Photographing Traditional Knives

Vaporstang said:
I've taken a bunch of pictures this week a knew there was one that was really bugging me, but couldn't remember which one. Found it:

36165959941_622a22b763_h.jpg

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This makes me irrationally annoyed.
 
Vaporstang said:
I've taken a bunch of pictures this week a knew there was one that was really bugging me, but couldn't remember which one. Found it:

36165959941_622a22b763_h.jpg

Click to expand...

I like the diagonal boards. Flip the knife over so the shield can be read and close the blade so it's open about 45 degrees. Normally I would say turn the knife slightly so that the handle isn't exactly horizontal, but leaving it horizontal will create a triangle with the two boards. You'll fill the image, have interesting lines and both shield and etch can be read.
 
That's a pet peeve of mine, it drives me crazy when I take pics resulting in the name being upside down when open. Usually I take 1 pic knife closed mark side forward then I take the 2nd pic, open, pile side. I've also re glued unpinned shields in upside down when they popped out just so I feel better:) or another alternative is photoshop.

fMUey3O.jpg
 
Ratbert said:
I like the diagonal boards. Flip the knife over so the shield can be read and close the blade so it's open about 45 degrees. Normally I would say turn the knife slightly so that the handle isn't exactly horizontal, but leaving it horizontal will create a triangle with the two boards. You'll fill the image, have interesting lines and both shield and etch can be read.
Click to expand...

Yep - I'm with you. I will have take a couple of pictures like that with this one. Thanks!
 
The question is really about how a knife looks with an upside down shield that has writing. As far as artistic "rules" to make an interesting photo, I'll leave that to the "paint by numbers crowd."
 
I think both look fine. I like photos of knives with the blades fully open (which, of course, means shields with writing will be upside down).

hgT4O5A.jpg


I also like photos of knives with the blade(s) closed.

kGFMzRG.jpg


If the shield were turned so that it appeared right side up when the knife was open, it'd be upside down with the knife closed. I guess you can't have everything. :confused:

7nmD4aN.jpg


I rarely take photos of knives with the blades partially open, and usually only do so with knives that have blades on both ends (stockmen, scout knives, canoes, etc.)
 
btb01 said:
I rarely take photos of knives with the blades partially open, and usually only do so with knives that have blades on both ends (stockmen, scout knives, canoes, etc.)
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I never partially open both blades on a single spring knife for pics and on multi spring/blade knives, when both blades on on the same spring are shown they either are both completely open or one is partially open and the other completely open to avoid putting undue stress on the spring, I like smaller blades with half stops it gives me more options for pictures.

For example, the Swayback Jack has half stops on both blades and 2 springs so I'm not stressing the back springs.

1jhg2Wo.jpg
 
T. Erdelyi said:
I never partially open both blades on a single spring knife for pics and on multi spring/blade knives, when both blades on on the same spring are shown they either are both completely open or one is partially open and the other completely open to avoid putting undue stress on the spring, I like smaller blades with half stops it gives me more options for pictures.

For example, the Swayback Jack has half stops on both blades and 2 springs so I'm not stressing the back springs.

1jhg2Wo.jpg
Click to expand...

That's a good practice. I usually try to do the same, and half stops definitely help. I have, admittedly, taken photos before of stockmen or canoes with blades partially open on the same spring, but I try not to. On camp/scout knives I always open one blade fully and one at 90° on each spring, as you say.
 
Wow. Some great insights and tips here!

I prefer the 2nd pic by joeradza.

Posting one of my pics, which I like because the text are oriented properly (on the tang and handle). Sorry for the crappy phone quality

UpogElB.jpg
 
Vaporstang said:
I've taken a bunch of pictures this week a knew there was one that was really bugging me, but couldn't remember which one. Found it:
[Edit - added 2nd view]
36165959941_622a22b763_h.jpg

36165959941_622a22b763_h.jpg
Click to expand...

The only question I have is who's bright idea was it to put shields with writing upside down? This has always annoyed me and if someone who made knives for me did this in the shop, the knife would not leave the shop till the writing was on the right way. The Tidiute above makes the problem jump out. Then after the first person did the shield that way, everyone else followed suit. Go figger! The proper orientation, to my eye, to display a knife is like the first photo, so you can imagine grabbing it and using it. I like pictures with the blade fully open so you get a better idea of blade/ handle ratio, and the angle of the cutting edge relative to the centerline of the knife.
 
I also agree with Chief about angles although I had never thought about it before. I also agree with Alan in the OP that writing on the shield is what makes a knife photographed in a horizontal position look weird. I never thought either of these pictures looked right but tomorrow I am going to take a picture with this knife on the same tree limb at an angle and see if it looks a lot better. Thanks for posting this thread I believe it will help me in photographing my knives in general.


kLQloB5.jpg


BJh0Ui9.jpg
 
I will never UN-SEE this image.
From this day forward every knife I see I will be looking for correct formating of the image.

I'm not even CLOSE to joking.
That said I prefer the bottom image with the slightly open blade.
Everything else has Something upside down. Damn you O.C.D.!!!

THANKS!:(
 
idahoguy said:
The only question I have is who's bright idea was it to put shields with writing upside down? This has always annoyed me and if someone who made knives for me did this in the shop, the knife would not leave the shop till the writing was on the right way. The Tidiute above makes the problem jump out. Then after the first person did the shield that way, everyone else followed suit. Go figger! The proper orientation, to my eye, to display a knife is like the first photo, so you can imagine grabbing it and using it. I like pictures with the blade fully open so you get a better idea of blade/ handle ratio, and the angle of the cutting edge relative to the centerline of the knife.
Click to expand...
Fully agree, the writing should be correct for an open knife, a knife which is ready to cut. A knife being a knife. Always annoyed me. Or put the writing vertical like on the bolsters of the new 25's. That makes sense whether closed or open. Queen's shield being upside down is silly. It's a single letter, why not just align it vertically?
 
:thumbsup:
Zombie411 said:
I will never UN-SEE this image.
From this day forward every knife I see I will be looking for correct formating of the image.

I'm not even CLOSE to joking.
That said I prefer the bottom image with the slightly open blade.
Everything else has Something upside down. Damn you O.C.D.!!!

THANKS!:(
Click to expand...

Hahaha! I feel the same way! I'm now extra critical when looking at the posted photos
 
Now I'm on a rampage.
I've contacted 148 manufacturers, and asked them to STOP messing about with (people like me), and just make knives that are photographically symmetrical.

So far I have not received any replies (positive or negative) but I am Certain I am making a difference.
This can not continue.
Now I KNOW how Charlie Brown felt... Ugghhhhh!

No I didn't really.
Jus' sayin'
 
And after reading this thread and learning about angles, I attempted this yesterday (apologies for the crappy quality of my phone cam)

YZp6dFt.jpg
 
Chief said:
Upside down text bugs me but that's not the only reason the second photo is better. Top photo knife is straight and lies parallel with the horizon, second photo is full of angles. Straight lines are boring, angles are more interesting. Why have the text upside down unless you absolutely have to?
GECSS15s-2.jpg
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Tried your recommendation, I do really enjoy your photos so figured would give it a try...

WVQLAtb.jpg
 
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