While you are admiring these knives, I want to tell you a little about my thought process behind shooting them. By every measure it is a HUSTLE to take in work, shoot it, and get it back to the client's table so it remains sellable and visible in person...
So many great makers visit, and I NEED to give their work undivided attention, as well as give each knife their own 'personality'. To do so is to mix up the layouts regularly, as well as distinguish the knives through the backgrounds.
Not every background is perfectly suited to each knife, so I try to make best guess selections. This said, I ALSO try not to have too many duplicates.
It would be imminently easy to shoot each layout in one format (Pointing down to the left, insets positioned the same, etc.) and with a tan background (Works on most everything.) Buddy Thomason and I call that swimming in a 'Sea of Tan'. LOL!
However, I am aware that that common format is a 'proven winner' and the maker may NOT be looking for MY new variety, but wants their knife to look like past
winners. At least this is what I tell myself when I stick with the common layout.
Anyway, even though I am pressing for time, I really make sure I TRY to mix it up. And, this is why the work is so hard for me: Every change in layout requires another trip behind the light tent to tweak the lighting to suit. I do NOT let the lights sit overhead in one 'somewhat clear' basking glow. There is drama in highlights to show shapes and textures, and I try to find that perfect position. Moving the strobe 6" one way or another makes a difference, and takes time. I do this ALL the time.
Pointing down or pointing up? LH/RH? Topside? What else does the viewer need to see? I avoid at all costs showing the same side of the knife again and again.
Study the knife and study the images, too. They don't just happen. My images are influential, as were the work of those who preceded me. We learn by studying. I TRY to separate my style from the other's who work in this field. I also give praise to other photographers when warranted. I'm not threatened this will diminish my stature at all.
Buddy Thomason, Eric Eggly, Terrill Hoffman, Cory Martin, Caleb Royer, Mitch Cohen, Francesco Pachi, Chuck Ward & Co., Logan Pearce, Dirk Loots have all produced great work. I have said so openly at times. However I can count only four of them to EVER mention in a post or thread a compliment toward my work (or another's). This is too bad. Imagine if knife makers held their cards so tightly. Sigh....
Back to the visuals!!!!
