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Watch photography advice

workandturn
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Hi folks

2 posts in a row.

Just wondered how people shoot there watches for sale ?

I have a number of watches to photograph, I used to have a friend help me who'd use natural light and then would place a loop over his eye phone camera to capture details. Thought it was a clever way to capture things (Raw photo attached), but it was very hit and miss.

Anyone got any tips or tricks ? Camera, lens or iPhone (I have an iPhone 13 Pro but its a little beat up)?

I want to get the level my friend shot to or better, I have some experience with photography so not a novice.

Thanks in advance,
James

PHOTO-2024-10-17-22-22-19.webp
 
mjb
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My 2 cents: shooting watches is challenging because they tend to be shiny and reflective, tiny, and have lots of detail. I use a real camera with a macro lens, tripod, and sometimes a lightbox.

If I don't feel like using the box and digging out all of my lighting, I'll do it on a sunny day and rely on reflected ambient lighting. Like I did here (which unfortunately has some reflections).
 
dsio
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I find a polarising filter works really well for cutting down reflections when using the amount of light that macro watch shots require I’ve got a couple of circular filters now but initially I used an Oakley Polaroid lens off some old sunglasses and on vintage hesalite crystals it made a big difference as silly as it sounds
 
Braindrain
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dsio dsio
I find a polarising filter works really well for cutting down reflections when using the amount of light that macro watch shots require I’ve got a couple of circular filters now but initially I used an Oakley Polaroid lens off some old sunglasses and on vintage hesalite crystals it made a big difference as silly as it sounds

Yeah, sunglasses use optical quality glass so that makes total sense.

Using too much natural light isn't great because of the tendency for reflections. I also use a polarizing filter.

@workandturn , if you shooting RAW, isnt your RAW editing software more than capable of brightening up the pic (if it's too dark), crop to get pics of details, and reduce / eliminate reflections?

The loupe works but only if there's nothing else. I bought a cheap (but excellent) vintage macro lens off the Bay, which works extremely well. Just be sure to stop it down so you can get most details with a wider depth of field.
 
workandturn
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Hey guys, thanks for the comments so far

Ive had an extensive look online, ideal set up is a mirrorless camera, macro lens, lights, diffuser and reflector is the way to go, but that requires quite the investment.

Right now Im just trying to get some good results for a low cost.

Ive just bought a x10 loupe to try, a second hand macro lens could also be a good option so I might have a little look at options this weekend
 
workandturn
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Braindrain Braindrain
Yeah, sunglasses use optical quality glass so that makes total sense.

Using too much natural light isn't great because of the tendency for reflections. I also use a polarizing filter.

@workandturn , if you shooting RAW, isnt your RAW editing software more than capable of brightening up the pic (if it's too dark), crop to get pics of details, and reduce / eliminate reflections?

The loupe works but only if there's nothing else. I bought a cheap (but excellent) vintage macro lens off the Bay, which works extremely well. Just be sure to stop it down so you can get most details with a wider depth of field.
I need to swap my iPhone over to shoot RAW but yes brightening is very easy in whatever software you're using, providing the quality is good to begin with

So far its just been the quality of the iPhone pictures Ive struggled with, just not the best for detail shots but I will test with the loupe when it comes
 
Braindrain
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Ok, i missed that. Yes, the quality from ANY phone isn't great, regardless of what their marketing says.
 
apsm100
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I am no expert but taking shots by a window on a cloudy day is the cheapest way to get great lighting.
You can use a piece of paper on the other side of the watch to reflect the window light.
 
workandturn
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Braindrain Braindrain
Ok, i missed that. Yes, the quality from ANY phone isn't great, regardless of what their marketing says.
I was curious how people went about things and hadn’t really explained that I was trying to get things on a budget to begin with

Once I’ve sold a watch I’ll probably use the money to invest in some equipment but I was very impressed with my friend technique so thought I’d ask

I got a message back and he used a x10 loop with an iPhone and get some really good results for next to no money
 
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