Who to photograph a collection?

Coop and Chuck both do excellent work but different styles.

Look at my collection; you will photos from Coop, Chuck and Eric and all three demonstrate different styles.
 
I plan to send some work to Coop, really like his attention to detail in his photography. But sending your whole collection in the mail would seem to be risky. Terrill Hoffman is a great guy to deal with and does great work as well, the fact that he is close enough that you can drive would be my choice.

Or you can get a nice entry level camera start working hard at it and develop your own picture taking skills.

Spencer
 
If you are only secure in hand delivery, then Terrill is your man. He sure is capable. End of search.

If your time is valuable, then consider the cost of one large next day package through FedEx. It is insured by my insurance company (Collectibles Insurance) from you to me, and it's shipped and insured back to you as part of the cost of the images. I have gotten $$$$$ worth of knives sent to me at a pop. Never had a problem with Next Day.

Chuck Ward is a great choice, is especially talented, and probably offers a similar fee.

My inclination is that you could buy a camera and make a suitable light tent for the same cost. In fact I know you could. :thumbup:

Coop
 
Having seen Coop demonstrate and seen many pictures of knives he's taken, he would be my personal choice if I owned anything good enough to need to be pictured =D
 
Well. Here's a link that showcases some of our photographer's work.
Http://www.gearninja.com
He's a veteran 'old-school' shooter from Maryland that's just made a comeback. He can use the business and exposure to his talent. His style is not similar to that of the highly respected Coop and others here- I recommend him only for advertising & catalog, since he comes up with unique looks for each customer.
His name is Paul Alexander and he can be reached at : graphics@gearninja.com


2knife said:
Thinking about having my collection professionally photographed, need recommendations and advice.

I would naturally rather drive to location than ship. (Near North Carolina/South Carolina/Va.?) Since the theme of my knives are all from one maker, Ed Fowler, thinking possibly photograph the knives as a multi-knife collection, rather than individual knives.

Please relate any experiences, stories, references that might be of help making this decision.
Thanks,
David
Click to expand...
 
I gotta give a very high recommendation for Terrill Hoffman.. If Im not mistaken he is in North Carolina. He is very talented, and one of the nicest guys I ever met.
 
By the way, if/when you bring your collection, drop by the house for lunch or dinner. We'll have enough knives for a pretty decent show. :D
 
Here are a couple of samples of Terrill's work. These were knives made by Daniel Ehrenberger:

bgknife3309.jpeg

bgknife3414.jpeg
 
Dave,

It kind of depends on what you wish to accomplish. If you are interested in a really kick-butt presentation of a number of knives, and top quality prints, then, yes, this is what professionals do. Everyone mentioned has work I have seen that I only wish I had done.

I will use RogerP, Murray and StephenF as just a few examples of collectors who can take absolutely clear and gripping shots for posterity, insurance, showing off, etc., and are doing it with low-cost cameras and a 'Low Frills' home-made light tent.

Terrill is your smartest bet. He's a good egg, and he'd love to work with you. (I am plenty busy; so much so, that I have no qualms about recommending another.)

Your call. A really capable used digital camera, and that tent will run you $200. Then you are on your own for the future as well.

Teach a man to fish.....

Coop
 
David, Coop is giving some pretty good advice.

I will add that being able to shoot and share your own images of your knives will probably add another dimension to your enjoyment of them. While I have had (and will continue to have) Coop shoot several of my knives, I quite enjoy doing it myself. I find the process lets me discover and connect with my knives in a way that just looking at them does not. Perhaps it's just thata the process of playing with light and camera angles makes you look at your knives from both a critical and artisitic standpoint.

Getting good results doesn't require a huge outlay of cash - just some time and patience to try and try again. And with a digital camera, you won't be wasting film as you climb the learning curve. What's more - there is likely no better information on photographing knives than that assembled in threads right here on bladeforums. A HUGE help - particularly to the newbie.

Good luck.

Roger
 
Dave, I sent you an email but haven't heard back. Call me sometime for recommendations: 203-644-4500
 
Terrill took the pic that is on my web page. I was very pleased to say the least. The way that I met him was that he was set up at a show in Ohio that I attended where I happened to have a couple of my knives in hand that were semi-worthy of being professionally photographed...lol. The truth of the matter is that photos taken all of the guys who have been mentioned pretty much dominate the mags and books for a reason. They are all VERY good at what they do. I would think that you wouldn't be dissapointed having any of them take pictures for you.
 
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