HELP...BLACK dials are giving me fits!

[shive]

2 of my favorite watches have black faces and I just can't seem to make the crystal disappear! I mean it's the most frustrating thing if I under light the face totally disappears if light at all the glass seems to pick every thing up! I have tried different angels I just cant seem to get that glassless look I see so often in WTF's photos any help would be appreciated!

Thanks
Shive

[JBHII]

shive said:

2 of my favorite watches have black faces and I just can't seem to make the crystal disappear! I mean it's the most frustrating thing if I under light the face totally disappears if light at all the glass seems to pick every thing up! I have tried different angels I just cant seem to get that glassless look I see so often in WTF's photos any help would be appreciated!

Thanks
Shive

Tell us a bit more about your set up and gear for photography. We'll try and help!

[shive]

OK here we go I have a very modest setup! I have a Kodak LS443, Lens Adapter with +1 +2 +4 Macro Diopters.

I made a light box based on posts listed on TZ.
For Diffusers I use the Plastic Plates that are used in recessed lighting. I just cut them to fit my LB. I have extras to further cut down lighting as needed. I use 60wt light bulbs which is way to much I might try 25wt.

The light box also has a lid with a slot for the lens, I don't always use it but it does come in handy!

I have a shroud for my camera since it is silver...it's a flat black piece of cloth that covers the entire camera.

All my watch camera work is done in Macro Mode and my camera actually images through the lens so I can cover up the entire camera except the lens.

I have a roving light source...which is just a clam lamp attached to an old golf shaft. This gives me the option to move a light source around 4' in any direction.

I have a cheap tripod that I just hate...I want something with bearings or something really smooth!

My camera works pretty well but I really miss the manual mode. I used to use a 35mm SLR and I was pretty good! My strength was really in the Darkroom both with the chemistry and the enlarger. Today I'm trying to replace those skills with PSP...and I can digit I could never do what I do now in the darkroom ! I have attached a little collage of what I have described above!

[JBHII]

Thanks for that! big help!

OK, your setup differs very little from mine - here's a few suggestions:

1. My guess is you don't quite have enough light output with the desklamps you have. You might also consider changing the lightbult to "daylight" temperature photographic bulbs (can be had on eBay).

2. Try using a reflector card (a simple white piece of cardboard or even piece of printer paper) to chase away unwanted reflections. I will sometime hold a reflector card above a watch if I'm seeing nasty crystal aboration appearing. To pull this off, you'll probobly need either a remote shutter release, or a timed shutter release (so you have both hands free).

I hope this helps!

[Badboy]

shive said:

2 of my favorite watches have black faces and I just can't seem to make the crystal disappear!

I am very new to watch pics, however, I have used a polarization filter on my SLR to make glass reflections disappear. I don't know if that would work with digital cameras or thru digital manipulation.

Oops, just figured out that JBHII already lead us to the answer:
jholbrook.proboards33.com/index.cgi?board=photo&action=display&thread=1133358142&page=1#1133358142

There is a chapter on "Cutting through the Glare"

Thanks Mr. Holbrook!!

[200m]

The black face makes the glass a Mirror, so...
The mirror can be made to disappear by reflecting a black card into it.

Pick your shot angle for your camera, then place a large black card at an equal and opposite angle from the camera. The best part of this is if you dont understand this, look thru the camera and move around the black card. you can see it pop into the crystal. then use a stand to hold it in place.



If you are shooting straight at it, cut a hole thru the black card for your lens.

[Houston]

Cool suggestion thank you very much 200m and indeed welcome to WTF.

Hope you'll post often.

Have a good weekend.


ZIN

[JBHII]

200m said:

The black face makes the glass a Mirror, so...
The mirror can be made to disappear by reflecting a black card into it.

Pick your shot angle for your camera, then place a large black card at an equal and opposite angle from the camera. The best part of this is if you dont understand this, look thru the camera and move around the black card. you can see it pop into the crystal. then use a stand to hold it in place.


If you are shooting straight at it, cut a hole thru the black card for your lens.

Wow....great tip....I've never thought to try a black card....I usually use white to get added light reflected on to the face. Nice shot too!

[jskelton]

200m said:

The black face makes the glass a Mirror, so...
The mirror can be made to disappear by reflecting a black card into it.

Pick your shot angle for your camera, then place a large black card at an equal and opposite angle from the camera. The best part of this is if you dont understand this, look thru the camera and move around the black card. you can see it pop into the crystal. then use a stand to hold it in place.



If you are shooting straight at it, cut a hole thru the black card for your lens.

Perfect answer. For the longest time I was doing what JBH does by using bounce cards, but that still didn't allow the black dial to look as righ in color as it should have.

I went to an arts/crafts store, bought a large piece of blackboard (styrofoam middle with black cardboard on each side and cut a hole the exact size of my lens. Now I can shoot dead on and the black is rich and full.