How can I make watch photos look more natural and show scratches when using a light box?
Asked 4/9/2021
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2 answers
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I’m new to photography and currently shoot watches in a small light box. My photos look too flat and unnatural compared with professional examples, and I’m struggling to show surface scratches and texture on the case and bracelet. I also get strong reflections in the crystal, including seeing myself or the camera when shooting straight on.
My current settings are ISO 100, 1/50s, f/10. I’ve tried diffusing the light with white paper around the lens, but that created a dark dot reflection. I’d like a setup that gives a more natural look with visible imperfections, without relying on lots of Photoshop since I have many watches to photograph for eBay.
What lighting approach should I use with a light box, or should I change the setup entirely?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
5y ago
2 Answers
4
A light box/tent provides extremely flat lighting; that's the opposite of what you want for showing scratches/textures. I don't know of anyone who does high level product photography that uses one...
But to start, use just one light off to the side at more of an angle to show the textures (up to 90*). And place it right against the fabric in order to make it smaller/harder. That's about the best you will do with the tent setup for showing texture... then combine it with these setups/results (i.e. add other lights).
For highly reflective subjects I find it is easier to think of creating the environment the object will reflect rather than lighting per se. I.e. if you want an area lighter, place something lighter colored there (lighting); and if you want it darker, place something darker there (negative lighting).
As far as the frontal image and lens reflection... you did well creating the white mask. The next thing to do is the make the reflection much smaller by using a longer lens from much farther away. Then the reflection may be small enough to be easily edited out, or you may have to intentionally place the reflection slightly off to opposite sides in two image to combine in post.
Originally by user70370. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user70370
5y ago
0
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A light box/tent is great for soft, even light, but that flat light is exactly why scratches and texture are hard to see. For watches, use more directional light: try one light from the side or from above camera-left/right at an angle, rather than blasting the tent evenly from all sides. Harder, angled light will reveal texture better.
With reflective subjects, think less about “lighting the watch” and more about controlling what the watch reflects. If you want a bright reflection, place a white surface there; if you want darker definition, place something dark there. Shooting straight-on makes it easy to reflect yourself/camera in the crystal.
Also check white balance. Cheap light-box LEDs can cause a green cast, so set a custom white balance with a white card instead of relying on auto WB.
Finally, keep the scene very clean: lint, dust, and background specks make product shots look off.
So: angled side light, less overall diffusion, careful control of reflected surroundings, custom white balance, and a cleaner setup. If possible, lights with modifiers give more control than a light tent.
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