Highflyingclive Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 Whilst a professional light-tent will give excellent results, I don't have one. But I do have a polypropylene lever-arch file... Here is the setup. As you can see, it couldn't be simpler: Here is the first shot taken with this set-up (hand-held - I was too lazy to erect the tripod) As you can see, using two different light sources, fluorescent on the left and tungsten on the right was not a good idea. Never mind: The image would have been better if I had used a small reflector to bounce some light into the shadows... and there is plenty of room for further improvement and experimentation. I would have carried on but my camera battery chose that moment to expire - and, of course, the charger is at my office. But I am not ashamed of this first attempt at using a budget light-tent... nothing more than an upturned lever-arch file. Happy timekeeping! Clive P.S When you purchase your Lever Arch File - be sure that it has a "frosted" finish. The one that I used was made by Snopake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehtolcad Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 erect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highflyingclive Posted March 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 What a good job I didn't use the word "bottom". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 Whilst a professional light-tent will give excellent results, I don't have one. But I do have a polypropylene lever-arch file... Excellent idea ... right up until you took the photo handheld. Ouch. Put it on the desk, on a book, anything. Set the timer, walk away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8o8 Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 so... do u just switch off the lights for one of those lume shots? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highflyingclive Posted March 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 (edited) Excellent idea ... right up until you took the photo handheld. Ouch. Put it on the desk, on a book, anything. Set the timer, walk away. I don't think that the pic is fuzzy. There is some flare which has softened the image... experimenting with the direction of the lights and the position of the watch will deal with this. Here is a crop from the centre of the image... no cheating, no PhotoShopping. Not bad for a hand-held shot. The object of the excercise was to find out if a lever-arch file would work as a light tent. I think it shows promise. However, your further advice would be much appreciated! Happy timekeeping! Clive Edited March 24, 2006 by Highflyingclive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kegra Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 Nice Tip.. very nice indeed.... John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 The object of the excercise was to find out if a lever-arch file would work as a light tent. I think it shows promise. However, your further advice would be much appreciated! You can ring up your experiment as a complete and utter success. As for further advice, I'd say ... sneak preview of a future photo how-to. Time to spend a bit of cash on a tripod: A very little bit, admittedly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thealphabeta Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 he he this is ace - just tried it myself - good results! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TTK Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 (edited) All you need is a simple set-up......2x lamps..a black background....some diffusing perspex...some form of support.....and a basic camera..... PS...the watch being photographed was an 18k Rolex President Day Date....REP... Edited March 26, 2006 by TTK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retep Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 All you need is a simple set-up Why is that big silver chimney in your room?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highflyingclive Posted March 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Why is that big silver chimney in your room?? Indoor barbeques are very popular in Thailand. I thought everybody knew that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highflyingclive Posted March 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 (edited) Still experimenting with my upturned lever-arch file "light tent"... Here are two shots, same watch, same set-up, same lighting, with and without the lever-arch file: Still some way to go before I am a threat to TTK... but I'm getting better at this Happy snapping! Clive P.S. The watch being photographed is a Panerai 147 ... rep! Edited March 26, 2006 by Highflyingclive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbj69 Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Indoor barbeques are very popular in Thailand. I thought everybody knew that lmao Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TTK Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 ...yeah indoor chimney is a special requirement...! That setup is at my home in Scotland......it's a studio stand....specifically for large format cameras....20x16 or 10x8......I use it because it's so versatile.....instead of tripping over your tripod legs.....you just swing it out of the way.....far better than any tripod....! PS...here's my other one....a true collector's piece....a 1960's fluid damped and counterbalanced Linhof Studio Stand.....worth about 7000 GBP....I'm having it buried with me...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 There you have it folks, perfect shots of your watches will only cost 7000 GBP Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 There you have it folks, perfect shots of your watches will only cost 7000 GBP That's just the camera pedestal. You need a camera on top of that, and lights, and, and ... I reckon Neil has a lot of overkill kit because selling watches isn't his only profession. If it is, I'm changing jobs now. UNIX obviously doesn't pay enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Yeah if I remember correctly Photographer is one of Neils past professions. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TTK Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 @puggy......watch selling isn't my profession.......it's my hobby.....and believe me...try handholding a 20x16 wooden plate camera......t'aint easy....! The big 'silver chimney' is a Cambo Studio Stand.......weighs 120kg......and is fitted with a Cambo CBH5 ball and socket head......! The Linhof I picked up a good number of years ago.....I had it refurbished......in the course of which I had occasion to contact Linhof with various enquiries....at which point they made me an offer for it.....just as they were establishing their 100 year museum......they stopped at 7K.......! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Still experimenting with my upturned lever-arch file "light tent"... Here are two shots, same watch, same set-up, same lighting, with and without the lever-arch file: ... and here's 30 seconds in software on your photo: I did the patented Neil black-crushing, a hint of desaturation and a few other bits but not as much as I would normally do as the JPEG you uploaded was not good enough. No dynamic range to play with. I think you have the basic stuff sorted, now take a few thousand like that and you'll be able to rival TTK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TTK Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 I took a slight;y different road....here's 45 secs software abuse.....the only problem is....not being a lossless format...every time you open / upload / save the image it loses resolution.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 I took a slight;y different road....here's 45 secs software abuse.....the only problem is....not being a lossless format...every time you open / upload / save the image it loses resolution.... Cheating with the paintbrush! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TTK Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 "cheatin'"....are you telling me that ALL those studio ads showing beautiful watches....are cheating.....they're showing us something that's been 'worked on'......well I never.....! PS...just because you recently learned how to'crush'......ya wanna get all bitchy...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 PS...just because you recently learned how to'crush'......ya wanna get all bitchy...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TTK Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 (edited) OK..puggy........here's your personal challenge...10x photos...differing dials and backgrounds.....see how close you can replicate............and to get the members up to it.....a collection of some of my stuff that you may not have seen before........for this board.......this is the standard...and believe me even these are NOT good enough for commercial use......but put a Blad 22mp in my hands and I'll show you stuff on the page... ! Edited March 26, 2006 by TTK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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