Abstract A very old watch

SunnyG. · 08-31-2018, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by MossyRocks

That is pretty much the real color. I dare not polish it because that does take away some value. Sterling silver will get a yellowish then black patina, and after 161 years it has had time to develop a good patina.

Wow I didn't know! Thank you for telling me! The watch looks beautiful and so does your picture!

Ignacio-S · 08-31-2018, 07:14 PM

Originally posted by MossyRocks

Looking for general feedback. I know the blurred writing is distracting but other than that looking for suggestions.
This is the back of a very old womens silver pocket watch about 45mm in diameter that has been in my family since it was purchased new.
Camera: K-3
Lens: 28mm SMC Takumar on an 11mm extension tube
F/8
ISO 100
4s
Flash bounced off of the ceiling

My camera bag was behind the watch but decided to partially bail on so it uncovered the writing on the black shoe box. I do plan on constructing a proper backdrop and surface for doing this in the future so I am aware of that issue.

I like the illumination and focus. I miss the top part.

**Schraubstock** · 09-05-2018, 06:57 AM

Like stated by others, top is a bit crammed.
Too dark, unless this is absolutely what you wanted but you have some doubts otherwise you would not have posted it here. I suggest two possibilities.
The last image is probably the correct colour.
Cheers

**MossyRocks** · 09-05-2018, 08:15 AM

Originally posted by Schraubstock

The last image is probably the correct colour.

I think you took a bit too much yellow out of the second one.

Originally posted by Schraubstock

Too dark, unless this is absolutely what you wanted but you have some doubts otherwise you would not have posted it here.

I post pictures here because I barely seem to know what I am doing most of the time. Friends and family think I take pretty good photos but compared to others here I have a long ways to go. I decided that I wanted to get better at taking pictures and figured getting feedback from others would be a good way as it gives me feedback on how I can improve. I liked the darkness of the original but that was probably because it brought out the yellowing on the silver more, that and I tend to like dark images probably to a fault.

taktoon · 10-30-2019, 06:55 AM

Great colors and subject. It only needs more space (above) to breathe.

aitrus3 · 12-23-2019, 10:14 AM

Originally posted by MossyRocks

Looking for general feedback. I know the blurred writing is distracting but other than that looking for suggestions.
This is the back of a very old womens silver pocket watch about 45mm in diameter that has been in my family since it was purchased new.
Camera: K-3
Lens: 28mm SMC Takumar on an 11mm extension tube
F/8
ISO 100
4s
Flash bounced off of the ceiling

My camera bag was behind the watch but decided to partially bail on so it uncovered the writing on the black shoe box. I do plan on constructing a proper backdrop and surface for doing this in the future so I am aware of that issue.

Not sure what blurred writing you're talking about. I don't see anything. This is a lovely image and it's a beautiful watch. I wonder, would it be possible to get the watch face along with the back detail? That's the only thing about this: without you telling me I couldn't tell it was a watch.

Sight1 · 12-23-2019, 06:46 PM

Originally posted by MossyRocks

Looking for general feedback. I know the blurred writing is distracting but other than that looking for suggestions.
This is the back of a very old womens silver pocket watch about 45mm in diameter that has been in my family since it was purchased new.
Camera: K-3
Lens: 28mm SMC Takumar on an 11mm extension tube
F/8
ISO 100
4s
Flash bounced off of the ceiling

My camera bag was behind the watch but decided to partially bail on so it uncovered the writing on the black shoe box. I do plan on constructing a proper backdrop and surface for doing this in the future so I am aware of that issue.

I would attempt a shot with a natural stone or rock element to compliment the minerals and age of the watch, and its rather old well used patina, black cloth or velvet in the photo could be altered with the natural stone base as well. Might add a tease to the attractive watch face. Interesting piece. Being a womans watch i would even try a small glass surface or mirror to add reflections as water would, adding to the elemental emotions of a womans watch piece.

Last edited by Sight1; 12-23-2019 at 06:52 PM.

**MSL** · 12-23-2019, 07:06 PM

There is a lot of detail in the design, so an image that was brighter overall would be more appealing to me as I'd see more of the fine details.

**Apet-Sure** · 12-25-2019, 10:07 PM

There is a lot about this image that I like. I think the bronze color and lighting is very appealing. It doesn't look like you were shooting with mixed color temperature light sources. I might have gone for a slightly lighter exposure, but that's just personal taste. I also might have used a white card/piece of paper to re-bounce some of the ceiling light onto the bottom edge of the watch, but that might be tricky to accomplish. The missing part of the watch at the top does bug me. It removes some of the main subject of the image. I would try to see if I could include in the frame as much of the chain as possible, including the frayed rope end. It's part of the story, the history, of this venerable old timekeeper.

08amczb · 12-29-2019, 04:26 AM

Nice image!

pentaxshooter89 · 12-29-2019, 03:14 PM

Nicely done, agree to post #2.

swanlefitte · 01-02-2020, 08:18 PM

with soo much room below I dislike the top being cut off. The detail is captured nicely though. There is a dark spot about 12:15, is this really darker or lighting? Wish this was clear.

09-05-2018, 06:57 AM	#18
Schraubstock Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,386	Like stated by others, top is a bit crammed. Too dark, unless this is absolutely what you wanted but you have some doubts otherwise you would not have posted it here. I suggest two possibilities. The last image is probably the correct colour. Cheers Last edited by Schraubstock; 10-27-2018 at 10:52 PM.

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08-31-2018, 10:55 AM	#16
SunnyG. Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 428	Originally posted by MossyRocks That is pretty much the real color. I dare not polish it because that does take away some value. Sterling silver will get a yellowish then black patina, and after 161 years it has had time to develop a good patina. Wow I didn't know! Thank you for telling me! The watch looks beautiful and so does your picture!

08-31-2018, 07:14 PM	#17
Ignacio-S Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Vancouver Posts: 36	Originally posted by MossyRocks Looking for general feedback. I know the blurred writing is distracting but other than that looking for suggestions. This is the back of a very old womens silver pocket watch about 45mm in diameter that has been in my family since it was purchased new. Camera: K-3 Lens: 28mm SMC Takumar on an 11mm extension tube F/8 ISO 100 4s Flash bounced off of the ceiling My camera bag was behind the watch but decided to partially bail on so it uncovered the writing on the black shoe box. I do plan on constructing a proper backdrop and surface for doing this in the future so I am aware of that issue. I like the illumination and focus. I miss the top part.

09-05-2018, 08:15 AM	#19
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982 Original Poster	Originally posted by Schraubstock The last image is probably the correct colour. I think you took a bit too much yellow out of the second one. Originally posted by Schraubstock Too dark, unless this is absolutely what you wanted but you have some doubts otherwise you would not have posted it here. I post pictures here because I barely seem to know what I am doing most of the time. Friends and family think I take pretty good photos but compared to others here I have a long ways to go. I decided that I wanted to get better at taking pictures and figured getting feedback from others would be a good way as it gives me feedback on how I can improve. I liked the darkness of the original but that was probably because it brought out the yellowing on the silver more, that and I tend to like dark images probably to a fault.

10-30-2019, 06:55 AM	#20
taktoon Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 605	Great colors and subject. It only needs more space (above) to breathe.

12-23-2019, 10:14 AM	#21
aitrus3 Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Kamloops B.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,432	Originally posted by MossyRocks Looking for general feedback. I know the blurred writing is distracting but other than that looking for suggestions. This is the back of a very old womens silver pocket watch about 45mm in diameter that has been in my family since it was purchased new. Camera: K-3 Lens: 28mm SMC Takumar on an 11mm extension tube F/8 ISO 100 4s Flash bounced off of the ceiling My camera bag was behind the watch but decided to partially bail on so it uncovered the writing on the black shoe box. I do plan on constructing a proper backdrop and surface for doing this in the future so I am aware of that issue. Not sure what blurred writing you're talking about. I don't see anything. This is a lovely image and it's a beautiful watch. I wonder, would it be possible to get the watch face along with the back detail? That's the only thing about this: without you telling me I couldn't tell it was a watch.

12-23-2019, 06:46 PM	#22
Sight1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Burlington Photos: Gallery Posts: 249	Originally posted by MossyRocks Looking for general feedback. I know the blurred writing is distracting but other than that looking for suggestions. This is the back of a very old womens silver pocket watch about 45mm in diameter that has been in my family since it was purchased new. Camera: K-3 Lens: 28mm SMC Takumar on an 11mm extension tube F/8 ISO 100 4s Flash bounced off of the ceiling My camera bag was behind the watch but decided to partially bail on so it uncovered the writing on the black shoe box. I do plan on constructing a proper backdrop and surface for doing this in the future so I am aware of that issue. I would attempt a shot with a natural stone or rock element to compliment the minerals and age of the watch, and its rather old well used patina, black cloth or velvet in the photo could be altered with the natural stone base as well. Might add a tease to the attractive watch face. Interesting piece. Being a womans watch i would even try a small glass surface or mirror to add reflections as water would, adding to the elemental emotions of a womans watch piece. Last edited by Sight1; 12-23-2019 at 06:52 PM.

12-23-2019, 07:06 PM	#23
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,749	There is a lot of detail in the design, so an image that was brighter overall would be more appealing to me as I'd see more of the fine details.

12-25-2019, 10:07 PM	#24
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,861	There is a lot about this image that I like. I think the bronze color and lighting is very appealing. It doesn't look like you were shooting with mixed color temperature light sources. I might have gone for a slightly lighter exposure, but that's just personal taste. I also might have used a white card/piece of paper to re-bounce some of the ceiling light onto the bottom edge of the watch, but that might be tricky to accomplish. The missing part of the watch at the top does bug me. It removes some of the main subject of the image. I would try to see if I could include in the frame as much of the chain as possible, including the frayed rope end. It's part of the story, the history, of this venerable old timekeeper.

12-29-2019, 04:26 AM	#25
08amczb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 796	Nice image!

12-29-2019, 03:14 PM	#26
pentaxshooter89 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oregon Posts: 365	Nicely done, agree to post #2.

01-02-2020, 08:18 PM	#27
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	with soo much room below I dislike the top being cut off. The detail is captured nicely though. There is a dark spot about 12:15, is this really darker or lighting? Wish this was clear.