Phots of knives

justold52 · Post by **justold52** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 7:13 am

I am working hard with my Kodak Z700 but I fell like I am not getting the scales to show the shine yet. I see so many good photos that the Carmel scales look like real candy. Any ideas why my scales are not shinny on my photos?

PA Knives · Post by **PA Knives** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 12:00 pm

HI!

Looking good, but try tilting the knives a bit. You want the light from above to reflect down and then away. The blades should look kind of white but not mirror like. Try moving the light also. Just my thoughts. YOur doing well.

sunburst · Post by **sunburst** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 1:25 pm

Hey Ken,

I don't know about the others but your pics came across really nice on my computer..Enough that I had to go pick up my drool rag..That 6 bladed Boker is fantastic and your Case is super. Is that a Case Classic??

Thanks for sharing,

Sunburst

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:11 pm

pa knives wrote:HI!

Looking good, but try tilting the knives a bit. You want the light from above to reflect down and then away. The blades should look kind of white but not mirror like. Try moving the light also. Just my thoughts. YOur doing well.

I agree with PA; the camera is focusing on the shiny blades which is the "lightest" spot because it reflects. An auto camera will adjust itself to the light of the blades rather than the surrounding area. Moving the light source or diffusing the current light will help a lot also.
The Boker looks pretty nice!

justold52 · Post by **justold52** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:37 pm

Thanks PA but if you look close you see the 45 deg. block of wood behind the knife, So it is at 45 angle now.. I am trying to move the angle of the camera more. The Boker is with the light on top. The case was with out the top light on. I tryed to back up and Zoom that was bad. You not see that one. Like my name I will JUST keep trying cuz I am OLD and SLOW.

Sunburst I think its not a Clasic

. It is Case XX Clasp Torched Genuine Whitebone Bradford PA 19 USA 91. The shield is Gold colored Bowtie style, Tang stamped "Winston Cup Champion". Came in a gray and red box.
I have no idea what it is worth. JUST looks nice to me too.

Hukk do you mean block the light more like add more sheets on all sides and top. To make less light get throught the sheets? ok I will try this.

Thank you 3 for the nice words too.

PA Knives · Post by **PA Knives** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:41 pm

PS,

don't forget to try changing the exposure level also. I fought for quite a while even after Mark Z told me about it before I realize that it was the problem. I set mine at +1 for the best, but even camera is different

Also, you want to remove all shadows if possible. This is attained by movement of your lights and degree angle of the knife and camera. Mostly lighting though. If you have shadows like in the first photo it means lights aren't quite right. Move in closer to get the tang stamp clearer too. That's what knife nuts like to see too. Your doing great, keep it up.

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 8:28 pm

justold52 wrote: Hukk do you mean block the light more like add more sheets on all sides and top. To make less light get throught the sheets? ok I will try this.

Yep, you got it. The Boker still looks better than most of mine. I need to build a light box. Yeah, it's on that REAL LONG project list.

Blade Runner · Post by **Blade Runner** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:38 am

Hey justold52, I am posting an image of my lighting set up. In my opinion one of the most important keys is the right lighing. Notice the small piece of white styrofoam in the foreground, this kept just below camera level between you and the knife to do away with bolster reflection. You want those blades reflecting the white ceiling of the light box. Now since you have the same camera as mine turn the dial to the PAS mode then press menu. Set focal length to macro. Then set the exposure metering to center spot. Focus Zone should be on "center zone" These settings should help try them and get back to me.
Gary

Blade Runner · Post by **Blade Runner** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:48 am

Here is a photo with the lihting set up and camera settings mentioned above. It was taken with my Kodak Z700. By the way the Z700 was recently discontinued.
Gary

sunburst · Post by **sunburst** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 1:53 am

As always I have found your pictures top notch Blade Runner. They are crisp, clear and uncluttered.

I have a few questions for you guys on pictures and no it's not my lame way of getting more of my pics on the site...

On the following 3 pictures I wonder what your thoughts are??

1) Picture one is the fixed blade, it looks ok but I still have a shadow down at the bottom right hand corner and wondered if it takes away from the presentation of the knife.

2) Picture two is my lame attempt at setting up props with the knife, I feel like I just cannot ever get the right combination that some folks get with their pictures and the light shine on the blade is distracting.

3) Picture three in my opinion is the perfect shot that makes a person want to purchase or own the knife in the picture.

All of these opinions are only that opinions and I critic my pics very hard. One thing I have observed in the many hours of knife observing is that a good quality picture can make folks drool over a knife they never had a thought of purchasing and if you are into selling knives or just sharing what you own that is a good thing...

sunburst · Post by **sunburst** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 2:02 am

Sorry but the pictures become monster pics when you click on them, it was not what I had in mind as a demonstration examples...Somehow the settings on my camera have been changed...

Blade Runner · Post by **Blade Runner** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 2:22 am

Hi Sunburst, As always it is great to hear from you. For some reason I am only seeing one photo, (the one with the props). So I'll give my thoughts on that one alone. First off if your camera has a macro setting you should be utilizing it. You want to be able to read tang stamps and see the bevels on the blades etc. If not you'll need one that does. Secondly you can't use direct light you have to use diffused light. For example the light box I posted above. The light is shined up on the ceiling and is reflected off the walls in every direction and not directly on the knife. You want scattered light not direct light...never use the camera's flash. Hope this helps.
Take Care
Gary

Blade Runner · Post by **Blade Runner** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 2:33 am

OK now I see the other two. These two actually look pretty good, but if your camera has manual settings where you can choose your settings you might get an even better picture. A macro setting is essential. I mentioned some settings that work pretty good above. My experience has been that the automatic settings won't cut it for shooting knives. I would like to be able to read all the blade etching and so forth. Pretty good pics though
Gary

justold52 · Post by **justold52** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 2:37 am

It is not EZ to teach an OLD DOG new tricks

But YOU sure helped me lots man.
I can run and jump now and even wag my tail at the same time now.
If I see you out some day I will even give you a big lick.

I was useing the close up setting befor.
I am getting my scales to shin now KOOL

I fell this will work lots better. Soon I be KOOL photo taker.

Thanks VERY much Blade Runner and/or Gary

OOPS THANKS to ALL that added things here TOO Sunburst, Hukk,and pa knives. Each thing you added did work and helped.

Blade Runner · Post by **Blade Runner** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 2:42 am

Well, your a pretty good ol' dog but I think I'll pass on that lick. LOL
Gary

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 2:59 am

Blade Runner wrote:Well, your a pretty good ol' dog but I think I'll pass on that lick. LOL
Gary

I'll second that!
Gary,
I have a couple+ questions about your lighting set up.
What kind of bulbs do you use? Do you use the incandescent, the scew in type florescent and do you use regular or full spectrum bulbs and what is the wattage? I realize that every set up may require different lighting (like styrofoam may require a different wattage or bulb type than say cardboard).
I plan to build a light box sometime in the future and I like your photos. I'm looking for a good starting point and then go from there, every brand of camera seems a little different.
Thanks, Darrell

johnnierotten · Post by **johnnierotten** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:01 am

Blade runner,thats a nice little lighting setup,I think I will try that ..

Sunburst..Thats some sweet knives you got there!!

Blade Runner · Post by **Blade Runner** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:08 am

Hukk, they are just regular 100 watt soft white bulbs. These are just right for a small light box like mine. A very big light box might require higher watts. Thanks johnnierotten good luck.
Gary

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:49 am

Thanks Gary, I know I'll get to it in the next few months. It will certainly improve my knife photos.

Blade Runner · Post by **Blade Runner** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:54 am

Good luck Darrell, I look forward to seeing some great shots
Gary