The Art Of The Watch Photo

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The Art Of The Watch Photo - Editorial
4 minutes read
Our tips for the perfect composition…

If you like watches, you probably like looking at pictures of them. If you like looking at pictures of watches, you’d probably like to be able to take some watch pictures of your own. These seem like reasonable conclusions to draw — I hope I’m not saying anything too crazy here.

The thing is, watches are not the easiest things in the world to photograph. My entire career, I’ve worked with some of the best watch photographers in the business. You may think, what’s the big deal? Just point and shoot; how hard can it be? I’m here to tell you it takes much more than a fancy camera and some photography classes to get to where these photographers are.

However, just because you’re not a professional with a dehumidifying cabinet full of Leica lenses doesn’t mean you can’t take some absolutely stunning photos. Just check out the Watch Photo Awards to get an idea of how amateurs can express their passion for horology in a range of beautiful ways. And here are our tips to get you started — as they say in Hollywood, “Lights, camera, action!”

Lights

Watches are reflective things. Even the sportier categories that favour matte finishes and dark materials have sapphire-crystal dial glasses. Often I find that when photographing sapphire crystal, even with an anti-reflective coating, it tends to give me an excellent view of everything around, except the dial itself. There might as well be a mirror on the front of the watch instead of a transparent crystal.

At watch fairs (when we used to have watch fairs), it wasn’t unusual to encounter watch journalists contorting themselves into positions that would earn them an immediate spot in the Cirque du Soleil, all in order to find the right wristshot angle that minimises reflections while still resulting in good photographic composition. Bonus points for spotting brand PR reps behind them, futilely holding up sheets of A4 paper as makeshift light diffusers.

In general, try to shoot in natural light. Spotlights, like those you see in most watch boutiques, are the nemeses of a good watch photo. Give your watch a wipe before you shoot; there’s nothing worse than taking what you thought was the perfect shot and then seeing your greasy fingerprints on the polished steel bezel. Move around until you find the right position that eliminates as much reflection and glare as possible. Tilt your wrist, yes, but don’t forget you can move your camera and your body too. (Sounds basic, but you’d be surprised how many people forget this.)

Camera

Repeat after me: My smartphone camera is good enough. My smartphone camera is good enough. My smartphone camera is good enough. Professional photographers will tell you that the best camera is the one you have on you, and it’s good advice. Use the camera that you find easiest to carry around (probably your phone), because it’s also the camera that you’ll be the most comfortable with. And guess what, you’ll shoot your best photos with the equipment you know best. The only work you need to put in is in understanding the limits of your camera. If your camera can’t handle low light, for example, or fast-moving objects, don’t try and force a shot. Know your camera and you’ll love your photos.

But what about macro shots, so beloved of hardcore watch aficionados who simply have to capture every detail on their hand-finished watch movements? Smartphone cameras just can’t manage that kind of magnification, can they? Actually, even with your average smartphone, you can get some great close-up shots of watches, just by adding on a few compact gadgets such as the LoupeSystem, developed by watch lover Alberto Schileo precisely for this purpose.

Action!

Lastly, getting a good photo (a technically strong capture, in terms of focus and exposure and all that) is not the same thing as getting a good picture (which is about telling a story). Photography, as much as writing, is about communication. What are you trying to say with your photo? How do you want people to feel when they look at it? Accordingly, try to support your watch with visually pleasing backgrounds. Some lovely flowers, yes please. Dinner table food remnants, no thanks.

In the film industry, they say you should avoid working with children and animals, because it can be nearly impossible to control their output without resorting to bribery or abuse. At least for watch photography, though, it seems that this rule doesn’t apply. According to my empirical observations, a watch shot with a cute puppy is about a thousand times more appealing than one without. I’m not saying you should kidnap your neighbour’s Labrador in your quest to become Instagram’s next watch photography superstar, but keep in mind the potential benefits of involving your animal friends in your next watch photo. And by the way, if you decide to enter this month’s Watch Photo Awards (coincidentally themed around watches and animals), one of those potential benefits could be a stay in a luxury Swiss resort.