Watch Photography

[philohlean]

Evening everyone!

I tried my hand at grabbing some photos of my BLRO, OP39, and BB58 but struggled to come up with variation in angles/shots. I have yet to dabble in the macro-photography sphere, which I suspect is the ideal approach for horological photography.

Curious what, if any, approaches are out there that I am not thinking of? Wrist shots vs. laying on a table? Would love to see examples, especially if anyone has creative ideas that involve natural lighting and non-studio conditions.

Cheers!

[fskywalker]

I prefer wrist shots versus posed pictures


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[dpt.calvin]

https://instagram.com/fakecarsrealwa...d=jgq36731ubqz

https://instagram.com/a_collected_ma...d=zbi15b35h9qz

https://instagram.com/watchrookiee?igshid=79db36hk1b5q

https://instagram.com/rolexdiver?igshid=3sxm8uz34oh

[dpt.calvin]

Just remember that this is a hobby. Hobbies are supposed to be fun.

Snapped this quickly. A little OOF/soft, but just wanted to have fun. :)

[jerryguo]

Originally Posted by dpt.calvin

Just remember that this is a hobby. Hobbies are supposed to be fun.

Snapped this quickly. A little OOF/soft, but just wanted to have fun. :)

great shots, love the 16710!


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[m j b]

I've found watch photography to be very challenging, because of the shiny surfaces, the relatively small size of the object, and difficulty "posing" it. And I can't take pictures with my real camera one-handed, it's too big and heavy.

I use a 105mm macro lens on a tripod. Inside, outside, whatever, it's just a matter of trying different things and see what works for you. As mentioned above, it's a hobby for most of us (phtography) and should be approached that way.

Also, playing with lighting. For example, this one, taken in the dark with a flashlight to illuminate the subject.

[jcatral14]

Get a Leica Q2. Will do everything you need for photography. Careful tho, slippery slope

[VK1984]

Great shots. It is so much harder than you’d ever think.

Look up Bark & Jack on YouTube. Adrian had some good videos on there about watch photography specifically.

[brandrea]

I'm no photographer, but for my quick snaps the car always provides the best light. Restaurants work too

20190627_075636.jpg20180324_161423.jpgIMG_20181118_161825_255.jpg

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[borispolk]

Honestly, when it comes to macros it doesn't really matter which brand/lens you choose. All are almost the same quality. If you would go super-macro it's a different story, because there you get the real challenge of keeping things in focus. Tried it myself, but I can tell you it requires some patience :)

[Polarexplorerii]

nice pics!

[Goose 104]

I like a mixture of wrist shots, composition, macro, lume

https://www.instagram.com/watchgnosis/

[sutats]

To use natural light it will almost certainly have to be done outdoors and away from any structures living or artificial since any attempt to harness the natural light from indoors or otherwise will almost certainly catch reflections on the sapphire window or on the polished aspects of a watch.

You may draw inspiration or better responses at Rolex Watch Gallery: https://www.rolexforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4

[JParm]

If there's one thing I'm horrible at photographing, it's watches...great shots, gents!

[C0d]

[QUOTE=philohlean;11080478]



I like what you did.

You are making me miss the OP39. Something tells me its going to be a classic for collectors someday.

Its so much classier than the new 41 double batons.

[mgd55]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I'm no photographer, but for my quick snaps the car always provides the best light. Restaurants work too

Attachment 1185800Attachment 1185801Attachment 1185802

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That blue sandwich dial is so killer, and with the domed crystal you’ve got all kinds of possibilities. I think that’s an easy one to get a good shot of. Might have to grade you on a curve lol


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[mgd55]

Originally Posted by Goose 104

I like a mixture of wrist shots, composition, macro, lume

https://www.instagram.com/watchgnosis/

Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it—really nice shots and some nice watches too. Thanks for sharing all those. Gotta love the imperfections that always show up in macro...


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[Brainh18]

[Goose 104]

Originally Posted by mgd55

Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it—really nice shots and some nice watches too. Thanks for sharing all those. Gotta love the imperfections that always show up in macro...


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Thanks so much, that is very kind of you and I appreciate the encouragement. More shots are on my Instagram.

I know what you mean about the macro shots - you have to be brave if you are a perfectionist! I must admit I was a little shocked when I saw all the micro scratches and tiny tarnishing on the case and crown of my Advisor other day - pic below - but then I though who cares you can't see it on the wrist! The watch is special to me and I'm never selling it so it doesn't matter!

[dpt.calvin]

Originally Posted by jcatral14

Get a Leica Q2. Will do everything you need for photography. Careful tho, slippery slope

Terrible advice.

This is coming from someone who currently owns an M2, M3, M4, M6, M7, MP, M10.

I love Leica. I want the new Q2 Monochrom. But telling someone to buy a Q2 and saying it’ll do everything is just wrong. Plenty of better options. And for less money, too.

[mgd55]

Originally Posted by Goose 104

Thanks so much, that is very kind of you and I appreciate the encouragement. More shots are on my Instagram.

I know what you mean about the macro shots - you have to be brave if you are a perfectionist! I must admit I was a little shocked when I saw all the micro scratches and tiny tarnishing on the case and crown of my Advisor other day - pic below - but then I though who cares you can't see it on the wrist! The watch is special to me and I'm never selling it so it doesn't matter!

Ha—I’m all for the “imperfections” caused by the user bc scratches are personality imho. It’s more the manufacturer imperfections (dials, finishing, dust inside, a microscopically non-flush index marker, etc) that I find intriguing. It’s an almost impossible task to be perfect under that much magnification.


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[C0d]

I think what some don't recognize is that in Photography light is everything. Its more important than the subject and the composition. You can have a poor subject, an okay composition but if the lighting is correct it will make the shot.

There is a saying in photography,

"Amateurs worry about equipment, professionals worry about money, masters worry about light".

[Atone]

Originally Posted by Goose 104

I like a mixture of wrist shots, composition, macro, lume

https://www.instagram.com/watchgnosis/

man, these are amazing shots!

[zadams917]

I read this thread as "watch pornography" and the content is not far off. Well done gents

[dpt.calvin]

***Formal request that people do not quote posts with 67898767 pictures lol.

[philohlean]

Originally Posted by dpt.calvin

https://instagram.com/fakecarsrealwa...d=jgq36731ubqz

https://instagram.com/a_collected_ma...d=zbi15b35h9qz

https://instagram.com/watchrookiee?igshid=79db36hk1b5q

https://instagram.com/rolexdiver?igshid=3sxm8uz34oh

Thanks for sharing these! Also love the shots, I dig the stand, especially given the 'lesser moonwatch' status of the GMT

Originally Posted by fskywalker

I prefer wrist shots versus posed pictures


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Agreed!

Originally Posted by m j b

I've found watch photography to be very challenging, because of the shiny surfaces, the relatively small size of the object, and difficulty "posing" it. And I can't take pictures with my real camera one-handed, it's too big and heavy.

I use a 105mm macro lens on a tripod. Inside, outside, whatever, it's just a matter of trying different things and see what works for you. As mentioned above, it's a hobby for most of us (phtography) and should be approached that way.

Also, playing with lighting. For example, this one, taken in the dark with a flashlight to illuminate the subject.

Fully agreed, I did not mean to indicate that photography is anything other than a hobby for me but I have a lot more experience with other subjects and figured I could use some inspiration! Thanks for the feedback!

Originally Posted by jcatral14

Get a Leica Q2. Will do everything you need for photography. Careful tho, slippery slope

Will have to check that out!

Originally Posted by VK1984

Great shots. It is so much harder than you’d ever think.

Look up Bark & Jack on YouTube. Adrian had some good videos on there about watch photography specifically.

Thank you very much! I felt like the potential for bland/repetitive shots is high so I really like what dpt.calvin did with the 'props' as such to give it some visual intrigue.

Originally Posted by brandrea

I'm no photographer, but for my quick snaps the car always provides the best light. Restaurants work too

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Haha I definitely would be doing more in-car photos if I were driving even half as much as I used to. Look forward to returning to that possibility.

Originally Posted by borispolk

Honestly, when it comes to macros it doesn't really matter which brand/lens you choose. All are almost the same quality. If you would go super-macro it's a different story, because there you get the real challenge of keeping things in focus. Tried it myself, but I can tell you it requires some patience :)

Duly noted, the world of macro-photography is very foreign to me so I have a lot to learn.

Originally Posted by Polarexplorerii

nice pics!

Thanks (if directed at me), and I agree (if directed at others)!

Originally Posted by Goose 104

I like a mixture of wrist shots, composition, macro, lume

Lume shots are definitely something I'd like to try out at some point! Thanks for sharing, some great shots in here!

Originally Posted by sutats

To use natural light it will almost certainly have to be done outdoors and away from any structures living or artificial since any attempt to harness the natural light from indoors or otherwise will almost certainly catch reflections on the sapphire window or on the polished aspects of a watch.

You may draw inspiration or better responses at Rolex Watch Gallery: https://www.rolexforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4

Cars are my most frequent subject so my proclivity to natural lighting is essentially only due to familiarity, and I love the warmth offered by certain settings (such as the sunset shot of the GMT II). I tried to use natural light indoors and can confirm it's less than ideal. Didn't know about that section of the forum, will definitely check it out!

Originally Posted by jpeezy14@hotmail.com

If there's one thing I'm horrible at photographing, it's watches...great shots, gents!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by C0d

I like what you did.

You are making me miss the OP39. Something tells me its going to be a classic for collectors someday.

Its so much classier than the new 41 double batons.

Thank you very much! I really love my OP39, especially the red grape dial. It's such a subtle refinement, and weirdly I actually like that most of the markers are devoid of lume.

Originally Posted by dpt.calvin

Terrible advice.

This is coming from someone who currently owns an M2, M3, M4, M6, M7, MP, M10.

I love Leica. I want the new Q2 Monochrom. But telling someone to buy a Q2 and saying it’ll do everything is just wrong. Plenty of better options. And for less money, too.

Any suggestions you'd offer for a 5DMkIII? I am all about the budget friendly options, especially if my use is essentially limited to fawning over a watch

Originally Posted by C0d

I think what some don't recognize is that in Photography light is everything. Its more important than the subject and the composition. You can have a poor subject, an okay composition but if the lighting is correct it will make the shot.

There is a saying in photography,

"Amateurs worry about equipment, professionals worry about money, masters worry about light".

Very true!

Originally Posted by zadams917

I read this thread as "watch pornography" and the content is not far off. Well done gents

Haha thank you!

Originally Posted by dpt.calvin

***Formal request that people do not quote posts with 67898767 pictures lol.

Think I managed to do a multi-quote and successfully eliminate all of the photos


Thanks to all who have replied to the thread! Great photography content in here.

[VonSomething]

I was actually thinking if we shouldn't get one of these threads going! :-)

Here are a few recent shots I took for my IG. I'm in no way a professional. I have a cheap Sony A6000 with two of the cheapest primelenses you can buy.

What I've learned is that lighting and colorgrading is everything.

Let me know what you think of these:

[alphadweller]

Nikon are affering free online classes until the end of the year.

https://www.nikonevents.com/us/live/...school-online/

[maromewatches]

Originally Posted by VK1984

Great shots. It is so much harder than you’d ever think.

Look up Bark & Jack on YouTube. Adrian had some good videos on there about watch photography specifically.

Can you please share the link of the video? I don't seem to find it.

[maromewatches]

Originally Posted by VonSomething

I was actually thinking if we shouldn't get one of these threads going! :-)

Here are a few recent shots I took for my IG. I'm in no way a professional. I have a cheap Sony A6000 with two of the cheapest primelenses you can buy.

What I've learned is that lighting and colorgrading is everything.

Let me know what you think of these:

NICE ones.