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Omega DeVille Automatic Chronometer
Omega DeVille Automatic Chronometer
fplouffe


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Jewelry Advertisement (Advanced Editing IV*)
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Location: Home
Date: Apr 24, 2005
Aperture: f/11
ISO: 200
Shutter: 3.0s
Galleries: Still Life
Date Uploaded: Apr 24, 2005

 This is a simple shot of my watch reflecting on the piano black lacker.
This challenge was very instructive to me. I learned that it is very hard to take a good photograph of something like this watch without proper equipment. I had no dedicated ligthing equipement; no soft box, no flash, no reflector.
I use a construction lamp bounced on the ceiling to get diffuse ligth. But it was not very strong. Also, the glass on this watch is gently curved, so it picked up reflexion of everything in the room. I had to use a white cardboard to block those reflexion and to direct more light on the watche face, which was the hardest to light without blowing out the rest.
I worked for hours to find the good angle to limit the quantity of reflections on the glass, to have good lighting and not to see the camera reflecting in the glass.
That's the best shot I manage to get with my limited skills and equipment.
I would have like the shot best if were able have the black on the watch dial uniform. Since I don't have a grand piano at home, what is happening is the edge of the piano showing on the lower half portion of the watch, and the white cardborad showing on the upper half.

Statistics
Place: 15 out of 159
Avg (all users): 6.5638
Avg (commenters): 7.7273
Avg (participants): 6.5600
Avg (non-participants): 6.5664
Views since voting: 23767
Views during voting: 422
Votes: 243
Comments: 50
Favorites: 2 (view)

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AuthorThread
 05/07/2005 12:38:01 PM
Hi, Greetings from the Critique Club. Your critique is available for viewing. Thank you. Zag.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/07/2005 12:17:23 AM
Thank you for entering the DPChallenge, Jewelry Advertisment.

Wow, what a pleasure to critique this photo. Very well done. I have done many critiques so far and this one is a breath of fresh air. As soon as I saw it, I can tell that a lot of work went into this submission.

Yes one of the hardest photos to do is the jewelry display photography. The glare, lights, often take away valuable details from the jewelry that is being marketed and sold in the print media.

First of all looking at your notes I can see that you thought this well through. You knew your objective, even if it was intimating. You did not have all of the "pro light gear" but you forge through. Your determination paid off.

Technically its a beautiful image of a Omega wristwatch. Photographing a black and silver watch with a black face is a challenge. The reflection came out very well. The back light is well placed. The focus is spot on. I can see that this was an arduous attempt. Looks like f/11 at three seconds was the key setting. Also if you were not so honest about your shot, most people would not even notice the gray area's.

Some tips anyway. Most clocks when advertised show or read the time; 10:10, or 8:30. This shows area's of the watch better. This is especially true when you have a second hand, and a date calendar feature. Although your time displayed comes close. The other factor is the unfortunate angle of the image. Its almost leaning to the right too hard. It feels slightly precarious on the edge of the piano. It also forces the viewer to lean and refocus to enjoy the photo. Another suggestion that many members did, was to use type to promote their photo. Sometimes this helps or hinders the image, depending on the typeface that you use.

The yellow streak on the right hand side and some of the back white light is distracting but not enough to detract from a super job.

Great success, and good luck in your next DPChallenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2005 03:00:07 PM
A great effort and one that should have finished much higher. Congratulations on your 15th finish.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
05/01/2005 11:37:52 PM
Fantastic with reflection. 9.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/01/2005 11:32:33 PM
As an old Omega owner I really like this ad. Very elegant.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/01/2005 05:27:37 PM
I like the use of the reflection of this watch..it enhances the shot, as does the angle of the photo add interest.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/01/2005 12:00:47 PM
Nice Lighting. I'M not very keen on the white board reflection we see on half the face of the watch tho. Sharpness is good, composition seems off a bit tho, i get a feeling of waste space on the left. The yellow line on the far right is buggy as well. Some text couldl've helped this. 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/30/2005 06:00:50 PM
The angle is confusing to me - not that that is a bad thing for this challenge - Very crisp - seems a little cut off at the top - the yellow to the right of the watch is distracting... 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/30/2005 08:05:46 AM
great reflection
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/30/2005 02:46:53 AM
Beautiful, and very well done 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/29/2005 08:52:23 PM
Beautiful, flawless shot. Nice use of the glossy base and reflection. I notice you made sure the hands were in the 2:00/10:00 beauty positions :D I'm not sure how intentional the light/dark background reflection was in the face of the watch, but I think it does help give a nice clean look to the finish of the crystal. Great work. (9)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/29/2005 07:51:29 PM
This is excelent! Very nice reflection and very sharp
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/29/2005 04:02:02 PM
lovely reflection. I tried going for the flat surface reflections in my entry and got slammed because I didn't pull it off like you have managed. Great job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/29/2005 04:00:24 PM
Love the reflection and the crisp look to this ad.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/29/2005 03:02:23 PM
Wish that there was a bit more space on the top of this picture. Really good use of the reflection. The background could have been a little bit lighter in color to help bring out the dark watch band.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/29/2005 01:49:06 PM
Professional Looking
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/29/2005 01:31:26 PM
Great shot...the reflections are very well done. The only thing I can complain about is the very tight crop at the top of the shot..seems just a bit too close for comfort, but, hey, that's just me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/29/2005 07:24:30 AM
again another nice shot. Now this is one where the low key works. I love the clarity on the watch. ISO 100? I just learned about low key shots. This one really works. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/29/2005 06:52:11 AM
nice clean well presented image - feels like it need just a little more in the top of the image - well done. should do well
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/29/2005 12:28:41 AM
So beautiful and classy, clean. I would move the watch over to the right a little so the band isnt so close to the edge up top. Like that touch of orange in the back... Otherwise, PERFECT!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/28/2005 09:19:16 PM
Challenge: 7
Technical: 6
Interest: 6
Overall: 6

I'm not overly fond of the placement of the watch in this shot. Being a Libra, I like balance and this just seems off kilter to me. Tilting a bit more to the right and aligning the watch better with the corner may make this better. Otherwise, it is a good, clean, crisp image and a nice entry. Good Luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/28/2005 06:44:28 PM
I dont know what the light blue/grey thing in the reflection behind the ring is but i dont like it. Nice shot of the watch though. Good lighting, composition, and message.

7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/28/2005 04:18:05 PM
great shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/28/2005 03:21:25 PM
very, very well done. could ribbon? 10 great framing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/28/2005 02:25:10 PM
Slick and professional finish..well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2005 08:50:50 PM
I like this. The lighting is nice and the reflection interesting. My only gripe would be the yellow line on the right...it's distracting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2005 01:24:39 PM
i can really see this as an ad. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2005 01:05:09 PM
unusual placement, but overall it works. except for the bottom left corner.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2005 08:58:48 AM
very professional looking
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/26/2005 05:33:03 PM
Nice shot, good DOF.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/26/2005 01:22:22 PM
Very nice. ten to two time position and everything! Good work
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/26/2005 12:53:49 PM
I really like this one. I love the reflection. It looks really professional.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/26/2005 02:48:05 AM
nice photo-nice watch.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2005 11:55:23 PM
Nice timepiece. Band detail is sort of obscured by the background (black on black). There's a bit of reflection cutting across the lower half of the face, but otherwise nicely lit.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2005 08:08:43 PM
Nice watch. I like the way you used the reflection in this image. What are the parallel lines? Table edge? This makes it obvious of the image rotation. Otherwise the lighting is good, nice DOF. Good luck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2005 07:50:12 PM
OK, there should a law against being able to shoot without nasty reflections.
Nicely done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2005 05:10:00 PM
9 Beautiful shot, love the light, shine of the black..very good work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2005 03:35:06 PM
nice lighting and reflections. I like the composition as well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2005 03:17:13 PM
My favorite watch. Like the reflections idea, and the BG color.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2005 02:21:05 PM
Very well done shot. Love the details and color. The only thing that slightly bothers me is the reflection on the face of the watch. Reflection of the actual watch is looks great.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2005 01:00:59 PM
Sophistacated look to this image. the reflection is nice. The black is very sleek and makes a nice statement. good job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2005 12:37:21 PM
Excellent photo and layout. I would have taken out the lines in the lower left.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2005 12:13:22 PM
nice reflections
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2005 12:11:27 PM
An image with great impact because of the lighting along with the reflection. Focus is a bit wanting as the 12 o'clock bars are almost blending and the Omega is not razor sharp. Outside of this minor detail the image remains the most impressive yet. Bumping up.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2005 10:54:27 AM
Very high quality photograph. Very clean and crisp. The only 10 I will give.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2005 10:31:41 AM
I can picture this is a magazine already! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2005 04:11:09 AM
Would have been a top image if the area around the winder was in sharp focus 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2005 02:09:35 AM
Love the reflection and angle of this shot. Nice lighting and detail! Very well executed. Like the fact that there is no distracting fonts and words. One of the best.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2005 12:57:26 AM
yellow streak on right of band?...nice reflection.. :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2005 12:33:19 AM
Gorgeous reflection. The best use of reflection I've seen so far for this challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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