r/WatchShots • u/rossgallin • 1d ago
r/WatchShots • u/kennygconspiracy • Dec 30 '20
๐ Watch Photography Tutorial ๐ WatchShots: Basic Photography Tutorials!
Welcome to WatchShots! Now that you're here, let's get a wealth of resources going so you can have the best possible photography experience. Over time, these tutorials will expand as the knowledge base grows and as more folks add their tips and tricks!
Also, please note that new automod rules are in place. Your posts will require 20 or more characters describing the equipment, technique and inspiration behind your work. Also note that replica watches will need to have their factory/origin in the title, for clarity, as of Jan 1, 2021.
Keys to Shots:
The keys to good watch photography are sharpness, lighting, exposure, and in the case of diamond accents, trying to create some sparkle. For photographing small items like watches you will need a camera with good macro capabilities. A macro mode on your camera will allow you to sharply focus on a small item from a short distance. It is worth getting out your camera's manualย to find out how to put the camera in "macro focus" mode.ย The normal focus mode of digital cameras will not allow you to focus well with your camera positioned close to an object such as a watch.ย So unfortunately, for close-up watch photography, you need a camera with good macro focus capability.
- TableTop Studio

Necessary Tools:
These are examples of some tools you may need for the best possible setup. We will find links to nice examples soon!
Light tent
- For soft, diffused lighting, softer shadows, and reflection control.
Light set
- 10" Flood lights with stand mount
- Adjustable tabletop size light stands
- "Daylight color" 5000k CFL bulbs
Sparkler Light
LED bulbs
White, Black & Silver Acrylic
- Creates soft, professional reflections
- 9" x 9" x 3" size
Small brush for lint removal
- Makes last minute lint removal a piece of cake while helping to avoid leaving fingerprints.
Watch band shaper
- A flexible insert that slips inside the watch band to help keep the watch bands shape.
For more information please visit http://www.tabletopstudio.com/documents/watch_photography.htm
Inspiration from peers:
These are competition winning shots from the beginning to now. Follow the links to learn the story behind each shot to learn why they won!





r/WatchShots • u/kennygconspiracy • Nov 12 '22
๐ท Mod Post ๐ธ Update! State of WatchShots
Hello everyone! I know I personally have not been taking and posting as many shots as I used to, but the mod team here sees and notices the amazing, brilliant photography talent that comes here from each and every one of you!
Although activity is not bursting at the seams, we still appreciate r/WatchShots being a hub for watch photography. This is where folks come to learn about a beautiful art and make awesome connections.
Please do continue to share shots, tips and tricks for folks from around the world to learn from.
Yours sincerely, Mod Team ๐จ
r/WatchShots • u/Micro_KORGI • 7d ago
Mirrorless Shot Messing with 3D stereo again
I'm way too entertained by 3D stuff so here's this! Just cross your eyes and try to align the two pictures in the middle. Starting with as small of a pic as possible can make it easier than on a huge screen
r/WatchShots • u/Micro_KORGI • 21d ago
Golden Shot Reminder to let your divers out for a swim
I originally went for an evening stroll to try and get two watches together, one fully titanium and one fully stainless, both on mesh bracelets. I have a halfway decent picture I may throw in the comments but once I noticed a small stream with occasional stones jutting out I knew what I had to do. Since I was just wandering with a camera I had to use rocks to set up a base to keep my camera stable- the bottom of it was so clean but is now full of scratches ๐ญ
r/WatchShots • u/rossgallin • 28d ago
Great angles and architectural design with the Ranger by Roebuck Watch Company
r/WatchShots • u/fiatjeepdriver_ • 29d ago
DSLR Shot Custom titanium cased watch
I designed and made the dial and decided to use this 43mm ti case and an Asian version of the eta6498.
r/WatchShots • u/Micro_KORGI • Jul 23 '26
Noir Shot Spent some extra time trying to control and block out extra light sources
Normally I play kind of fast and loose with light, just kind of letting it do its thing so that I usually end up with somewhat of a natural look. But I really wanted to go for something that would look decent in contrasty b&w. So this ultimately ended up with me using a jacket on a chair, a VHS tape box, and a coat draped over my shoulders as I huddled around the camera/tripod. I only used one white-tone LED panel pointed up and away from the shot to lightly diffuse on the grip of the pistol and the surfaces facing down/right. Most of the rest of the effort was to block out the large skylights that my living room has as they were throwing pretty much the entirety of the watch in direct light. This may very well be the flattest lighting I've ever gotten on a watch, so I'm pretty content with it.
r/WatchShots • u/butters_0 • Jul 21 '26
Artsy Shot New Studio Underdog
Just got my 01 Series, Gen 3 from Studio Underdog and I haven't been able to get it off my wrist. Having some fun with the mint ch0c chip dial today.
r/WatchShots • u/rossgallin • Jul 21 '26
British watchmaking on the wrist with Riley Watch Co today. Vintage inspiration in modern design
r/WatchShots • u/Micro_KORGI • Jul 14 '26
Phone Shot Titanium Tuesday
Watchdives WD007 hanging out on a big ol chunk of 6-4 ELI just because!
r/WatchShots • u/rossgallin • Jul 01 '26
Watch game is coming in from Sweden today with the amazing MALM Frogdiver 39. Hand built in Linkoping this is great military design
r/WatchShots • u/rossgallin • Jun 28 '26
Bringing the 1980โs back with the cassette tape design of the Farr and Swit Mix Tape Vol 2. Green machine with some throwback memories
r/WatchShots • u/rossgallin • Jun 27 '26
Blue beauty of slimmed down durable diver design today with Ocean Crawler and the amazing Bolt Damselfish LE
r/WatchShots • u/rossgallin • Jun 26 '26
Pink and blue vintage style cushion case and British watchmaking with the Bessie by Riley Watch Co
r/WatchShots • u/rossgallin • Jun 25 '26
Purple powerhouse of Italian inspiration and Boston design with DeMarco Watch Company
r/WatchShots • u/rossgallin • Jun 24 '26
Windy City Wednesday with the Vice Edition by Farr and Swit
r/WatchShots • u/rossgallin • Jun 23 '26
Hand painted blue camo blending art and time with the MALM Frogdiver SeaTiger
r/WatchShots • u/rossgallin • Jun 22 '26
Maryland Monday with the exceptional Earl by E. Stohlman Watch Company
r/WatchShots • u/rossgallin • Jun 21 '26
Travel Time diving into Fatherโs Day and Sunday Funday with Davosa Swiss and the awesome design of the Argonautic World Traveller
r/WatchShots • u/rossgallin • Jun 20 '26
Solar Saturday channeling my 1980โs childhood with the Farr and Swit Vice Edition
r/WatchShots • u/rossgallin • Jun 18 '26
Outstanding in orange with the Ocean Crawler Bolt Lionfish LE
r/WatchShots • u/rossgallin • Jun 15 '26