Gary G
3734
Thanks abe - as for technique...
...I've been resolving for some time to put up a longer post (perhaps on the TimeOut page here) on a few of my approaches -- just haven't gotten around to it.
The basics: I shoot a Nikon D800E (or as I call it, God's Own Macro Camera) with the Nikon 85mm PC-E tilt-shift lens. Often (but not always) use a circular polarizer, which reduces unwanted reflections but can (with the D800E, at least) promote unwanted purple and green color shifts. I use a light tent along with two movable fluorescent dome lights, lots of sheets of paper for diffusion effects, and a small hand-held flashlight (from time to time, to throw a spot of light or a shadow).
The PC-E allows me to catch many shots that are not straight on in a single exposure -- for the severe angle shots, however, I do focus stacking. I prefer to use Photoshop for stacking (as it yields a more "live" image in my opinion) but sometimes PS is not capable of dealing with highly complex image stacks, so I have Helicon Focus (which uses a simpler algorithm) as a backup.
For post-processing, the best thing that I can recommend is for you to buy MIng Thein's workflow video (you can search on the Web and find it easily). I've been taking lessons from Ming (the real secret sauce here) and have learned an immense amount.
Hope that gives at least an initial view!
Best,
Gary
5550 Photos...
Greetings to all! My good fortune continues in terms of watch loans from generous friends, with the opportunity this past week to shoot this lovely watch. For me the most beautiful bit is not the silicium escapement, but rather the wonderful brushed metal...
Wow -- that's a world record for response speed!
Just barely got to edit the message to add a couple of spaces, and there was your note! Thanks for the kind words -- some day I'll hope to get my wrist shot skills up to some small percentage of yours... Best, Gary
Thanks, Julian!
Definitely agree -- this is definitely very near the top of my PP wish list... Best, Gary
Superb shots !
The silver dial certainly does one no favors , but u pulled it off quite superbly ! Love the macro dial shot the best ! With the hands reflecting in just the right amount. Beautiful ! Ps. Not sure if its the uploader, the aspect ratio of the photos appear...
Aspect ratio issue
To avoid the destructive effects of the PuristS photo uploader (lots of compression, loss of brightness and dynamic range) I have been uploading to Flickr lately and then including links to my photos there. On an IPhone, I can see the odd change in aspect...
Reporting back
Hi Gary, The photos appear distorted on both my windows machine (office laptop) and my personal macbook pro. The photos however, appears pefect in flickr, again from both my laptops. Strange indeed ....... Hmmm
Hmm...
...will take up with site management -- as you reported, they seem fine on Flickr so there's something lost in translation. Best, Gary
Whoa!
Is it the watch or the quality of the photos! Both I suspect. :) Thanks for sharing these incredible shots Gary. cheers fernando
Thanks, fernando!
This watch was one of my favorites to photograph -- perhaps because of some of the difficulties involved. Glad you liked the photos! Best, Gary
Thanks so much, my friend!
I've started getting back into my earlier "style" (tight crops, some unusual angles) but applying the lessons learned from my teacher. Very pleased that you like the result! Best, Gary
Perfect photos!!! Superb!!!
For the first time I see pics of the gorgeous 5550P matching the outstanding beauty of this watch. Well done! Perhaps now people realize the beauty of this stunning piece. It is getting more and more beautiful and surprises me each day. Thats what I love ...
I am quite envious!
Congratulations on your ownership of this lovely piece! I'm very pleased indeed that you think the photos are worthy of its beauty when seen in person. Best, Gary
FABULOUS SHOTS ...
That is really amazing photos for an amazing watch. Thanks for sharing.
A treat for me to have the opportunity!
...both to take the photos in the first place and to be able to share them with you and others here. Thanks! Best, Gary
Fantastic pictures,
I wish I could do the same. Like Nico, I enjoyed most picture #4. The others are simply great but how to get to the photos the shine of the metal without disturbing reflections? The watch is also stunning - to more I look at it, the more I like it. Best, ...
PIcture #4
...is a bit out of the norm, but that is perhaps why it is so much fun. I agree with you that it is very difficult to include the metallic nature of the dial without blanking it out through undue reflection! best, Gary
Is it rude to ask what kind of gear
you are using for these macros? I understand that the biggest issue are the skills of the photographer but still, your macros are so impressive and sharp that I must ask. Best, Kari
Not rude at all!
In fact, thanks for asking -- always happy to share info. I am using a Nikon D800E with the 85mm PC-E tilt-shift lens. Light tent with two free-standing fluorescent dome lights and of course a sturdy tripod. Depending on the watch I will sometimes use a c...
Thanks Gary!
I did not realize that the tilt-shift lens would be useful. I need to try... Best, Kari
"For me the most beautiful bit is ... but rather the wonderful brushed metallic dial"
Indeed, it adds a lot of the charm to the watch. If there would be any flaw, we could spot it easily on your outstanding pictures. Thanks, for sharing! Only thing missing, is a picture on your/someones´s wrist ... :-) Oliver ...
Nothing too strange about it!
I agree -- this wrist shot renders the real-world feel extremely well! Best, Gary
Wonderful wrist shot, Oliver
That angle and the light really bring the dial alive! Best, Gary
Exceptional fotos Gary
You did this watch true justice by exposing its natural state. Wonderful foto skills Gary. Thank u for sharing it w us. Best Iceman
Thanks, Iceman
As I do more and more photography of watches, I seem to be moving toward more of a photo-realistic approach (trying to convey the watch as it is or stressing its most characteristic features) rather than adding contrast or lighting that make the watch int...
Speechless...........
Gary, they say that a picture is worth a thousand words, well in your case, lets say a million. :) The 4th photo and the macro shot at the end, surely show this piece for what it is..............STUNNING!
Trying hard, Topcat!
The great thing for me is that this is very much a hobby (as opposed to a job) which makes it the best of all worlds -- I can shoot and post-process pretty much on my own schedule, and still be able to share with my friends here. Best, Gary
Bruno, that is the point! No matter what watch or forum!
This are the best photos I've ever seen...Congrats!
Well, now I'm humbled
...for sure! I really appreciate your kind words -- it was a real honor having the chance to shoot this watch, and I will continue to work on my technique and presentation, as there is always a lot of room for improvement! Best, Gary
You capture the dial very nicely
thanks for sharing Gary, impressive shots as usual and getting better. Cheers,
Thanks for your note, Quan!
Great to hear from you -- hope you are doing well. Best, Gary
Fantastic pics
Best I have seen; Gary would you mind sharing your technique? i.e lens, camera, lighting technique? Thanks again.
Thanks abe - as for technique...
...I've been resolving for some time to put up a longer post (perhaps on the TimeOut page here) on a few of my approaches -- just haven't gotten around to it. The basics: I shoot a Nikon D800E (or as I call it, God's Own Macro Camera) with the Nikon 85mm ...
CPL
Hi Gary, I found the Rodensotck CPLs giving the least colour fringing, if any. Not the cheapest but the best I have tried. The second best was surprisingly the Corkins, but that requires a filter holder and casts unwanted shadows cos of the entire contrap...
Seems to be a aftersought watch!
Yesterday I saw for the first time a 5550P offered in the net (Chrono24) by a well known dealer in Geneva. I wrote an email and asked for the price. He asked more than 30% above listprice...It was sold within one day! We know this from the past with these...
Limited production watches always seem to command a premium
Just as with any limited production watch models, I am sure they will command a premium in the after market. Does anyone know if all the 300 watches produced are already in the hands of collectors and gray market dealers? Has PP held back any from their r...
Amazing watch Gary, but some of the photoa
appear distorted. And I think you oversharpened them? They cut into my retina! :) Cheers Mech.
Aspect ratios
I've been having some problems with posting links to my Flickr account here on PuristS and have asked tech support for the site to look into it -- this is what is causing the aspect ratio problems with distortion. If you double click on the images themsel...
