I have always admired those great, clear and crisp product pictures of internet watch sellers. How hard can it be, I thought - well, not easy, to say the least!

Wanted to try myself, here are the results:







There is a story behind this timepiece, my grandfather brought it with him when he came back from USA in the 1910 or so after working there for several years. He was born in 1880's. My father was born in 1920. He got this watch from my grandfather and gave it to me when I was celebrating my 50th birthday. I never met my grandfather, he died well before I was born, already before the WWII.

So this watch may not be especially valuable, but is a kind of a memory to connect to.

Well, this was a kind of an invitation for you to show your best product shot, i.e. let me see your favourite timepiece, and maybe you have short story too

[davemdsn]

Very nice timepiece. There is a reason why this type of product is hard to shoot. Soft light would eliminate hard light spots on the metal, but would not show the detail as well. Hard light from the side would rake the light across the item, showing the depth and detail, but would cause hard reflections. The compromise would be slightly soft light from the side with very soft fill on the other side. This type of shot might also benefit from a little higher that usual sharpening in post. I shot my pocket watch once, it was tough and I never really got it where I wanted it.

[quickpix]

Great idea Gawan! I love product photography and watches! Heres my contribution to the thread:

1.



2.



ps: Its a fake btw haha.

[gawan]

Very nice timepiece. There is a reason why this type of product is hard to shoot. Soft light would eliminate hard light spots on the metal, but would not show the detail as well. Hard light from the side would rake the light across the item, showing the depth and detail, but would cause hard reflections. The compromise would be slightly soft light from the side with very soft fill on the other side. This type of shot might also benefit from a little higher that usual sharpening in post. I shot my pocket watch once, it was tough and I never really got it where I wanted it.

Hey davemdsn, thanks for sharing your tips about lighting!

Great idea Gawan! I love product photography and watches! [...] ps: Its a fake btw haha.

Fake or not, quickpix, I love your pics, really nice glow on the metal and the soft reflection on the glass in the second picture.

[barbosas]

I posted this recently in this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/18984-few-my-new-hobby-watches.html

[dbh]

Got this watch for my 25th wedding anniversary from my wife. Wear it every day.
I should photograph the back as you can see the gears inside through the transparent backside.
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dbh

[gawan]

Pornflake, just love the third shot of the Panerai, it really shows the depth of the space below the front glass! A beautiful watch.

dbh, thanks for the tip, namely I have an old Seiko which also have a rear window showing the engine. Should try to take a macro of it when I got the time, we'll see...

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Last edited by gawan; 01-31-2008 at 03:17 PM. Reason: typos

[m8o]

hehehe

We should see a lot of watches in the Weekly Challenge this week...it's 'Product Photos'.

[xs400]

I got this watch after working for the same company for 15 years. I don't wear it very often. I prefer to wear an old scratched up watch that my wife gave me many years ago.