Photo question for Jocke

[BTSinAustin]

I am amazed at the quality of you photos. What I really want to know is how you do your lighting? Maybe next time you do a shoot back up and take a few of your setup?

I have tried with a cheap light box setup with less than poor results. Metal just seems to be a real tough subject. Either the highlights are blown out or the overall image is flat.

[Remember2]

Although I'm not Jocke, I'll give my/an answer

First of all, you need to set the white balance - make sure that "white is white".
There after, forget about the build in flash. Use either an external flash (possibly bounce it of the wall or the ceiling), or even better use no flash - and instead the correct exterior lighting. You don't need a lightbox, but of course it helps.

Either way - you're best of with a tripod, and a pretty long shutter time. Make sure you get the correct exposure, by using the cameras manuel functions on shutter time and aperture - don't trust the automatics. Start with an aperture on about 15 (on an DSLR) and find the shutter time, that gives you the correct exposure. The closer you get, the higher aperture number you need, to give you a great depth of field (more of the watch in focus). Good luck


These, were made without a light box:

Aperture = F/22, Shuttertime = 10 sec, No Flash:


Aperture = F/22, Shuttertime = 1/180 sec, External Flash:

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by BTSinAustin

I am amazed at the quality of you photos. What I really want to know is how you do your lighting? Maybe next time you do a shoot back up and take a few of your setup?

I have tried with a cheap light box setup with less than poor results. Metal just seems to be a real tough subject. Either the highlights are blown out or the overall image is flat.

Thanks, here is my setup.



Jocke

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Amazing set-up, Jocke!

Thanks for sharing the description of how you post pics, Claus!

[f16570]

Now all I need is a fancy camera.
These guys make it look so easy.
Thanks for the great photos.

[JBat]

Originally Posted by f16570

Now all I need is a fancy camera.
These guys make it look so easy.
Thanks for the great photos.

With the proper lighting you don't need a fancy camera. If I'm not mistaken, Jocke himself uses a compact non-SLR Coolpix Nikon.

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by JBat

With the proper lighting you don't need a fancy camera. If I'm not mistaken, Jocke himself uses a compact non-SLR Coolpix Nikon.

Correct a Nikon CoolPix 4500. So the photographer needs to be fancy, not the camera.



Jocke

[BTSinAustin]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Thanks, here is my setup.



Jocke

So from the looks of the box you are using mainly bounced light? Nice setup.

[rpryan55]

Jocke - thanks for sharing the setup. I always wondered how you got those amazing, incredible photos. Can you share with us which camera you use for close ups, and which you use for, say, the trip you just took?

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by rpryan55

Jocke - thanks for sharing the setup. I always wondered how you got those amazing, incredible photos. Can you share with us which camera you use for close ups, and which you use for, say, the trip you just took?

I use the same for watches and for the trip. A Nikon CoolPix 4500.

Jocke