How I photograph knives

Thanks for the links. Scott Kelby is a master, and great teacher. I've enjoyed watching him online:
http://www.photoshopusertv.com/
And have looked at some of his books.
I wish I could remember all of the things that I've "learned" in PS, but if I don't use it regularly it seems to disappear from my memory. I find it useful to use or create "Actions" for the multi-step techniques that I otherwise would forget.
Maybe, someday, I'll join NAPP, even though I'm not a professional photoshop user...another one of those "luxuries" that gets pushed to the bottom by the "necessities". Kinda like knives, huh?
 
Doc, thanks for those links.
I tried to respond via email, but my email keeps getting bounced back to me.
 
Photoshop is like the piano.
There is always room for improvement.
(I play chop sticks ;) )
 
It's so nice to see an interest in photography here! I'm a professional photographer - www.consigliophotography.com - and I shoot with Nikon D3's and an assortment of lenses. So many people think it takes high end equipment to get good product shots, but that's not the case. Good light, the right angle and a little knowledge is all you need.

Photoshop is a whole 'nother world. I've worked with Photoshop and Lightroom almost every single day for many years and Lightroom since it's Beta came out a few years ago. You can always learn more. It's also a very common mistake early on to over-do it, or just do things that look silly, just because you can. That levels out with time.

There's many great resources online. A lot of great tutorials on product photography. Here's some links for Photoshop and Lightroom.

http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/video_workshop/

http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=TipsAndTechsAct

Anything from Scott Kelby is good. Another great resource is the Strobist and One Light Workshop.

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/ - for people, but apllies to anything you need to light.

http://www.onelightworkshop.com/

I also have a ton of books from beginner to professional on Photoshop, Lightroom, Lighting and Photography from people like Scott Kelby, Tim Grey, David Huss, etc., all in PDF format if anyone is intersted. I can send a link after I upload them, just PM me.

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Jonathan Consiglio
 
It's so nice to see an interest in photography here! I'm a professional photographer -

Good light, the right angle and a little knowledge is all you need.

Jonathan Consiglio

Welcome Jonathan, you captured in one sentence the whole purpose bethind why this thread was started.

It's not to turn folks into Pro-photographers, (or to take business away from you Pros). Or to turn anyone into a Graphic artist. But, instead to take away some of mystery and frustration of just taking a good photo of your knives.
 
Thanks, I'm glad to be here! That's exactly it PhilL, it takes a little trial and error and some reading or suggestions from someone who knows about it. I'm glad you started this thread!

It really a great feeling when you've been taking boring, lifeless images, then all of a sudden you're getting these killer shots with just a few tweaks, some window or bounced light from something white and the same camera you've been using (assuming it's at least ok). I always tell my clients, "Yeah it's nice using $5,000 cameras, but it's still me that creates the images....the camera just helps!"

I'm glad to see there was enough interest to make this a 7 page thread. I hope it keeps going with new photos. I'd really like to see people trying new things and posting it for comment. It's very rewarding getting great shots of knives and guns, etc., especially if it's yours!

Thanks for a great thread!

Jonathan Consiglio
 
Good light, the right angle and a little knowledge is all you need.
Jonathan Consiglio

Yeah, I learned early on that it's not the equipment that makes it great. Kinda like Lance Amstrong said: "It's not about the bike".

...though, I'd LOVE to have one of those D3's! And, add some Profoto, Hensel or Photogenic strobes, Larson or Pflume light modifiers...and an assistant...yeah!
 
It used to happen that the first question folks would ask when they were admiring some of my own photos, is: "What camera do you use?" As those of us here know, it's ALL about the lighting. I can take a smokin' shot with my shirtpocket Canon--with the proper lighting.

PhilL, one caveat: I bought a Wacom tablet. Not for me. For whatever reason, I have much more control sliding my mouse around. It's a great mouse pad, although expensive.... :)

Coop
 
^^^ How cool! An actual knife photographer!! I have two Wacoms in the drawer. I just can't get used to them. My 4-year-old like to use them for drawing though..

Tell me about it DoctaD! I just sold 2 Profoto ComPact 600's I had bought used a few years ago. I usually just use a few Nikon SB900's and 800's (or sometimes the Photoflex StarFlashes) with a 36" or smaller softbox or umbrella.

Speaking of Photoflex, here's another great lighting link for product photography, but if you go to the main menu, this is just a small part. There's tons of stuff on models, indoor/outdoor, etc.

http://www.photoflexlightingschool....asic_Lighting/Product___Still_Life/index.html

I had always been a Canon guy and I loved my 1Ds Mark II's. When it was time for a Mark III, the Nikon vendor booth at WPPI in Vegas last year lured me in with their D3. Now it's all I use. A pain replacing all the lenses though!

What a refreshing thread! I have yet to venture to the editing thread though! That's what I do a good 4 hours every day. I couldn't live without Lightroom and Photoshop CS4!

Looking forward to some more posts and images!

Jonathan Consiglio
 
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making a post for later reference..


...thanks for the tips PhilL:thumbup:
 
Things just got a bit easier for me but i still dont think i have the patience for taking great photos. Thank you for the links.
 
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