Light Box or Device to Photograph Knives

[Ricky-O]

Although I've read a lot on the internet, I have difficulty taking photos of knives. I recently got a 16" x 16" Lightbox, but still have difficulty with glare. Lately I'm thinking it is the design of this particular lightbox, and so I was wondering if people had suggestions for light boxes that they've found work well for taking photos of knives. Or, if there is something better than a lightbox, I'm certainly open to that.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Most new phones will take better pictures than most cameras.
Take the pictures outside, out of direct sunlight. No box needed.

 

[pafka]

I have received lots of decent advice in this thread:

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/help-with-knife-photo-setup.1992244/

There are some "hotspots" in my setup where I can also get a glare, I assume it's because the light is simply too strong, too close to the lightbox wall and too focused. So if that happens I rearrange the lights, or put a piece of paper in front of the offending light source to diffuse it more.
What kind of lights are you using?

 

[JV Knives]

Most new phones will take better pictures than most cameras.
Take the pictures outside, out of direct sunlight. No box needed.

Honestly, I was going to say something like this as well. I've had no luck with light boxes and even dedicated lighting with backgrounds. I think my best photos come from sunny days in mother nature....which isn't great when the weather is bad (which was my motivation).

 

[Ricky-O]

Although I have a fancy camera, I hardly ever use it because I've also found my phone takes photos that usually are at least as good. My lightbox has a circular ring of LEDs at the top, at 5k temperature. I can vary the brightness, but still get glare. It has a diffuser, all sorts of backgrounds, but they don't help all that much. I used to take photos of some artwork, and used simple 5k LEDs in reflectors, behind a white sheet, but results varied. I have trees in my yard, so it won't be hard to get shade outside. I'll give that a try.

 

[Steven65]

Coop suggests this........ https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...cell-phone-tests-and-mods-for-knives.1721667/

 

[Ricky-O]

Coop suggests this........ https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...cell-phone-tests-and-mods-for-knives.1721667/

Unfortunately his photos don't show up in the thread. I have something similar, but mine doesn't have a hole in the diffuser; I may have to add one, or make a box.

 

[RPZIP]

Outside on a cloudy day. Or in the shade on a sunny day.

 

[HSC ///]

I bought a light box and gave up on it...
outdoors, 30 minutes before sunset is the time that I take photos.

 

[Michael Black]

I bought a light box and gave up on it...
outdoors, 30 minutes before sunset is the time that I take photos.

Same here. Photographers call it the Golden Hour for a reason!

 

[Ricky-O]

When you take photos outside, do you hang white sheets or some other white background around the knife, to prevent reflections? Outside in the shade I still see reflections of trees, buildings, etc. I suppose I can just tilt the knife at a different angle, but wonder if I should hang sheets up to minimize any background reflections ? Or maybe some white poster board?

 

[Horsewright]

My photo studio is an antelope hide tossed over a trash can behind the shop. Literally a trash can. It's in the right kind of shade till bout noon. Morning pics at this locale are better. It's in the shade in the late afternoon too but the light is different. Morning is best for me. My photo studio:

I use a mane hair hand twisted rope called a mecate to hold knives in place and to give it a lil angle for the pic.

For me a camera (Canon DSLR with a Canon 18-135 lens) does a better job on the knife pics. I've found that my phone handles tricky lighting situations better but the camera handles perspective, depth of field etc a lil better. A phone pic late at night inside the house:

Camera pic:

 

[Diomedes Industries]

I messed with a LOT of things. Settled on Dave's setup almost exactly. Including the dumpster top. Not sure how we did that, Dave - but.... Great Minds?

 

[DanF]

Outside evening light with nature as a backstop.

 

[Ricky-O]

Ok, I was skeptical of all this outdoor talk, but this morning got up and went outside to take some photos about half an hour before sunrise. I was very surprised; I didn't need any reflectors or diffusers, and the photos turned out much better (with my phone) than I had been able to take inside. I'm convinced.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

I agree outdoors have worked best for me ...

But if I Have to take an inside shot, my light box is a translucent tipped over Tupperware container.

 

[godogs57]

Most new phones will take better pictures than mostcameras.
Take the pictures outside, out of direct sunlight. No box needed.

Exactly. have one of my trailers that stays in the shade most of the day. I lay mine out on the bed of the trailer and it works well. iPhone 15 Pro Max cell phone has replaced all my $$$ camera equipment.

 

[ferider]

You can effectively reduce glare (reflections) with a “real camera” and polarizing filter. Circular for digital.

Try your light box again with that, maybe with a friend’s camera?

You can get a 5+ year old pro dslr for peanuts these days, much cheaper than a state of the art phone. Also allows you to optically control OOF, in contrast to a phone (with its much smaller sensor).

 

[Horsewright]

I messed with a LOT of things. Settled on Dave's setup almost exactly. Including the dumpster top. Not sure how we did that, Dave - but.... Great Minds?

Absolutely my friend!