"Best Knife Photos: 2010"

[2knife]

I dont know how easily it can be judged as a contest, if at all, but we would like to explore from a purely photographers point of view, what were the Best photos of 2010. What distinguishes a truly great photograph? This can be examined from the Best Bowie thread, (or elsewhere) over the past yr.
Thanks in advance!
David

Let me point out and clarify the obvious: This IS a photo contest as well.

Not by design, but by necessity. We are viewing and choosing a 'Best Bowie' through our computer screen on a two-dimensional screen. No different than movies and magazines. 'Best' is defined any number of ways, not the least of which is aesthetic appeal.

(Edited out distracting sidebar comparison)

'Best' is also a qualification that handling can only help judgement. So photos, no matter how glorious, can't tell the whole story. I understand this.

Like some of the knives without a professional photograph. They can be the underdog. :thumbup:

That said, those knives that the Maker/Collector have spent the time getting a professional image enjoy an advantage. A well-earned advantage. No apologies needed. These participants are understanding that promotion is part and parcel of building a solid knifemaking career and status to elevate them to 'Best'.



David, I'd love to come in later and offer my A+ opinions on photo work that works for me. I would choose a couple from each of the OTHER photographers and point out why an aspect looks great. I would leave out my own entries, although I do have clear favorites.

Coop

 

[Kevin Jones]

Just my 2-cents, but I would have rather seen your thread titled "Best Knife Photos: 2010". There's NO denying that the name "Coop" is practically synonymous with magnificent knife photos and his contributions to the custom knife community are tremendous, however we have several extremely talented knife photographers who frequent this forum.
In my opinion, the inclusion of each photographer's photos and hopefully even a discussion on their very different perspectives and photography styles would have made this thread extremely interesting and educational.

It's always amazed me how, each of the photographers I'm referring to take outstanding photos, however (similar to the knives/knifemakers) we can always identify each artist's work at a glance.

I know I will probably catch some heat for this post, however think we perhaps missed an opportunity by this thread being inclusive of just one of our photographers.

 

[2knife]

Thanks Kevin, yes a good idea!
David

 

[SharpByCoop]

Glad this is a general thread. I am in admiration, as much as the rest of you, of the photographic talents of many others who contribute to this forum and our world.

I'm busy this afternoon, but will select some candidates for appraisals later this evening. I hope others will contribute.

BTW, we do have a photography forum here on BF and the process of HOW to take better photographs is very underutilized. There are a ton of 'What's the best camera?" posts, but that is SO irrelevant to a great photo.

Coop

 

[Kevin Jones]

I will start with some photos.

Here in my opinion are five images of similar type knives which are all outstanding yet each by a different photographer and different photography style (at least to un-trained eye).

David Darom

 

[black mamba]

I hope this is not inappropriate, since it is not my photograph, but this was my favorite of 2010, from the DesRosiers.

 

[SharpByCoop]

^^^ All good stuff above. Kevin, your post shows a similarity in ALL five photographers in trying to capture multiple aspects in a single rectangle.

For me, it's about showing interesting visual aspects to appeal, and with balance. All the artists above achieved that, and it takes forethought.

____________________________________________________

I just spent some time going over the Knife Photography for some of 2010. I did not limit myself to the Best Bowies thread and I'm a DEAD CERTAIN I've missed images that ought to be mentioned or shown.

There are a number of professionals who display on this forum, and some non-pros whose work is outstanding. Here are the images from those I consider 'Pros', and whose works inspire me.

In alphabetical order:

With a style that is unmistakable and an eye for composition that is keenly smart, Dr. David Darom uses images provided by Eric Eggly to create pages that just grip the eye.

Eric Eggly has done a gazillion knife images, but when I saw this particular shot (from his studio) I really saw his depth of talent.

Francesco Pachi doesn't post, but his images come up every once in a while. He uses digital backgrounds to his advantage.

Caleb Royer shares his brother's propensity for learning quickly. Compellingly sharp. Smart compositions.

Kam Singh resides over in the UK. His work is always VERY clearly shown:

Rich Slaughter would be the first to acknowledge he's not a pro. He'd fool many:

Buddy Thomason has produced so many gratifying images it's hard to choose. He always conveys mystery, clarity, and appeal in one great visual.

Chuck Ward's crystal-clear images are displayed with regularity. He has chosen to use digital backgrounds often this year, and he's doing a great job with them. Here's one of my faves:

Murray White had a past life as a photographer. To this end he knows lighting well and his images are always clear. (Witness his compelling shot of Bruce Bump's frontrunner in the BB 2010 thread). Here is a clear group shot with his unmistakable style:

Lastly, Duane Weikum knocks them WAYYY over the left field wall when he steps up to the plate. I learn from Duane also, and consider him a good friend:

I'm going to acknowledge others (without photos) in my next post.

Coop

 

[SharpByCoop]

We have a number of makers who are not only great knifemakers, but VERY good at showing off their photographic work clearly.

The clear leaders (to me) in this field are:

Mike Snody
Gus Ceccinni (GTC)
Burt Foster
Marcin Bona
Adam and Haley Derosiers
Magnus Axelson
Spencer Reiter (SAR)
Brad Southard (Edited in )

Other names (not necessarily makers) I browsed, whose images need NO apology for 'crappy pics' are:

Zoe Crist
Robert Appleby
Yuna
Dave Ellis
Serge Pachenko
Tai Goo
Rodrigo Sfreddo
Joe Caswell
Chuck Gedraitis
Chuck Burrows (Wild Rose)
Mike Quesenberry
Don Hanson
John White
Terry Vandeventer

Like I said earlier, I am certain to have missed someone whose work deserves mention (call me on it and let's point them out in this thread!) I just went through the thread pages all the way to January and clicked on remembrances.

There you go, Dave.

Of my own work, I'll think about a handful and give this thread some more visuals in the next few days. I'm back to work tomorrow and won't have time for much fooling around time.

Thanks for the opportunity to show off and support other's work

Coop

 

[drf1]

one of my favorites

 

[SBranson]

It's got a knife in it but maybe not the focal point but this photo really struck me when I saw it. It's one of my favourite images from this year.

 

[Brad Southard]

Maybe this isnt apporiate, cause I certainly would never call myself good or the best at much of anything. But these are some photos I took this year that Im really proud of. Im not happy with some of the contrast on the grinds, I need to figure out how to make them pop more.

Id love to here thoughts and comments on what could be done to improve them! Or things that just suck in them.


Goodness Coop I love that one by Duane!! He is also a good friend.

 

[SharpByCoop]

^^^ Well talk about a maker who I missed completely and deserves to be in the 'better makers' category! Yes. Absolutely!

Thank you, Stuart. That does work.

Dan: Tomo Hasegawa's work is so extremely packed with lighting and emotion. He's off-the-charts. I have a bimonthly inclusion of my work in Japan's 'Knife' magazine. I get it every issue. I am humbled by the 'Japanese style' of display.

Coop

 

[peterinct]

Starting to see some great entries, and since the Bowie voting will end soon, hopefully many more will be added.

Thanks for taking time to provide materials Coop.

Just to show i'm paying attention....from the list of knifemakers being good fotogs, Mr. Bona's first name is "Marcin"

Peter

 

[Marcel54]

Here are two images of a very special breed of knife; the Goblin folder. Both great images but Coop's photo imo gives more of an atmosphere to the knife (do I make sense??)

A very talented knifemaker that makes his own photos (heck he even made a book) is Scott Slobodian:thumbup:

Marcel

 

[RogerP]

black mamba - I love that pic of the DesRosier bowie as well. I think Haley is the one who shot it, but I might be mistaken.

Roger

 

[SharpByCoop]

Having shot a bunch of 'Goblin folders' I will never, EVER, criticize another's attempt to display them. Easily the hardest durn things in the knifeworld to show pleasingly.

Thanks, Marcel.

Peter: Thanks for the correction. Edited.

Coop

 

[Marcel54]

Coop, I think both photos are technically equal and of the highest order. The point I was trying to make (darn that pesky English) is that use of background or positioning the knife in the photo can make a difference in the way that knife (photo) is perceived.

Marcel

 

[Ben B]

I really like the warm, rich look of Burt Foster's photos.

 

[John M Cohea]

Here's one to include in the maker's catergory.Not only does Scott Roush make a nice knife, few people know that he is also a professional photographer, with some of his fantastic camera work being used by the Discovery Channel for the show Planet Earth.
This pic is of a collab we did together, and his style of photography fits in very well with my chosen style of knife/sheath making.

Next is a montage by Chuck Ward.I think the choice of backgrounds, which has an organic look to it, fit the knife very well.

I think that as a photographer, knives with large displays would make the set up and shot more difficult to do.These next 3 pics show that Chuck, Coop, and Buddy pull it of very well!

Last is one of my favorite montages of my work so far by Buddy.

 

[Fort Henry Custom Knives]

I just spent some time going over the Knife Photography for some of 2010. I did not limit myself to the Best Bowies thread and I'm a DEAD CERTAIN I've missed images that ought to be mentioned or shown.

There are a number of professionals who display on this forum, and some non-pros whose work is outstanding. Here are the images from those I consider 'Pros', and whose works inspire me.

In alphabetical order:

Eric Eggly has done a gazillion knife images, but when I saw this particular shot (from his studio) I really saw his depth of talent.

I'm going to acknowledge others (without photos) in my next post.

Coop

Hey Coop - wanted to give some background on that set by John Cohea. I commissioned that set from John and he and I agreed to send the set to Eric. I called Eric and we discussed what I was looking for in the way of presentation of the set that would match/enhance the set and also fit in with the theme of my website. He completed a shoot and sent the proofs to me, it was good but not quite what I was thinking of so he agreed to try again. The second attempt (which is the pic you posted) both John and I felt was really special and we told Eric so, his talent coupled with his customer service ethic made it a wonderful experience.

Vince