Watch Photography
Losing enthusiasm for your watch? Take up a camera and find ways to make it look good.
One of the last bastions preserving the sanctity of still-photography can be found within the watch community. Of course there is plenty of low quality short form content produced to promote the “hobby” but it seems that those with the most passion for these objects have a predilection for visual beauty and that means appreciating watches through the art of still photos.
Crafting an image takes time and it isn’t always as obvious that this process is as time consuming as it is.
Focus planes, color, motion, depth. It’s easy to get a lot of these things wrong in photos and personally, it goes wrong more often than right. I personally love some of the photos I have taken but I am hardly an expert. Regardless, perhaps I can share some things I have learned taking photos of watches.
At scale, I am not even thrilled with the bezel reflections here. It should emphasize the bezel convexity more than it does.
You can never clean a watch too many times. You might think the watch is clean but there it is, a large spec right on the crystal once you open the file. Glasses cleaner and a microfiber will help but you will still find stuff in the nooks and crannies.
Rule of thirds of course, as with any photos. I don’t always adhere to this as well as I could, there is a way to achieve extreme precision in this regard that makes a massive difference in the excitement the photo contains.
Photo stacking will always be better than trying to just pick a point. These days, as long as you take enough photos you can easily stack images. The biggest part is a still subject, consistent lighting, and patience.
The camera specs hardly matter. These photos were taken on a 13 year old camera. I have other gear, but the camera I keep on hand for macros is a 24mp Nikon and I have to say it is doing a great job. Getting some auxiliary lights and learning to position the reflections is most significant.
Start trying to find the artistic point! For example in trying to demonstrate the thinnest of the Saxonia thin, the midcase is well lit and there is a dark cloth out of focus above the watch that adds weight above the squashed-flat watch.
There is not much more to say except thank you for looking at my photos. The time it takes to explore a watch in this way is quite meditative and helps one appreciate the efforts of the designers, constructeurs, and finishers to a greater extent. If there is anything to this hobby, it is the appreciation of beauty in these small objects. I think that is worthwhile.