What am I doing wrong...?

[Macros]

I have a decent camera (Minolta Dimage Z6 digital , 6 MP's) but this is what I get!!!!

Help!!!



and this...

[Adam]

the third one looks really good

I am no expert but I to me it seems that the two most important things are lighting and well lighting.

Make sure the camera flash is off first of all. Second have a good source of light, natural light works great, or you make a cheap lightbox and use whatever kind of light you want, then just play around with diffeerent camera angles and repositioning the watch until they start to come out good.

Another thing is make sure the camera is set to macro mode for close ups and a tripod is a HUGE help when photographing watches.

Anyway those are a few tips, i am sure that the other better photographers can give you some more advice.

the main thing is to practice, different lights, angles, camera modes, etc.

Have fun

Adam

[Sam]

Adam's right....lighting & a tripod are the two biggest things. Make sure your flash is off, too.

Keep trying!

That 3rd pic is good.

[erik]

sam said:

Adam's right....lighting & a tripod are the two biggest things. Make sure your flash is off, too.

Keep trying!

That 3rd pic is good.

[MartynJC (UK)]

Hi Mac62 -

I'd say all good advise so far. For the sake of repitition:

1. Get your camera stable either on a tripod or if you don't have one have it on a seperate table or something level to what you want to take.
2. Don't use the in-built flash to illuminate your subject - use lamps (ordinary ones) or daylight ie put your watch on a window sill - best during a cloudy day as you don't get heavy shadows.
3. (So) make sure the built-in flash is switched off
4. Use 'macro' mode if shooting up close - check your manual - and if you can use manual focus so you can control things
5. Control exposure - try using automatic exposure in aperture priority using an aperture of f8 to start with and experiment - depends on how much light you have to play with
6. Use delayed shutter release - stops camera shake and therefore blurred images
7. White Balance (WB) - Take a reading for white balance (WB) by holding up a piece of A4 white paper where the watch is going to go and measure the color balance, this will stop you getting yellow casting on your photos under incandecent light bulbs
8. Focus carefully - on the part of the watch you want in focus ie the face, the case etc - check the camera display, but experiment a bit - use manual focus if you can as this give you the control.
9. Check composition - look at what is in the picture. Does it include and exclude what you want. Check what is behind your subject - is it looking how you want it. By controlling the aperture this will keep the background out or in focus (higher f-stop bigger 'depth of field' ie f22 more is in focus than at f2)
10. Check your lighting - are there shadows / unwanted glare on you subject - try moving the subject a bit to get rid of unwanted artifacts.

All good fun - but keep posting, please!!! All the best and yes #3 is great.

[Warren]

Great advice Martyn, we should rename this thread the ten commandments of watch photography. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

[Sam]

martynjc said:

higher f-stop bigger 'depth of field' ie f22 more is in focus than at f2

I had been wondering about this. I couldn't remember if higher f-stop = more or less depth of field. Thanks!

[MartynJC (UK)]

wetowne said:

Great advice Martyn, we should rename this thread the ten commandments of watch photography. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

Great idea

Just trying to help out... if I can

[Macros]

Hi Guys! Thanks for all the great advice I've tried a few things and hopefully my results are improving? (see "My Sub" thread for the latest pics)

Sorry for the delay in thanking you all for the advice! I'm a worm!!!
I got hung up on the Sub swap for SD thing and forgot to check my photo advice thread!!!! (knob ed' !)


Mac