Mini Photo Studio for Knives

K

Knife Outlet

Joined
Jan 4, 1999
Messages
3,000
On Friday, I set up a small tabletop studio in the office to shoot knives for the web site. Here's an image from the setup. I'd appreciate any suggestions, criticisms or comments. Thanks.
fmw3.jpg


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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
 
Hummm.. Pic ain't working so try again
smile.gif


I will be happy to help.

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Mike Turber
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OK Turn the knife so the edge is to the light. This way it shows the edge and makes it look sharp. Take your pics on a darker background so the exposure is better. Sometimes a light one will come out but we have found darker backgrounds do better.

More later...

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
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The photo looks great. However you might want to use a small "kicker" light where the end of the handle is a little dark. On a positive note, the blade and guard both look excellent as I don't see ANY "hot-spots" or reflections.

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Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
glockman99@hotmail.com
ICQ# 53675663
 
Here's one on a contrastier background:
bm735sbt2.jpg


Fred

[This message has been edited by Knife Outlet (edited 01-21-2001).]
 
Thanks for the comments. These shots are made with a setup of 3 studio strobes projecting through a light tent to the subject knives. The whole tabletop set only takes about 10 square feet and will handle knives of any size below short swords. I'm going to try to set up something that is very repeatable so I can process new products quickly through the set. I'll do some background shopping, Mike. Dann, there is a snooted kicker on the back of the handle, as a matter of fact. I think moving the whole set toward the bottom of the knife would likely resolve this issue. The second shot of the Benchmade knife is a shadowless two light setup. I find it less interesting but it may work better for illustration. Thanks again.

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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
 
The first pic looks pretty good. As stated above, sometimes a background that sets it off more is good...but with some knives a 'quieter' background actually looks better, and I tink thats the case with the first pic, it looks good as is.

The handle is a tad dark, but the rest of the knife seems ok. Dont be afraid to use the software to select just the handle and use the computer to brighten it just a bit.

Good stuff, keep it up.



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Richard Todd - Digital knife photography
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You can also use white poster board to reflect ambient light onto the subject. This works very well adn eliminates fighting with lights. In the Elishewitz above I would of placed a small white poster board behind the blade and aim the reflected light on to the blade out of the camera's sight.

------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
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Visit www.onestopknifeshop.com
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It also appears that you have learned to correct for different color temperatures, thus avoiding the knife appearing a color it is not.

For an example of how NOT to do this, check the current pics of the EDC 154CM which is being offered for sale. That gold anodized color is artifactual, I am sure.
tongue.gif


Walt
 
1757 posts, Walt? I hope you're getting enough sleep.

These shots were made with studio strobes that have a color temperature roughly equal to noon daylight. Also the camera is a digital which is equipped with the magical white balance that video cameras have so color correction is automatic for the most part. Actually the results were slightly on the magenta side of things (at least on my monitor) and I had to shift things a little toward the yellow. Good shooting.


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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
 
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