The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Watch Forum > General Topics > Picture & Video Gallery

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 6 February 2020, 11:39 PM   #1
donald83
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Singapore
Posts: 382
How do u take nice pics of your watches?

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?

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk
donald83 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 February 2020, 11:18 AM   #2
Naples09
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Real Name: Jim
Location: Naples, FL
Posts: 1,795
Use the macro function and a light box
Naples09 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 February 2020, 11:26 AM   #3
77T
2024 Pledge Member
 
77T's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: PaulG
Location: Georgia
Posts: 40,565
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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
__________________


Does anyone really know what time it is?
77T is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 February 2020, 10:05 AM   #4
Chadridv
2024 Pledge Member
 
Chadridv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Real Name: Chadri
Location: LI, NY
Watch: 116610LV
Posts: 11,322
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...













Chadridv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 February 2020, 10:26 PM   #5
RTG
2024 Pledge Member
 
RTG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: USA
Watch: Sky-Dweller
Posts: 2,417
Amazing pictures Chadridv.
__________________
Current Rotation: Explorer II 226570 White, Sinn 30.06, Sky-Dweller 326934 Blue, Deepsea Challenge 126067, Tudor FXD Red Bull Chrono
Wife's Rotation: GMT-Master II 126710BLNR Jubilee, Moser Heritage Dual Time, Swatch MoMa, Cartier De Santos
Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2019
RTG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 February 2020, 11:19 PM   #6
Razorsedge1
"TRF" Member
 
Razorsedge1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Miami Beach
Posts: 437
Quote:
Originally Posted by RTG View Post
Amazing pictures Chadridv.
Ditto!
Razorsedge1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 February 2020, 07:02 PM   #7
donald83
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Singapore
Posts: 382
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

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk
donald83 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 February 2020, 07:52 PM   #8
Tomas Eriksson
"TRF" Member
 
Tomas Eriksson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Stockholm
Watch: 15707CE
Posts: 1,979
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.
__________________
State of the union: 5066A,15400ST,15707CE,116610LN,26470OR and a few other…
Tomas Eriksson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17 February 2020, 12:00 PM   #9
vcabs68
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: NJ
Watch: Rolex 116610LN
Posts: 13
Wow amazing pictures, this thread has me 2nd guessing if i should even post my wrist shot now lol
vcabs68 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 February 2020, 01:01 PM   #10
Chadridv
2024 Pledge Member
 
Chadridv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Real Name: Chadri
Location: LI, NY
Watch: 116610LV
Posts: 11,322
Quote:
Originally Posted by donald83 View Post
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

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk
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.
Chadridv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 February 2020, 01:03 PM   #11
Chadridv
2024 Pledge Member
 
Chadridv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Real Name: Chadri
Location: LI, NY
Watch: 116610LV
Posts: 11,322
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomas Eriksson View Post
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!
Chadridv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 February 2020, 01:04 PM   #12
Chadridv
2024 Pledge Member
 
Chadridv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Real Name: Chadri
Location: LI, NY
Watch: 116610LV
Posts: 11,322
Quote:
Originally Posted by vcabs68 View Post
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.
Chadridv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 February 2020, 01:12 PM   #13
brandrea
2024 Pledge Member
 
brandrea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Brian (TBone)
Location: canada
Watch: es make me smile
Posts: 73,091
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

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk
brandrea is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 18 February 2020, 01:15 PM   #14
brandrea
2024 Pledge Member
 
brandrea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Brian (TBone)
Location: canada
Watch: es make me smile
Posts: 73,091
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chadridv View Post
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 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 22 February 2020, 01:53 AM   #15
keithl
"TRF" Member
 
keithl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Real Name: Onemoretime
Location: Atlanta
Watch: GMT Master II
Posts: 296
Quote:
Originally Posted by donald83 View Post
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?

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk
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
keithl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 February 2020, 01:31 AM   #16
maxboost7
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: S. Korea
Watch: Rolex Submariners
Posts: 34
damn such a beauty!!!
maxboost7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 April 2020, 04:52 AM   #17
Bluebirdwatch1
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Atlanta GA
Posts: 128
There are some apps you can use to get better pictures as well. Check out snapseed


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Bluebirdwatch1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 April 2020, 05:10 AM   #18
Ny325
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Traffic
Watch: DW-5600BB
Posts: 2,791
Nice shots.
Ny325 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 April 2020, 05:42 AM   #19
Tools
TRF Moderator & 2024 Patron
 
Tools's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 42,989
Way to blow-out somebody else's Thread.
__________________
(Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....)
NAWCC Member
Tools is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 April 2020, 06:07 AM   #20
Brew
"TRF" Member
 
Brew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Real Name: Larry
Location: Finger Lakes
Posts: 6,007
My nice pics, if any, are the result of luck and pretty watches. I take no credit for either.
Brew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29 April 2020, 09:07 AM   #21
JoseR
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Philly.
Watch: Air King, Omega AT
Posts: 2,143
Great pictures and watches....
__________________
Air King 116900
Omega AT41 Gray Dial/Leather
Oris Pointer Date Roberto Clemente LE
JoseR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29 April 2020, 11:59 AM   #22
Tape
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 173
You're not gonna learn it in a week, you have to do a lot of experimenting.
You have to put your time in
Tape is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 May 2020, 12:13 PM   #23
Polarexplorerii
"TRF" Member
 
Polarexplorerii's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: SA,TX
Watch: 16570,BLNR,116610
Posts: 2,160
geez... some nice pictures there!
Polarexplorerii is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 May 2020, 06:07 AM   #24
ColtFletcher
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Real Name: Tyler
Location: Southern Miss
Watch: Ref. 3729/1
Posts: 143
Amazing collection
ColtFletcher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 July 2020, 11:53 AM   #25
9minded
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Florida
Posts: 15
nice pics!
9minded is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 July 2020, 04:30 AM   #26
Steed
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 133
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.
Steed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 July 2020, 01:33 PM   #27
DeGuzzy
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 4
Awesome pics and thanks for the tips!
DeGuzzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 July 2020, 04:44 PM   #28
DJRikki
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Real Name: Ricardo
Location: Scotland
Watch: Rolex BLNR
Posts: 851
Last week I did an interview with Oris USA photographer Ty Alexander who gave some of his background and a few hints and tips too on watch photography.

http://www.scottishwatches.co.uk/202...eiko-and-more/

HTH
__________________
Watch Enthusiast
DJRikki is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 July 2020, 05:01 PM   #29
Andad
2024 Pledge Member
 
Andad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Real Name: Eddie
Location: Australia
Watch: A few.
Posts: 36,692
Loved the way he handled the watch with white gloves then rubbed the case back over the rocks?

The operation was a success but the patient died.

Some interesting information on lighting but ....
__________________
E

Andad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 July 2020, 02:06 PM   #30
Seddyspaghetti
"TRF" Member
 
Seddyspaghetti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Uranus
Watch: 116500LN
Posts: 4,622
Awesome photos!
Seddyspaghetti is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.