The new trend.

[espn77]

I've noticed a new trend in the knife world. The way pictures are taken. Its taking a picture with the knife pointing straight at you. This is very frustrating for my eyes. I must be alone in this because I noticed it start with a couple of the most popular sellers on Ebay and it has drifted into AAPK. I struggle with being able to see the knife. I'll take a stab at it.

[espn77]

This is my old style of picture taking.

[jerryd6818]

I am with you 100% Keith. Give me straightforward shots that show the knife as it is, not some artsy fartsy, gee ain't I clever shot. Those shots always make me wonder what they're trying to hide.

[bestgear]

This is my old style of picture taking.

I like this much better Keith but I'm old school just about everything these days (I'm becoming my dad )

[KnifeSlinger#81]

I don't mind the blade forward style of picture if it's just for a picture, but if it's a knife that you're looking to buy that makes it difficult to tell the condition of the blades (as in if they're full or not). I do still prefer the regular style.

[eveled]

I don’t mind the first set of pictures. As long as they are in addition to the second set. Nice to see every angle. Most important thing to me is focus light and a solid background.

[espn77]

Paul, you have a point there. In the knife photography thread there are some great pictures, different angles and backgrounds. For buying a knife if I can get a straight on front back top and bottom picture I don't need the seller to say anything about blade length, condition because I can see it in the picture.

[peanut740]

The only reason for Ebay pictures to be shot at angles is to deceive.......or you are a dumb***.Now if you are just posting a knife on a forum they are ok if you also show some straight on shots.

[danno50]

Completely agree, photos in the knife discussion forums should be in the style Keith has shown. I really do not like the knife pointed towards the viewer style.
There are a lot of very nice artistic photos in the "Knife Photography" thread, started by Scott. I do enjoy looking through that thread, however, I consider them nice photos with knife content.

[Colonel26]

I agree. I like nice straight on photos if I’m buying a knife. The artsy stuff is kind of like in my farming days when we’d go to farm equipment sales. The tractors that were all cleaned up and painted always made you wonder what they were trying to hide.

[jlw257]

The only reason for Ebay pictures to be shot at angles is to deceive.......or you are a dumb***.Now if you are just posting a knife on a forum they are ok if you also show some straight on shots.

[Meridian_Mike]

I don't care for that "knife pointing at you" way of photography....

Sorta reminds you of being attacked...

[Paladin]

The only reason for Ebay pictures to be shot at angles is to deceive.......or you are a dumb***.Now if you are just posting a knife on a forum they are ok if you also show some straight on shots.

I may be a dumb*** but in order to avoid heavy shadows on shiney blades and/or bolsters I have to give it some angle. No artsy - fartsy stuff and no deception but I need to turn it so that blades are clearly shown. As for the reflection of the camera and even the tripod, forget about it. I cannot keep those off the left bolster.

Ray

[KnifeSlinger#81]

The only reason for Ebay pictures to be shot at angles is to deceive.......or you are a dumb***.Now if you are just posting a knife on a forum they are ok if you also show some straight on shots.

I may be a dumb*** but in order to avoid heavy shadows on shiney blades and/or bolsters I have to give it some angle. No artsy - fartsy stuff and no deception but I need to turn it so that blades are clearly shown. As for the reflection of the camera and even the tripod, forget about it. I cannot keep those off the left bolster.

Ray

Ray your photos are much better than most, I think you do a fine job showing what needs to be shown.

[royal0014]

Figured it was just me that doesn't like the angle thing .....

[peanut740]

The only reason for Ebay pictures to be shot at angles is to deceive.......or you are a dumb***.Now if you are just posting a knife on a forum they are ok if you also show some straight on shots.

I may be a dumb*** but in order to avoid heavy shadows on shiney blades and/or bolsters I have to give it some angle. No artsy - fartsy stuff and no deception but I need to turn it so that blades are clearly shown. As for the reflection of the camera and even the tripod, forget about it. I cannot keep those off the left bolster.

Ray

Ray,I have seen your photos,and you do show straight on shots of your knives also.I agree at times you do need an angled photo of an etch or crack etc.I have no problem wuth that. There are some out there that show not one straight on photo.And for the record you seem to have better than average smarts!

[Paladin]

The only reason for Ebay pictures to be shot at angles is to deceive.......or you are a dumb***.Now if you are just posting a knife on a forum they are ok if you also show some straight on shots.

I may be a dumb*** but in order to avoid heavy shadows on shiney blades and/or bolsters I have to give it some angle. No artsy - fartsy stuff and no deception but I need to turn it so that blades are clearly shown. As for the reflection of the camera and even the tripod, forget about it. I cannot keep those off the left bolster.

Ray

Ray,I have seen your photos,and you do show straight on shots of your knives also.I agree at times you do need an angled photo of an etch or crack etc.I have no problem wuth that. There are some out there that show not one straight on photo.And for the record you seem to have better than average smarts!

Thanks, Roger. I always feel like I have a lot to learn about photography.

Ray

[terryl308]

If you just trying to sell a knife, the photo's need to be just as acurate as possible, no forward distorted pics. Makes the blades look abnormally long. Straight on for me. Terry

[RalphAlsip]

This has been an interesting topic to read to understand how folks use pictures to evaluate knives. I would guess that the majority of knives today (2019) are bought by evaluating knife pictures vs. having the knife in the hand. Which means good pictures are really important to both the buyer and the seller. Here are the 6 or 7 picture views that I like to see:

1. Straight on front handle, blades closed.
2. Straight on back handle, blades closed
3. Straight on front handle, blades open
4. Straight on back handle, blades open
5. Straight on top-down, blades closed (pet peeve: highly important, but most likely not to be included)
6. Straight on bottom up, blades closed
7. If the stamps cannot be easily read from the blades open views, then additional close-up pictures of the stamps are warranted.

[FRJ]

What I appreciate most of all is when the pictures are in "focus".

[espn77]

My favorite pictures are the one where people shut the lights off. Get in the closet and take pictures.

[LongBlade]

Like many I don’t mind arranged shots with different blade angles though not a fan of the OP photo of blade.. but when buying a knife I like to see all and straight on views - no bizarre angles which always triggers photo requests (and some sellers won’t even oblige the requests which scratches the knife off my list)- same exact requests as Jerry listed I can’t believe how many times I need to ask on eBay particularly on knives of real interest - almost becomes tiring )...

For the forums I try to post mark and pile sides, blades open and tang stamps plus when there is something else interesting top down on blades or backspring photos too (eg, file work, milling of liners)...

In terms of reflections I will say indirect dispersed light is the only way to go - so much easier than trying indirect light from lamps which never gave me a good photo.. outdoors in late day light can be excellent ...

My favorite pictures are the one where people shut the lights off. Get in the closet and take pictures.

[robbobus]

In addition to Ralph's post, I like a top down, blades open so I can see in the blade well and blades open backside to see the tang and spring alignment.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

I’ve learned something here. I usually don’t include a picture of the knife closed. I will have to start adding that to my photos. I do think a picture or two beside a ruler is helpful. Although I include that in every knife I sell or post for that matter, it’s amazing how many times I am asked about the OAL from a buyer. I answer politely the length and say to see picture 3 of the knife next to a ruler. Astonishing how many people never look beyond the first photo posted and at all the photos. The usual reply is “sorry I didn’t look at all the photos.”
By the way I don’t like the funny angles on photos either. Nor do I like looking on eBay at knives and seeing someone’s face instead of a knife in the first photo. Glad that isn’t a common practice.
SSk

[peanut740]

If you are going to use a ruler,line the end of a bolster up with an inch mark.Just don't lay the knife anywhere close to a ruler.Just my additional 2 cents.