Anyone have any watch photo taking tips

[Michael M.]

Anyone have any watch photo taking tips?? Of like were to put watches, of lighting, etc. I'm trying to go for clear crisp detail shots. Also, my camera is a Cannon Rebel T2i

[MoBe]

If it`s a picture of a Rolex you can`t go wrong.

[caryyee]

Tip 1. Never use an iPhone or any other phone to take pics of your watch. You don't need an expensive DSLR, a camera costing $300-$500 is perfectly adequate for high quality pics of your watch that you can post on TRF! Just make sure it can take macro shots.
Tip 2. Tripod.
Tip 3. Tripod.
Tip 4. Tripod

[jackwebb]

If you dont have lighting use natural light! I have a $200 elph and it works fine for me, but lighting is key. and a tripod.

outside vs inside

[mottykytu]

Pratice and Pratice
But in my opinion, you should not use in-house light to take a picture
Should be taken under Sunlight
if not you must have this Led :

[roadcarver]

1. Good lighting, even a light box is good (surround the subject with white bristol boards back, left and right).
2. Tripod
3. Camera with Macro capability
4. When taking macro, use the timer so that any button actuation for engaging the shutter will not cause any motion blur.

Some examples... Taken with a coolpix 5700.

[Dan Pierce]

Natural lighting, check angles for glare, tripod, and practice, practice, practice.
dP

[kilyung]

Rodico or rub-off. Nothing kills a picture like lint or dirt in the frame.

[wantonebad]

From yesterday's thread:

Originally Posted by wantonebad

I found this article to be very interesting and could be a good read for you Macro Shots

[TWCNY]

If you don't have a light box use natural light if possible or a well lit area. Do NOT use flash as it will cause hot spots and glare.

[swissautopro]

Turn the macro on, and the flash off.

[azguy]

I heard using the timer helps, that way there is no shake from your finger pressing the "shoot" button...a tripod goes without saying

[SaddleSC]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Rodico or rub-off. Nothing kills a picture like lint or dirt in the frame.

That is what Photoshop is for!

[How]

Natural light. Zoom in to max zoom, or use a telephoto lens (minimum 100mm on a DSLR, however anything between 100mm-200mm is great). Do not use a wide angle lens as this will give it the 'fisheye' look and make the watch dial look like a big 'bobble head' doll.

Use a shallow depth of field so that only the watch is in focus. Foreground & Background to have that gorgeous soft blur.

Position the watch to prevent any glare in the main areas. Emphasise and make sure the key features of the watch show and stand out properly.

And set the time to the classic '10:11 and 31secs' time. Better still, 10:11 and 43 seconds so that none of the hands are obstructing the words on the dial (which I haven't done in my photo below woops).

Below is my photograph of my DSSD.

Have fun with it. Practise practise practise, and enjoy.

[Michael M.]

Thanks Guys!! Will be sure to try those techniques!!

[Jocke]

Hard work is the best teacher, it's hard to give advises because it depends on camera, lens and lights. Just experiment.

[JohnBoy]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Hard work is the best teacher, it's hard to give advises because it depends on camera, lens and lights. Just experiment.

But, but......you keep noting that all you have to do is buy the camera!

[How]

Originally Posted by How

Natural light. Zoom in to max zoom, or use a telephoto lens (minimum 100mm on a DSLR, however anything between 100mm-200mm is great). Do not use a wide angle lens as this will give it the 'fisheye' look and make the watch dial look like a big 'bobble head' doll.

Use a shallow depth of field so that only the watch is in focus. Foreground & Background to have that gorgeous soft blur.

Position the watch to prevent any glare in the main areas. Emphasise and make sure the key features of the watch show and stand out properly.

And set the time to the classic '10:11 and 31secs' time. Better still, 10:11 and 43 seconds so that none of the hands are obstructing the words on the dial (which I haven't done in my photo below woops).

Below is my photograph of my DSSD.

Have fun with it. Practise practise practise, and enjoy.

I forgot to mention that these techniques can be used with any camera, in any condition with any light source.