Learning curve, studio shot, pocket watch

[mknittle]

I originally tried a harder background but I felt that the engraved watch needed a soft background to set it off. Which is not to say that something a little harder might not have worked.

Hi Brian,
Maybe you could make a stand of some sort out of wire or a paper clip or even lean the watch against something to get it away from the background. That way you can use the shadow to your advantage.

[Manfred M]

Bryan - I probably would shoot something as intricate as your watch on a very simple background; probably plain white or grey. That would solve the issue of the localized colour that Terry referred to in his response.

While your second background is a lot more plain than the first (it almost works for me), it's still too busy. The green is just over the top from a busy standpoint; the textures and folds compete with the detailng on the watch. I suggest you keep on experimenting with the watch and work on the lighting to see which approach works best for you. Metals and glass can be a PITA to work with, but the detailing on it is going to help a lot. I would probably start with a nice diffuse light source; i.e. indirect light from a window.

It looks like you are having fun. It's always nice to improve one's photographic skill set.

[jcuknz]

My old eyes make me careless at times too ... my error, didn't notice the change in tone on the watch .... similar process but using an adjustment layer to stop the fill light working on the watch, only the bathtowel which despite its age still looks good
Sharpened what I had done and the green tint disappears to me