princesskandi
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posted on August 23, 2006 12:23:08 PM new
Ok, I dont have much hair left here and I really need some help from the experts in this forum!
I have a Rolex watch I want to sell and I am having a terrible time getting a good picture of it. It is gold with a dark blue dial and all my pictures look just too dark or if I get to close to get a good clear picture of it I get my camera reflection in the crystal! Of course when I use a flash, then its even worse. Yet when I look at other watches being sold on ebay, they have nice clear shots with no refections... how in the world is that done?? Can anyone tell me or point me in the direction where I read about and learn how to do this correctly? I cannot list a multi-thousand dollar watch with bad pictures!!
Thanks for any help you can give!
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ST0NEC0LD613
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posted on August 23, 2006 12:46:18 PM new
Try using a black background with tons of lighting behind you. I do that with gold coins and it seems to do the trick.
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glassgrl
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posted on August 23, 2006 01:00:47 PM new
Milk jug
http://reviews.ebay.com/Photographing-Jewelry-Flatware-Glassware-for-eBay_W0QQugidZ10000000000101776
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/essays/vanRiper/020809.htm
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princesskandi
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posted on August 23, 2006 01:15:20 PM new
Wow! Great! I've seen the expensive photo cube/tents and really didnt want to invest in that as I dont take that many pictures of items like this. The milk jug is a great idea... I'll have to give a try.
Thanks!
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ladyjewels2000
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posted on August 23, 2006 02:07:35 PM new
Someone posted instructions on how to build a tent out of pvc awhile back - I'll see if I can find it and post it later or someone else will.
Here's what I do with jewelry - it may work with watches as well.
I place the jewelry on a blank piece of paper - colored or white - take it outside in the full daylight but under a shade. Take the photo without a flash. Works great for me.
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princesskandi
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posted on August 23, 2006 02:28:17 PM new
ladyjewels2000,
how do you search the forums here? I would look for those tent directions if I could find out how to even search here! lol
thanks
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ladyjewels2000
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posted on August 23, 2006 02:38:37 PM new
Someone posted this link awhile back to search Vendio but I think I made a shortcut for the tent as I want to have my DH build me one. I can't seem to find it right now.
http://www.sneakydave.com/forums/downloads/oldac/awsearch.html
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rhpepsi
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posted on August 23, 2006 02:46:33 PM new
I can not resist...
How do I get good picture of wristwatch??....1st...TAKE IT OFF the wrist that you are holding the camera with....!!!
I am sorry...just had to say it!
Honestly...use the highest rsolution on your camera...take the photo back a little and then crop it...should bring up great detail..
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toasted36
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posted on August 23, 2006 03:49:53 PM new
It was me with the PVC light tent .Heres the link
http://tinyurl.com/zkwgt
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agitprop
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posted on August 23, 2006 04:27:09 PM new
Place the shiny object in a sunny location and use a reflector board (or white cardboard sheet) to bounce light into the shadows. Use a polarizing filter to cut down glare and reflections. Oh, and place your digital camera on a tripod or camera bracket to take the shot. You'll probably want to bracket the EV +-2 so you get good coverage unless your camera has a spot meter (and you know how to use it).
My setup for macro closeups:
Home of the best eBay auction fee & PayPal calculators: http://auctionfeecalculator.com
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princesskandi
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posted on August 23, 2006 05:54:55 PM new
Thanks so much for all the great tips! I'm getting my husband to rig up something I can use now.
Great directions on that site! Thanks so much for the URL.
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minniestuff
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posted on August 23, 2006 06:33:31 PM new
Wow that's alot of work!
The milk jug sounds great.
The picture thieves wonder why we get so mad when they steal our photos and we replace them with porn...
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roadsmith
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posted on August 23, 2006 06:47:16 PM new
Another idea is a white styrofoam tortilla warmer, lidded. (Got this idea somewhere here or there.) Cut a hole in the side just big enough for your camera lens. Shine lights at the thing (or take outside in direct sunlight) and shoot.
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hwahwa
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posted on August 23, 2006 08:12:57 PM new
use a goddamn scanner.
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minniestuff
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posted on August 24, 2006 12:02:49 AM new
The last time I tried to get a picture of jewelry by using a scanner, all of the metal parts reflected the light and the picture came out terrible. Do you have a trick for using a scanner hwahwa?
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pixiamom
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posted on August 24, 2006 02:18:42 AM new
Such great tips! Makes me wish I had a Rolex to photograph!
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bcpostcards
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posted on August 24, 2006 02:45:53 AM new
pixia, these techniques would work with a Timex just as well. 
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glassgrl
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posted on August 24, 2006 06:32:51 AM new
that was me Roadsmith
sadly the pictures that Juan took are all gone but you can see the original 3 page thread here:
http://www.diamondtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=17322&highlight=tortilla+warmer
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paloma91
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posted on August 24, 2006 08:19:26 AM new
Great threat! Lots of neat tips Thanks for sharing
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hwahwa
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posted on August 24, 2006 09:54:26 AM new
are you using a flatbed scanner?
did you throw a piece of dark cloth over it,or did you close the cover?
Most watch sellers use scanner instead of camera,but then the scanner will pick up all the flaws.
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dacreson
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posted on August 24, 2006 10:58:29 AM new
Hello,
When I was selling I used to sell many "thicker" items with a flat bed scanner and a NICE colored towel. I liked purple but other colors work as well. I just laid item down, on scanner bed glass (make sure glass is clear)and covered with towel and scanned. The result was a picture with a rich feel to it.
Good selling
David
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agitprop
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posted on August 24, 2006 03:57:33 PM new
princesskandi,
If you want to determine the year and serial number of the Rolex (and don't have the original warranty card), you'll need to ask a friendly watchmaker or jeweller to open up the back cover. All the manufacturing codes are stamped on the mechanism, and often the service dates (if it's an oldie like some watches of mine). It'll also help determine if you have a genuine Rolex or a nice 'fake'.
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princesskandi
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posted on August 25, 2006 10:40:34 AM new
Well I think I have finally got some good pictures. Ended up going with the milk jug, alot less work than building my own tent! lol
agitprop, thanks for the tip! We lost the original papers from when we bought it, all we have is a really bad copy of a receipt that is hard to read. I was thinking that it would be good to have the serial number wouldnt it? Just to prove it is in fact genuine? At least it better be! lol We bought it in new york about 10 years ago from what we believed to be a reputable jeweler.
Thanks again everyone for all the great tips!
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birgittaw
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posted on August 25, 2006 10:57:58 AM new
Can I just interject a note of caution here? Seems to me that a Rolex takes a special tool to open properly (and to close properly) which not every jewelry store may have. Am I misremembering this? You may want to check over on the eBay watch discussion board about this before someone butchers it trying to pop it off.
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agitprop
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posted on August 25, 2006 03:30:42 PM new
birgittaw wrote: Seems to me that a Rolex takes a special tool to open properly (and to close properly) which not every jewelry store may have.
Correct, which is why I suggested she try a friendly watchmaker or jeweller which usually will have the correct tool. Most Swiss chronos need special tools to open and it's also a good time to replace the seal especially with diving models.
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glassgrl
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posted on August 25, 2006 04:05:33 PM new
well inquiring minds want to SEE your best picture of course! 
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minniestuff
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posted on August 25, 2006 05:04:33 PM new
Thanks for the scanner info hwahwa and David-I learn something new here everyday!
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