About background for knife photoes

[nozh2002]

I found that best to represent knife is plain grey background which does not take any attention from the knife itself. However this make picture bit boring especially in terms of color. So after I read abot "Champion color" trick used in portret by some artists, when all colors intentionaly dulled but choosen one is used in fulkl saturation, I deside to try something similar with knife photoes, some bright color accent - small detail which make picture more dimentional (first of course is uneven lighting).

Here my first experiment -

actually Kershw JD II color pallete almost forsed me to add some color. And I think it looks good, it expose knife's gray better in comparison with this lace red and did not take to much attention because does not have too much details.

Thanks, Vassili

 

[SharpByCoop]

I found that best to represent knife is plain grey background which does not take any attention from the knife itself.

I like the splash of color, but it definitely takes attention away from the knife. Not that this is such a bad thing, but it is a counter to your own point.

I am a big proponent of color in my shots. Backgrounds can be interesting without taking away from the knife.

All that grain in this grey background is like detail in a rug or a towel or cloth: It really adds filesize. Just a sidebar drawback.

The fuzzy's in the thread are another distraction. Maybe the largest for me.

Love the knife.

Coop

 

[nozh2002]

Yes, color splash great term to express exactely what it is. I did try different color splashes today - few lego bricks and different rope - will post it tommorow. I do not like that fuzzy's thing also - was to excited to try, that did not really notice until posted it...

Well, I just start paying attention to composition and background setup in my pictures - it is very interesting, and hope to learn it from you.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[fulloflead]

Good background!

This is a favorite subject of mine, so good job posting this.

The best thing I've ever used was a silver paper that was slightly reflective that made a slight reflection of the blade.

Someday I might try wrinkling up some aluminum foil.

I once used a bright yellow mechanic's rag and hit it with a bright flash and it made bright yellow sprites that reflected off the knive blades. I posted those in the Matt Cuccura passaround thread if you have the time to search.

Knowing knife people, I like to use "grungy" backgrounds like flanel shirts or tools...

or just my computer keyboard.

.

 

[nozh2002]

Other experiments with color splash:

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[fulloflead]

Alright, now you've gone too far.

.

 

[SharpByCoop]

That's the dilemma with grey knives and grey backgrounds. Everything is neutral. We like to kick in some emotion, so color is a choice. In the case of the lego's they are too sparce. There is a composition array to make that interesting, but not the way it is above. Just my subjective opinion. (Jim Weyer could make that POP!)

The layout with the two ribbons is far more satisfying.

Here is a knife I shot for a client, and it, too, had NO color. So I gave it some with a pastel background. It ended up being published a couple of times.

Color is rewarding in smart doses.

Coop

 

[cockroachfarm]

....Color is rewarding in smart doses....

..and this shot proves it. Nice one, Jim! :thumbup:

 

[Ebbtide]

Think of color backgrounds (and in backgrounds) as salt on your meal.
You wouldn't want salt as a main course, but a little bit adds alot.
Too much and it's all you taste, or in the case of color, see.

 

[HTMD]

What's the right amount of color in the background of a knife photo? As I think about it, the words "It depends" keep coming to mind.

Sometimes little or none...


Sometimes a lot...

 

[Stephen F]

I think it largely depends on the effect you want. I vary from complex to very plain, I am also not adverse to adding a Photoshop background. The examples below show very different approaches. The guiding principle is not to distract from the knife.

Cheers,

Stephen

 

[nozh2002]

My idea is to add drop of color to picture where everything is mostly grey. Which is common color for many production knives. To pit somemething which will only highlight grey nature of main object, as a contrast. Grey for that particular Kershaw Jankyard dog is pretty gentle, has some pattern added plus natural structure of G10 and I applay uneven light to it.

This makes it interesting but I thought it may benefit from little drop of color.

Now I have different ribbon, may be it is too thick, but I have more colors. I think ribbon or lace has not too much details to stop eye on - it delivers only color, and actually may guide eye to main object. It is really disturb I think view path on my previous example with two parralel ribbons. May be this one better because it kind of set direction to the top.

Lego instead has details and so compete with knife - so it is not very good for color drops, may be I'll pust one brick - will see. I'll continue to try this color splash-drop thing.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[SharpByCoop]

Buddy and Stephen--you guys are masters of your skill. Nice.

Coop

 

[HTMD]

Vassili, I like the "color, splash, drop" concept. Everybody has to find their own style by experimenting.

In general though, I like a lot of color in a background and I find a complex background appealing as long as it doesn't compete or conflict with the blade by breaking too many basic color and design rules. For me a knife is nothing without some kind of emotion, story or fantasy attached. As Coop has illustrated below, color adds emotion. And Stephen provides an example of a picture that suggests a story. Here is an example of the fantasy variety.



(Thanks, Coop, but really you and Stephen are masters. Most of the time I'm just shootin' from the hip, hoping to get something I like or that I can use for the purpose at hand.)