I'm not much of a photographer but I need to photo a couple of knives I've made and the blades are way to shiney when I use a flash on the camera. Without a flash the knife is too dark. I've tried waxing the blade but the result wasn't that good. Any help is most welcomed. Thanks.
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How to photo a shiny blade?
- Thread starter SlyOne
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- May 2, 2004
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If you don't have a light cube take the picture on a semi cloudy day. Take the picture outside under a porch roof to keep the glare off the blade.
If you suspend a dark object above the blade in a position where you view it as a reflectlion in the blades surface when you are focusing the camera you will get a good view of the blades surface but without the shiny part. A slight movement of the lens will change the look of the picture a lot. If you have a digital camera; take a lot of pictures and eliminate the bad ones and keep the best.
Good Luck, Fred
If you suspend a dark object above the blade in a position where you view it as a reflectlion in the blades surface when you are focusing the camera you will get a good view of the blades surface but without the shiny part. A slight movement of the lens will change the look of the picture a lot. If you have a digital camera; take a lot of pictures and eliminate the bad ones and keep the best.
Good Luck, Fred
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There is an entire photography section .
One of the best threads there shows how to build a light tent and manipulate it for best results.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/328550-No-Frills-75.00-home-studio-tent-lightbox
One of the best threads there shows how to build a light tent and manipulate it for best results.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/328550-No-Frills-75.00-home-studio-tent-lightbox
Erin Burke
KnifeMaker...ish
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- May 19, 2003
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- 1,330
Sly,
Don't use the flash and DO use a tripod. Using a light tent will help minimize reflections and glare. Good luck.
Erin
Don't use the flash and DO use a tripod. Using a light tent will help minimize reflections and glare. Good luck.
Erin
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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To pick up on Fred's excellent advice....
The problem with photographing a highly reflective object is two-fold.
First, what is primarily seen is the objects that are beyond the blade at the reverse angle that the camera is. Think of it as a ricochet of light. What is in the reflection is what you photograph. The more light, the worse it is. A dark or even tone background is the way to go. Use a large piece of gray, medium blue, or black cloth. It should be in the reflected view.
Second, there are two things you can focus on. One is the blade surface, the second is the reflection. Make sure the blade is what you are focusing on. Manual focus may be preferred. Along with that, any object on the blade surface will stand out from the reflection, because it is in focus and the reflection isn't. The smallest pieces of dust or finger spot will show up likehandfulull of gravel and tire skid marks when the photo is cropped. Clean the blade well and blow off with a can of air just before shooting the photo.
The problem with photographing a highly reflective object is two-fold.
First, what is primarily seen is the objects that are beyond the blade at the reverse angle that the camera is. Think of it as a ricochet of light. What is in the reflection is what you photograph. The more light, the worse it is. A dark or even tone background is the way to go. Use a large piece of gray, medium blue, or black cloth. It should be in the reflected view.
Second, there are two things you can focus on. One is the blade surface, the second is the reflection. Make sure the blade is what you are focusing on. Manual focus may be preferred. Along with that, any object on the blade surface will stand out from the reflection, because it is in focus and the reflection isn't. The smallest pieces of dust or finger spot will show up likehandfulull of gravel and tire skid marks when the photo is cropped. Clean the blade well and blow off with a can of air just before shooting the photo.