Digital knife photography

Richard

Richard

BOUNCED EMAIL: I need to update my email address in my profile!
Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
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Hello, wanted to get the general opinions of knife pictures here. I have been tossing around the idea lately of doing digital photography for makers web sites as a part time thing. To me this sounds like a good idea, but what better place to get an honest opinion than here? I have been talking back and forth to a couple of good members here who have given me a few suggetions, and now would like to get the group opinion on this idea. Here is a few question I would like to have answered.

1. Would any makers be interested in very reasonably priced digital pics of thier knives for thier web site?

2. What do you like to see in a picture? Do you like very basic, but detailed pics of the knife? Do you like lots of props in the picture?

3. I have taken a few sample pictures of custom and production knives I own. If you would, I would appreciate everyone looking at them and giving me you most brutally honest opinions. What would you do different? Do you like them? Do you think they stink?

Sample pictures here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=110070&a=4518795

Granted, I am no Weyer
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I am just attempting to see if there is any interest in this or not. Please dont sugar coat your opinions, I want the truth...even if its not what I was hoping for
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Thanks for your time.

Richard
 
Richard, as you know, you are the one that got me to get a digital camera so I could take good pictures of my knives. That was the best thing that I could have done. It enabled me to send a photo of the blade to some one in less than 20 minutes from the time I completed it. I have even been able to send a pic of a photo to some relatives who hadn't seen some one in many years.
I have found that a hazy day or one that there is no single source of light as the best to take the pictures. I have heard of some using a white umbrella tent to diffuse the light so that there wouldn't be any reflections. The first one is tough to see due to the roses(they were pretty). A couple without a contrasting background looked better when the larger view was used. It might depend on the size of the photo that will determine if you need props and what shade to use.
Almost all of the pics on my site is with the digital and sometimes not under the conditions best suited for them.
Overall, I think you did a very good job. And with a digital, you can put the pics on a 3.5 floppy and send them anywhere.

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Ray Kirk
http://www.tah-usa.net/raker
 
Thanks Lynn, have you had much luck with your camera?

Ray, was a pleasure talking cameras with you. I have also heard of people using the light defusers(sp?). A few forum members have told me about them, along with other ideas.

The picture in the flowers almost worked out. I took it the first time, and it turned out perfect. However, the flowers (fake) were so dusty, and really showed up in the picture. I deleted it, cleaned the flowers, and never could get it to turn out good again
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If nothing else, taking the pictures is alot of fun. Some are a real challenge. Satin and mirrir polished blades can pose a problem, took me forever to figure out how to not have the blades come out black.

Now, if I could just learn to scan like James Mattis, I could have even more fun with knife pics
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Richard



 
Richard,
Nice pics! Who is that Griffith guy??
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I shoot 35MM film and have the pictures scanned. I've been having trouble gettting over the learning curve with the digital camera. I'm at the point where I'm going to HAVE to go digital mainly due to the time involved with film processing.
As Raker said, having somehting new, up on a website in 20 minutes is indeed, very handy.
Neil

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Website just updated!
Blackwood Knives
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
 
Richard,
Good start. Since I make my living as a photographer I can say you're getting there. But work with both digital and film. There will be a time a maker wants a print and that can get tricky with digital unless you want to spend $5,000 for a good printer. Please feel free to e-mail me with any problems you may come across.
Keep going and you'll only get better.
 
Richard

Good work. I would suggest that you label the photos, even if it's by number, so that there's a reference for comments ect.

I too just picked up a digital camera and am playing with knives. I'll post pictures when I get some good shots.

2d-edge,

Great shots. I like the Sebenza against the details in the hat.

What cameras are ya'll using? I picked up a Panasonic PV-SD4090.

John Hollister
 
Very well done pics. You have a feel for composition. Nice use of props, too.
A diffuser over your main light would help ease the harshness of the shadows in your pics. Or, you can 'bounce' a little light into the shadows with a white piece of paper (posterboard, whatever) held just outside the camera's view, reflecting your main light into the shadows. The possibilities are many, and it's fun to experiment. You do not have to spend a lot of money.
Why does the lighting matter? A small bright main light can make cool looking highlights, but the black shadows can be a little jarring. Diffuse lighting (no shadows at all) can be really uninteresting. Maybe somewhere in between (and that's a really big area!) is an interesting, artistic, salable photo.
Some catalog-shot trivia: Clocks are generally shot at the 'ten-till-two' time - it makes them look like they are smiling
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. EXCEPT the watches with the three inset dials - those appear to scowl at that time, so you'll have to find some setting that looks good to you, if you use clocks as props.

Hope this helps.
Wolf
(Not 'The Wolf')
 
Richard,

I bought a camera just like yours and have to sometimes take 10-20 pictures before I get one I am happy with. Here is what I have discovered with it. Too much light will make the entire picture have a yellow hue to it. Using the camera flash will make the center of your picture be brighter than other parts so turn it off or go somewhere where there is enough light you don't need it. Lots of good suggestions here. Best light source is indirect outside but bright. If you need to take them indoors, bounce a spotlight off a white or light blue posterboard to diffuse it. Use a tripod to eliminate blurriness. Use the super high quality mode and adjust size accordingly with a good paint program that will also let you adjust contrast and brightness, Photoshop works wonders on this.
 
pics look great...
I use a sony mavica and it takes some good
shots.

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<A HREF="http://goshawkcustomknives.com
Don't" TARGET=_blank>http://goshawkcustomknives.com
Don't</A> walk in tradition just because it feels good!!!!!
Remember amatures built the ark.... Professionals built the Titanic!!!
Romans 10:9,10
Hebrews 4:12-16
Psalm 91
 
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