Advice on Lighting for Macro shooting of an old pocket watch

carrrlangas · 07-26-2013, 11:47 PM

Hi guys,
Today my uncle asked me if I could photograph one very old pocket watch (About a 100 years old!) so I took my M50/4 MACRO 1:2 and AFA 1.7x in case I needed to get closer (I haven´t been able to find affordable extension tubes yet!). I also used a polarizer filter to minimize reflections from the fluorescent desk lamp I used for lighting.
I think this is my main problem, how to set lighting and what type of light is better to use and exposing acordingly. I won´t buy a dedicated macro flash because I don´t do much macro. I don´t even have a normal flash yet!

I tried exposing to the right and post processed in LR4, abusing clarity and sharpness sliders after setting exposure as I think looks good.

I´d also like some critique on composition and any ideas for it.
Thanks for your imput.

**seventhdr** · 07-27-2013, 04:19 AM

Originally posted by carrrlangas

Hi guys,
Today my uncle asked me if I could photograph one very old pocket watch (About a 100 years old!) so I took my M50/4 MACRO 1:2 and AFA 1.7x in case I needed to get closer (I haven´t been able to find affordable extension tubes yet!). I also used a polarizer filter to minimize reflections from the fluorescent desk lamp I used for lighting.
I think this is my main problem, how to set lighting and what type of light is better to use and exposing acordingly. I won´t buy a dedicated macro flash because I don´t do much macro. I don´t even have a normal flash yet!

I tried exposing to the right and post processed in LR4, abusing clarity and sharpness sliders after setting exposure as I think looks good.

I´d also like some critique on composition and any ideas for it.
Thanks for your imput.

What you need is a lighting tent. It is small, boxy in shape with white semi-transparent walls and roof, with a hole at the front for the camera lens.

Put the object you want to photograph inside the tent, and put your lights/flashes outside the tend. The semi-transparent walls will diffuse the light going into the tent so you won't have the highlights you are getting from the direct lighting.

B&H sell many types - One example - Interfit Light Pod Medium "Cocoon" Shooting Tent

Regards

Chris

**JimJohnson** · 07-27-2013, 12:26 PM

At a minimum use a reflector to bounce softer light on to the watch; something at least as big as a letter or A4 size of white paper. But as seventhdr says - no direct lights, especially not with the watch crystal.

Fogel70 · 07-28-2013, 02:09 AM

If using tripod, you can try using only natural light in the room.

carrrlangas · 07-28-2013, 08:13 PM

Thanks for the advice guys! I will make a tent myself and give it another try.

07-26-2013, 11:47 PM	#1
carrrlangas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,761	Advice on Lighting for Macro shooting of an old pocket watch Hi guys, Today my uncle asked me if I could photograph one very old pocket watch (About a 100 years old!) so I took my M50/4 MACRO 1:2 and AFA 1.7x in case I needed to get closer (I haven´t been able to find affordable extension tubes yet!). I also used a polarizer filter to minimize reflections from the fluorescent desk lamp I used for lighting. I think this is my main problem, how to set lighting and what type of light is better to use and exposing acordingly. I won´t buy a dedicated macro flash because I don´t do much macro. I don´t even have a normal flash yet! I tried exposing to the right and post processed in LR4, abusing clarity and sharpness sliders after setting exposure as I think looks good. I´d also like some critique on composition and any ideas for it. Thanks for your imput.

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07-27-2013, 04:19 AM	#2
seventhdr Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,440	Originally posted by carrrlangas Hi guys, Today my uncle asked me if I could photograph one very old pocket watch (About a 100 years old!) so I took my M50/4 MACRO 1:2 and AFA 1.7x in case I needed to get closer (I haven´t been able to find affordable extension tubes yet!). I also used a polarizer filter to minimize reflections from the fluorescent desk lamp I used for lighting. I think this is my main problem, how to set lighting and what type of light is better to use and exposing acordingly. I won´t buy a dedicated macro flash because I don´t do much macro. I don´t even have a normal flash yet! I tried exposing to the right and post processed in LR4, abusing clarity and sharpness sliders after setting exposure as I think looks good. I´d also like some critique on composition and any ideas for it. Thanks for your imput. What you need is a lighting tent. It is small, boxy in shape with white semi-transparent walls and roof, with a hole at the front for the camera lens. Put the object you want to photograph inside the tent, and put your lights/flashes outside the tend. The semi-transparent walls will diffuse the light going into the tent so you won't have the highlights you are getting from the direct lighting. B&H sell many types - One example - Interfit Light Pod Medium "Cocoon" Shooting Tent Regards Chris

07-27-2013, 12:26 PM	#3
JimJohnson Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Summer:Lake Superior - Michigan Winter:Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,772	At a minimum use a reflector to bounce softer light on to the watch; something at least as big as a letter or A4 size of white paper. But as seventhdr says - no direct lights, especially not with the watch crystal.

07-28-2013, 02:09 AM	#4
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 3,062	If using tripod, you can try using only natural light in the room.

07-28-2013, 08:13 PM	#5
carrrlangas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,761 Original Poster	Thanks for the advice guys! I will make a tent myself and give it another try.