Lighting

Apparently, watches are some of the most difficult things to photograph. Obviously with the notable exception of rare animals (people who like the new Rolex jigsaw Day-Date) and dark rooms.

However, there is one key aspect that we just can’t overlook. My first months of watch photography were spent looking for the sun. I needed light, and lots of light! Man, I brought my Tudor and ran outside the second the sun peaked through the clouds (not often, I live in Norway.) Still, all my photos were absolute crap. The watch looked dirty no matter how much I polished it. I couldn’t see the dial because of reflections, and I got increasingly angry.

Should I just give up this whole photography thing?

Then one day, the sun was hiding peacefully behind some light clouds. I was pissed off because I had gone outside just to take photos. To my surprise, the photos looked better than ever before.

What?

Everyone told me that light was the key to good photos. No one told me that too much light was the key to bad photos.

This is why I love a good, cloudy day, although there is no chance of meatball (get the referance?)

This is also why you definately need softbox lighting for you indoor watch photos. Ring light? No. Streaming light? No. Get yourself two softboxes, and a nice, cloudy day. Your photos will thank you for it.