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New pics of knives

Hello all. I just got a couple of remote flashes (SB600) for my Nikon D70S. For those of you who are not familiar, they work remotely (wirelessly) with the onboard flash. By using two of them set on tripods, aiming through my portable studio they create great pics with no need for a camera tripod because there is plenty of light allowing me to use higher shutter speeds. Here are a couple of pics which have been photoshopped some.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Carter on February 24, 2010 at 1:38

3-point lighting makes a big difference doesn't it? Nice work!

I have been into photography since I was 14 years old (a loooong time ago) but found it was a whole new ballgame when I started photographing knives.

My biggest challenge was controlling reflections. Since I photograph a lot of mirror polished blades, I always seemed to get myself or something esle reflected in the blade or guards at my preferred angles. I finally build a large light box that surrounds the knife in with white diffusion material.

That controls the reflections but sometimes gives a polished blade the appearance of a satin finish. It a delicate balance. You almost have to show something reflested in a blade to show that it is polished but then you don't want the reflection to distract from the knife.

Permalink Reply by Andy Voelkle "AxeMan" on February 24, 2010 at 10:57

First, it's a really great looking knife. Your photography is especially fine the way you compose the images into one image that illustrates everything. Wish I could do 0ne a fraction this well!

Permalink Reply by David Villiard on February 24, 2010 at 10:57

Yes Mike, I too have been into photography nearly my whole life. my mother had a dark room in the basement, and I used to hang out with her all the time. Knife photography is Very difficult indeed. As far as reflections... you are absolutely right. Here's a perfect example of trying to overcome a shiny knife.

Permalink Reply by David Villiard on February 24, 2010 at 10:59

Kyley... the backgrounds (other than the Martin which is blue velvet) were created completely in photoshop using texture creating filters.
Dave V

Permalink Reply by Trent Rock on March 2, 2010 at 0:44

How high of shutter speed do you use?
1/1000?
1/2000?

Looks great!!
Never heard of that technique
It makes sense though....

Permalink Reply by David Villiard on March 2, 2010 at 10:29

Since I'm using higher F stops, I almost always shoot at shutter speeds of around 500. I could go higher, but then I'd have to lower my Fstop, thus creating less "depth of field", which would make one end or the other (of the knife) a bit out of focus when shooting at an angle.

Permalink Reply by Derek Smith on March 23, 2010 at 22:24

Nice work, actually these are amazing if you're are only using a couple of Nikon flashes.

Permalink Reply by Rusty R Halsey on February 22, 2011 at 19:50

I've been trying a new approach to my photos, simple but colorful. This is fun. Please pardon showing another club's knives.

Permalink Reply by Billy Oneale on February 22, 2011 at 22:34

Great pictures,David. I bought a dslr camera about 4 months ago along with a portable photo studio. I sure am having trouble trying to find the right lighting conditions. I am pretty new at trying to take pics of my knives. I guess it will take me a while to learn how to use the new camera. I have only used point and shoot camera's before buying this.

Permalink Reply by Gerald Hines on March 12, 2011 at 2:11

I usually have a blank sheet of copy paper handy when I take pics of knives with polished blades or blade etching, held in the right position it will do away with any unwanted reflections.

Mike Carter said:

3-point lighting makes a big difference doesn't it? Nice work!

I have been into photography since I was 14 years old (a loooong time ago) but found it was a whole new ballgame when I started photographing knives.

My biggest challenge was controlling reflections. Since I photograph a lot of mirror polished blades, I always seemed to get myself or something esle reflected in the blade or guards at my preferred angles. I finally build a large light box that surrounds the knife in with white diffusion material.

That controls the reflections but sometimes gives a polished blade the appearance of a satin finish. It a delicate balance. You almost have to show something reflested in a blade to show that it is polished but then you don't want the reflection to distract from the knife.

Permalink Reply by KK Low on June 25, 2012 at 8:21