Experimenting With Different Backgrounds For Watch Photography

Most of the watch product photography I do is on a white background. White just makes things a lot easier, from several different perspectives. But it does get boring at times. So I’m constantly experimenting with new and different backgrounds.

This weekend I did some shooting with my Rolex GMT Master II, and did some experimenting both with physical backgrounds, and digital background manipulation in Photoshop.  As is often the case when I experiment, most of what I produce gets tossed, but here’s a few that came out pretty well (just click on the photos to see them larger):

The experimenting really help, and I came away with a lot of techniques I’ll be able to use in the future.  Every professional photographer should take one day out of the month for a “portfolio development” day, and do this type of experimenting.

What do you think of the shots?

1. 

   Tommy says:

   June 9, 2011 at 4:48 pm

   I’m not a fan of the red background. The SS surface shot is Rolex catalog-worthy, IMHO. Wonderful picture. The red/blue lights shot is a fun shot, nice play on the bezel.
2. 

   JBHII says:

   June 10, 2011 at 3:35 pm

   Thanks Tommy!