WATCH PHOTOGRAPHY

IanW wrote in post #19325293
My Christopher Ward watches.

All pictures were focus-stacked in Helicon Focus. Pictures were taken with crowns pulled to freeze hands and then photoshopped back in place.

Really nice work Ian. I love my 2012 C60 Forum LE. I've owned a dozen or so CW's over the years, great watches! That forum LE is one that will never leave the collection though!

IanW wrote in post #19325293
My Christopher Ward watches.

All pictures were focus-stacked in Helicon Focus. Pictures were taken with crowns pulled to freeze hands and then photoshopped back in place.

I do this all the time for my businesses: The WatchTographer and PIX-EDC. Focus stacking can really bring out the beauty of a watch while still maintaining the awesome bokeh of a shallower DOF.

I spy the Omega logo on the crystal.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2mW6​K1x

jayhova wrote in post #5646866
Great shots! I am curious what kind of setup would one use to get the watch floating in mid air effect? Such as in shots 3 and 4?

Back in the days of film, when digital postprocessing tools did not make it as very easy to retouch things out of photos, the professional product photography specialist (or his employee) would work perhaps hours simply to create a set to capture a photo. That set would have a means of putting a supporting rod through the backdrop material in the background or up through the horizontal surface below the item, to support something which would provide not-visible-to-lens support to the item being photographed (hidden by the product being shot), which might use a clip/clamp/adhesive for holding the product in place for the shot. And tricks to the eye might even fool the viewer into thinking 'hanging' although the item might be fully supported 'from below'.

And once created, the set or supporting structure could be stored and brought out for re-use, or modified slightly before reuse.

I made up this stand to do a "floating" type shots and depending how positioned it will achieve that. There generally remains a minimal amount cloning in most cases. For those that have good post skills for masking-cut-paste, it is easy. I am so-so so I want to achieve as much in camera as possible.

Photo from ra40's gallery.
Image hosted by forum (1089588)

Photo from ra40's gallery.
Image hosted by forum (1090609)

Photo from ra40's gallery.
Image hosted by forum (1089233)

Seiko 5 black field watch.

Single speedlite in a softbox, multiple reflector boards and three exposure layers blended by hand.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2mVZ​Xtg

Auguste Robin’s The Thinker with a Rolex Pepsi on its wrist.
Now for eternity, he has something to stare at!

Marloe Coniston Black Edition

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2mWW​M9G

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2mWW​M8K

Looking around the house for a good setting.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2mX5​hs1

Playing with new flash (Godox TT600).

Marloe Coniston Black Edition.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2mX7​dS2

From a clients collection

J.M.Studebakers pocket watch.

Casio Vintage Digital

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2mXm​XrX

IanW wrote in post #19331013
Casio Vintage Digital

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2mXm​XrX Casio Vintage Digital Watch by Ian Waller, on Flickr

That brings back some memories, I had a watch very similar to that one when I was in the seventh grade in the mid seventies.
I really liked that watch, it was one of my all time favorites and I literally wore it out, had it for many years until it was no longer usable, I think I might still have it tucked away somewhere.

Christopher Ward C60 Trident Pro

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2mXm​f3r