MOP/Pearl photography

[zed6309]

I*XL Sheffield

[Duffer]

Thanks Joe--appreciate your nice comments on my MOP folders and photograph! Your explanations/comments in another post regarding a dark or black background and controlling the amount of light were very useful and helpful. Still need to continue practicing and experimenting.

[FRJ]

Thank you, Lloyd, I'm glad you found my example helpful. It is certainly a work in progress for me, always.
Part of what I was trying to convey was that the process doesn't have to be store bought or expensive. It can be home made with what you have. It's simply controlling light and seeing results.

[kamagong]

I agree about the difficulty in photographing MOP. I haven't figured out any techiques in good pics, other than taking a bunch until you luck into some...hahaha.

[Quick Steel]

robbobus, dinadin, FRJ,wazu:

I think the big challenge of photographing MOP is showing both the "fire" and the knife. Having reviewed the entire thread I think only a handful have succeeded in solving the puzzle. Meaning there are many nice pictures but in a majority of cases showing the total knife challenges the ability to bring out the highlights of the MOP. Does that make sense? There are a few who have mastered the technique. I listed their names above and I sincerely apologize to others I may have overlooked.

I've shown this before but maybe it will clarify my point. Moving in close with my camera lets me catch lots of the MOP color. But it is not a good "knife photo" because it doesn't show much of the knife. Given the limitations of me and my camera, I cannot yet show both. It is something for me to work on.

[1967redrider]

I tried to capture the colors and translucence of the pearl in these Keen Kutters using back-lit sunlight.

[gsmith7158]

Some Old Case Pearls!

[Duffer]

Greg those are some very attractive Case Pearl folders and very nicely photographed Well done!

[gsmith7158]

Thanks Duffer! Brushing up my photo skills on a cold wintry day.

[knife7knut]

Photographing mother of pearl or abalone or paua shell is a crapshoot at best.Some knives seem to photograph better with a black background while others benefit from a lighter background. I've used blue;white;natural wood for backgrounds and tried lighting setups ranging from two directed beams at about 45 degrees from vertical to electronic flash(shooting from about 5 ft away on macro with the image filling the screen)to natural sunlight. Every knife seems to photograph differently. Many times I will polish the pearl with Mother's Mag Wheel Polish just before I shoot the picture which helps to bring out the color play if it is in there.Sometimes you have to try different angles until the color starts to show. A lot of the time I shoot in my bathroom where there are 4 clear bulbs over the mirror. Don't use it if I'm shooting a polished blade though;too many reflections. I do use it to shoot tang stamps though. Shoot those about 2 ft out on macro and fill the screen. Here are some that I have shot.

[Quick Steel]

K7K, I am just sitting here sort of awestruck by both your knives and your photos.

[BWT]

Some Old Case Pearls!

Good looking collection of knives, thanks for sharing.

[BWT]

Photographing mother of pearl or abalone or paua shell is a crapshoot at best.Some knives seem to photograph better with a black background while others benefit from a lighter background. I've used blue;white;natural wood for backgrounds and tried lighting setups ranging from two directed beams at about 45 degrees from vertical to electronic flash(shooting from about 5 ft away on macro with the image filling the screen)to natural sunlight. Every knife seems to photograph differently. Many times I will polish the pearl with Mother's Mag Wheel Polish just before I shoot the picture which helps to bring out the color play if it is in there.Sometimes you have to try different angles until the color starts to show. A lot of the time I shoot in my bathroom where there are 4 clear bulbs over the mirror. Don't use it if I'm shooting a polished blade though;too many reflections. I do use it to shoot tang stamps though. Shoot those about 2 ft out on macro and fill the screen. Here are some that I have shot.

Very nice, after looking at yours, I considered throwing mine out in the backyard. Thanks for sharing.

[Dinadan]

Greg - very nice Case knives!

K7K - the first three photos that you posted really caught the fire! Of course, the fire has to be there to be caught: beautiful knifes!

[knife7knut]

[quote="knife7knut"
Very nice, after looking at yours, I considered throwing mine out in the backyard. Thanks for sharing.

DON"T DO THAT! I' ll send you my address and you can just stick em in the mail.
Pearl has always been my favorite handle material even though it is very fragile and usually will not survive even a little drop. When I carry a pearl knife it is always in a cushioned pouch;preferably thick leather. Old pearl will chip very easily from rattling around with loose change or keys.I even have a couple with corkscrews that are chipped from letting the corkscrew slam shut.
One time I bought a beautiful John S. Holler pearl pen with an engraved shield and was transporting it home and it fell off the car seat and lodged in the seat track. Couldn't see it and slid the seat back and removed half the handle!
Here are a few more and some stuff made of pearl. The J.A.Henckels manicure set has in addition to a pearl handled knife all of the tools in it made of carved pearl.
The calling card case unfortunately was missing the top. I use it to hold the carved pearl manicure tools.
The huge assemblage of pearl pieces is from an old hand fan. I bought it with the idea of using the pieces to repair handles but couldn't bring myself to cut up the beautiful pieces some of which are huge!(the background is one inch squares).

[knife7knut]

Page 2 A couple in here are very old. The R.Bunting dates to the 1840.s, The Ward 4 blade congress the same era. The Repeat Needham Bro.s has an ivory blade!(sadly broken). The G&J Allen Wharncliffe is also 1840;s era with the carved pearl handles with piquing(silver pins inserted in the handle(.

[knife7knut]

Last ones for now.

[knife7knut]

Just realized I forgot to post the Henckels manicure kit Sorry.

[BWT]

Page 2 A couple in here are very old. The R.Bunting dates to the 1840.s, The Ward 4 blade congress the same era. The Repeat Needham Bro.s has an ivory blade!(sadly broken). The G&J Allen Wharncliffe is also 1840;s era with the carved pearl handles with piquing(silver pins inserted in the handle(.

That's quite a collection of MOP. I just started collecting this year, so I have a ways to go. So far I try to stick to the older knives, just something about them, I really looking at any knife, especially the older ones, thanks again.

[Dinadan]

K7K - very impressive collection of MOP. Pearl is so fragile that I am impressed with the skill of a craftsman who can just fit a nice set of scales on a knife without cracking them. To see the fine carving on some of your collection - just wow!

Here are a couple of more of mine. Once again, late afternoon sun!

[BWT]

Mel nice photography, but even nicer knives.

[Dinadan]

Mel nice photography, but even nicer knives.

Thank you, Bill. I liked your Christmas Cactus photos over in the Knife Photography thread too.

[BWT]

Mel nice photography, but even nicer knives.

Thank you, Bill. I liked your Christmas Cactus photos over in the Knife Photography thread too.

Thanks

[Dinadan]

Here is a Bulldog in front of Carnelian and Chrysocolla spheres.

[roofsc]

Mother of pearl