There's gotta be a hundred ways to take knife pictures. And I'm not a professional with a light box and all. However, I used to some work for hire.
In any case here's a method for knife pictures I've found works about everytime:
Pick a bright sunny day. Then find a window in the house on the shady side (no direct sun), preferably a bright room with lots of windows. Place the knife on some fabric (towel, shirt, cool leather jacket) or something. Point the blade toward the window but not right at it. Stand with your shoulder near the window and click away.
Experiment with changing the angle of the blade towards the window and the camera position. And for the big hint: turn the flash off.
Why this method?
1. Problem: Contrast
A strong direct light will create too much contrast. Direct light, like a flash, bouncing of the blade throw the whole light metering system out of wack. A knife has a lot of contrast (shiny blade and wood tones). A single source of light really aggravates the problem.
2. Problem: Shadows
Sharp shadows are unflattering. So no flash (maybe a one stop under flash for fill if you can do it) and no direct sun.
3. Solution: Diffused lighting.
By placing the blade next to a window on the shady side of the house you basically have a wide light source. Also, the other light bouncing around the room will reduce the depths of the shadows. A big white poster board opposite the window can also help - if you want to get fancy.
Here's a photo I took on the kitchen table. The background is the head rest off my Lazy Boy chair:
Here's the same idea, but with my son's bathrobe:
I'm no expert! And there's a lot of knife photos on this site that put me to shame. But I hope that this hint might help somebody in my shoes that doesn't have a full photo shop, light box, etc.
Steve
In any case here's a method for knife pictures I've found works about everytime:
Pick a bright sunny day. Then find a window in the house on the shady side (no direct sun), preferably a bright room with lots of windows. Place the knife on some fabric (towel, shirt, cool leather jacket) or something. Point the blade toward the window but not right at it. Stand with your shoulder near the window and click away.
Experiment with changing the angle of the blade towards the window and the camera position. And for the big hint: turn the flash off.
Why this method?
1. Problem: Contrast
A strong direct light will create too much contrast. Direct light, like a flash, bouncing of the blade throw the whole light metering system out of wack. A knife has a lot of contrast (shiny blade and wood tones). A single source of light really aggravates the problem.
2. Problem: Shadows
Sharp shadows are unflattering. So no flash (maybe a one stop under flash for fill if you can do it) and no direct sun.
3. Solution: Diffused lighting.
By placing the blade next to a window on the shady side of the house you basically have a wide light source. Also, the other light bouncing around the room will reduce the depths of the shadows. A big white poster board opposite the window can also help - if you want to get fancy.
Here's a photo I took on the kitchen table. The background is the head rest off my Lazy Boy chair:
Here's the same idea, but with my son's bathrobe:
I'm no expert! And there's a lot of knife photos on this site that put me to shame. But I hope that this hint might help somebody in my shoes that doesn't have a full photo shop, light box, etc.
Steve
