Photographing Straight Razors

Discussion in 'Straight Razors' started by Rusty blade, Nov 16, 2017.

  1. Rusty blade

    Rusty blade The Good Humor Man

    More often than not it seems I am apologizing for my poor photography skills when I post a photo of one of my straight razor restoration projects. I rely on a window ledge and hope for good lighting. Even then it seems the shadow or glare on the curve of the blade obscures the lovely etching I tried so hard to preserve or it just did not show show off the blade in a good way. I have an iPhone, so I have nothing fancy in terms of equipment. What are your (inexpensive) tips and tricks for photographing your straight razors?
     
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  2. Keithmax

    Keithmax Breeds Pet Rocks

    I’m curious to hear the replies too.
     
  3. Spyder

    Spyder Well-Known Member

    I’m admittedly do not have a photographers eye. But I have a homemade light box and an iPhone. I generally fix the white balance , reduced the size and am good to go.
    Example:
    767720AA-FC48-47DE-B487-E41582B8B8D0.jpeg
     
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  4. Rusty blade

    Rusty blade The Good Humor Man

    Can you post a pic of your DIY light box?
     
  5. Spyder

    Spyder Well-Known Member

  6. GarnerPW

    GarnerPW Well-Known Member

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  7. Jayaruh

    Jayaruh The Cackalacky House Pet

    Supporting Vendor
    You guys inspired me. So, today, I did this. It didn't take long either.
    IMG_5759.JPG
    IMG_5760.JPG

    Here are some other pictures I took with it.
    IMG_5752.JPG IMG_5754.JPG IMG_5756.JPG IMG_5760.JPG
     
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  8. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

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  9. Billyfergie

    Billyfergie The Scottish Ninja

    [​IMG]
    No Tricks..Lighting & Exposure Skills is All that's Required..:D

    Billy..:chores016:
     
  10. Jayaruh

    Jayaruh The Cackalacky House Pet

    Supporting Vendor
    Thank you.
     
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  11. Rusty blade

    Rusty blade The Good Humor Man

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  12. Rusty blade

    Rusty blade The Good Humor Man

    The great ones always make it look easy. Well done!
     
  13. mrchick

    mrchick Odd, Terrible Avatar

    I have pretty good luck just taking the pics on my bathroom counter with my iPhone. I have a light box but don’t use it.
    [​IMG]
     
  14. Rusty blade

    Rusty blade The Good Humor Man

    You have a good eye for composition. And you must have very good lighting in you bathroom!
     
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  15. mrchick

    mrchick Odd, Terrible Avatar

    Thank you. I have 5000 K lights in my bathroom. Makes for great pictures!
     
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  16. Preacher

    Preacher Well-Known Member

    I tend to set up a studio light with a softbox for taking pics of objects. If I have enough light in the room, I will attach a light diffuser to my flash.
     
  17. MR&S

    MR&S Active Member

    ;)

    These are hand-made razors. The creator of these is Dariusz Koltowski. Very good delicate blades.

    [​IMG][​IMG]

    Wysłane z mojego SM-G950F przy użyciu Tapatalka
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2018
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  18. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers


    Ok, you cant just post a photo of that, without telling us about it. It does look very nice.
     
  19. Pete123

    Pete123 Well-Known Member

    I was going to suggest a light box, though that has been covered thoroughly. The next step up would be a lighting kit. I have this one from Amazon:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078K81JZ1/?tag=thshde-20

    Having the right kind of light bulb are important as well. They should be 5500K, which is a very white light. This may be more trouble than you want to go to for showing off restorations, though I thought I would share. Here are some pics I've taken:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  20. Wakarisu

    Wakarisu New Member

    It seems to me that photography and the impression of photography depend largely on the talent of the photographer. Now photo equipment has become available to a wide range of people, and therefore there are a lot of low-quality photos. Orlando photographer, who did a photoshoot for my family, made each photo-realistic where each family member was shown not just as an image but also as a character. Such talent is not given to anyone, and only being able to take pictures is exactly how you can call yourself a photographer.
     
    Last edited: May 11, 2022

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