Really like taking watch photos in macro mode, especially of the dial and movement. Just got a hint from another WIS that you can make a $0.05 light box with 5 pieces of white printer papers. Basically, you make a rectangular box by taping 5 pieces of letter-size (or A4) printer papers and leave one end open (short end). Use transparent tape to carefully tape all edges, so no unwanted background can be seen when taking photos.
After the box is constructed. I place a light source on each side of the box (I use 27W daylight 5500K CFL bulbs). And one bright white florescent desk lamp pointing on top of the box. Put the watch in the box, camera on tripod and set it to use Auto White Balance and shoot in Aperture Priority (or set to Macro Mode).
I'm really fascinated by looking at an automatic watch's movement. There's a lot the naked eye cannot perceive without the help of a loupe or, in this case, taking a close-up (macro) picture of the movement. When looking at this "bigger picture", one can really appreciate the levels of polishing or refinement that go into automatic movements from different makers.
SARB035
Seiko 6R15B Movement
Orient CFM00002B
Update:
A Quick Cell Phone Pic of The Setup
This picture almost shows the entire setup, sans the tripod and additional desk lamp as the light source for the top of the box. For the left and right sides, I use 8" clamp-style reflectors to hold the 27W CF daylight light bulbs (you can substitute with desk lamps); the reflectors are clamped onto desk lamps. You can ignore the white bucket in the background; I've tried the white bucket method but it filtered out too much light (pictures too dark) for my already bulimic (eco-friendly?) light sources.
If that's too much work, you can also try using normal desk lamp(s) with this light box and set your camera's White Balance to Auto and see how the pictures look.
Parts List:
(1) DIY Light Box
(1) Tripod
(2) 5500K Daylight CF Light Bulbs (set camera white balance to Auto or Daylight)
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053
(2) Clamp Lights (8.5" reflectors for the daylight light bulbs)
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053
After the box is constructed. I place a light source on each side of the box (I use 27W daylight 5500K CFL bulbs). And one bright white florescent desk lamp pointing on top of the box. Put the watch in the box, camera on tripod and set it to use Auto White Balance and shoot in Aperture Priority (or set to Macro Mode).
I'm really fascinated by looking at an automatic watch's movement. There's a lot the naked eye cannot perceive without the help of a loupe or, in this case, taking a close-up (macro) picture of the movement. When looking at this "bigger picture", one can really appreciate the levels of polishing or refinement that go into automatic movements from different makers.
SARB035
Seiko 6R15B Movement
Orient CFM00002B
Update:
A Quick Cell Phone Pic of The Setup

This picture almost shows the entire setup, sans the tripod and additional desk lamp as the light source for the top of the box. For the left and right sides, I use 8" clamp-style reflectors to hold the 27W CF daylight light bulbs (you can substitute with desk lamps); the reflectors are clamped onto desk lamps. You can ignore the white bucket in the background; I've tried the white bucket method but it filtered out too much light (pictures too dark) for my already bulimic (eco-friendly?) light sources.
If that's too much work, you can also try using normal desk lamp(s) with this light box and set your camera's White Balance to Auto and see how the pictures look.
Parts List:
(1) DIY Light Box
(1) Tripod
(2) 5500K Daylight CF Light Bulbs (set camera white balance to Auto or Daylight)
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053
(2) Clamp Lights (8.5" reflectors for the daylight light bulbs)
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053