Photographing straight razors

**Badger & Bengall** · 07-19-2011, 05:14 AM

I'm restoring three Cadman Bengalls at the moment and I'm disappointed with the quality of my before and during photos. I've always relied on my camera to adjust and make my shots look good but I just can't seem to get the detail I need.

I'm sure most of the problem is lighting but I don't know where to begin.

**life2short1971** · 07-19-2011, 05:38 AM

I had bad pics too using my camera phone but I stepped up to a camera with a macro setting and a cheap homemade lightbox and all is great now. I actually bought a tripod since this pic but you get the idea.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...s-all-you-need

**MileMarker60** · 07-19-2011, 06:42 AM

The easy what is to have a decent camera. Doesn't have to be great.
Take your photos outside in the sun whenever possible. Next best is make a little light box and flood it with light.
Search online and you will find plenty of different and cheap light box options

**echotron** · 07-19-2011, 06:49 AM

My HP 215 digital with MACRO died about 6 months ago and I replaced it with a HP 318 but no MACRO. (I use these cameras for auction items.) I'm going to get another HP 215 ... need the MACRO setting.

Also, flash usually reflects back ... so I don't use flash; I do use a light box though.

Try not to get your image taking the picture on the blade ... move camera to position it so that eliminates that.

**Angry__Panda** · 07-19-2011, 08:12 AM

As a couple people said, MACRO, this is probably how a lot of people in the Shave of The Day thread get such high quality photos. I have a macro lens from an old Nikon SLR I have, but it doesn't have the mechanics to be automatic with my new Nikon (my new one is kept small because the auto-focus mechanics are built into the lens and not the camera), sucks focusing by hand lol (damn technology making me lazy) but the macro lens really is better for close shots like most of the pics you see around here.

I would also agree with the sun light or light box idea. You should be able to build a light box with the materials around the house (well unless you are a bachelor, I know when I was living alone I didn't have a stock of things like tissue paper [makes a good window to "flood" light into the box with]). Just search around the web for instructions on how to make one (instructibles is a good site, not sure if they have directions for this though).

**life2short1971** · 07-19-2011, 08:16 AM

I have a Samsung S850 and its great for Macro shots. Find a used one and it should be cheap. Refurbished even.

**Luc** · 07-19-2011, 02:06 PM

When I take those type of pictures I wait for a very sunny day. I use natural day light as the flash has a tendency to "mask" some details sometimes... Something shiny reflects the light of the flash, for some reason...

Some use a box they painted white or something for their background, they then add a few lights and take the pictures.

The macro setting is the only setting I use.

**Badger & Bengall** · 07-19-2011, 02:21 PM

I'll have to check whether my Panasonic has a macro setting, although it is 5 years old it cost me $1700 then so I'd hope it's up to the task.

Thanks for the advice everyone, I really appreciate it.

**Luc** · 07-19-2011, 04:41 PM

Forgot to add, check "The Darkroom" subforum, there's a sticky on how to take better pictures...

**Legion** · 07-19-2011, 05:33 PM

Have a look here for a start.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...-razor-picture.

**mdunn** · 07-19-2011, 06:34 PM

Macro does help, but you don't need it. I can take pretty good pics with my iPhone. Just a matter of getting the angles and focusing right.

**life2short1971** · 07-19-2011, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by mdunn

Macro does help, but you don't need it. I can take pretty good pics with my iPhone. Just a matter of getting the angles and focusing right.

As long as bright natural light available I get some pretty good pics with mine too but if a digital macro is available it really expands your opportunities.

**Gamma** · 07-19-2011, 07:01 PM

Mostly - it's knowing the limitations of the camera - and exploiting its assets. I use an SLR with a 40mm lens and on-camera flash most of the time for razor pix. Sometimes I miss my DOF because I'm in a rush though. I usually shoot safe so i don't blow out a highlight on a curved surface - just a matter of angles.
I don't shoot macro for the simple reason that macro with flash is problematic - the camera to subject distance is so short. For even lighting - a cocoon can help if you have a few lamps...you can make one out of vellum or some cloth and some wire hangers.
I really should put more effort into my pix.

**Blix** · 07-19-2011, 07:20 PM

Avoid on camera flash at all cost, and use natural light. If you have no choice but to use flash, bounce it off the roof or walls.

**Angry__Panda** · 07-19-2011, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by Blix

Avoid on camera flash at all cost, and use natural light. If you have no choice but to use flash, bounce it off the roof or walls.

You can get some super white heavy weight paper and make some good reflectors to do this...If you want to bounce it off the roof for example, bend some paper and fix it on your camera so it reflects the light up, then put your razor in a "box" with the top made out of that same paper and let the flash reflect off the top. But I agree with this.

Though as mdunn said, you can get yourself some decent pictures without needing any expensive equipment (even though our iPhones aren't necessarily cheap lol). Just take your time, build a light box as your first option before you buy new cameras or anything...See if that helps. Try different backgrounds as well. I always kind of thought of those cheesey photo places that are like located in Walmart's. If you look at some of the backgrounds they look nice, but all it is is some stuff stacked under some felt cloth that is then kind of ruffled to give it a texture. Not too difficult to replicate with a quick and cheap run to Michael's.

**life2short1971** · 07-19-2011, 07:52 PM

I generally don't add light or use a flash with my little cheapo box. The paper is so white it does an excellent job with the available light.

**johnmrson** · 07-19-2011, 10:49 PM

I'm pretty bad at it as well. I do use macro though. The new light bulbs we're now made to buy seem to give off a lot less light than the old style which makes things difficult.

**Legion** · 07-19-2011, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by johnmrson

I'm pretty bad at it as well. I do use macro though. The new light bulbs we're now made to buy seem to give off a lot less light than the old style which makes things difficult.

Yes, and you'll get colour casts and other problems from them. Better to wait for daytime and put your razors next to a window or outside. Not in direct sun though. Shade, or overcast days are best.

**Badger & Bengall** · 07-20-2011, 02:35 AM

Originally Posted by legion

Yes, and you'll get colour casts and other problems from them. Better to wait for daytime and put your razors next to a window or outside. Not in direct sun though. Shade, or overcast days are best.

Natural light... I may have to wait until October too see that here in Canberra!

I'll make myself a box this weekend and try again.