank you for explaining that Chad

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[keithl]

Originally Posted by donald83

I always see really nice close up pics of the watches and there is no reflection of the camera. Anyone can teach a trick or 2?

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Low light, fast lens. If you have a good/decent quality camera that works well in low light just start removing light and opening the iris/increasing ISO until it looks right. Most modern cameras don't need much light. Or go outside on an overcast day.

These pics were taken virtually in the dark: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=718526

[maxboost7]

damn such a beauty!!!

[Bluebirdwatch1]

There are some apps you can use to get better pictures as well. Check out snapseed


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[Ny325]

Nice shots.

[Tools]

Way to blow-out somebody else's Thread.

[Brew]

My nice pics, if any, are the result of luck and pretty watches. I take no credit for either.

[JoseR]

Great pictures and watches....

[Tape]

You're not gonna learn it in a week, you have to do a lot of experimenting.
You have to put your time in

[Polarexplorerii]

geez... some nice pictures there!

[9minded]

nice pics!

[Steed]

Could those that use an iPhone explain how to stop the attached image being displayed in the post turned 90 degrees on its side. Many thanks in advance.