Multi Pen Photos

[Todd in PA]

I was hoping the IAP community might share some multi pen photos that they're proud of.

In submitting applications to juried shows, you must provide product and booth photos. It strikes me that using photos that show multiple pens would be a better way to show the expanse of my work, rather than, say, 3 individual pens. But am I never as happy with my photos showing multiple pens. They are either too linear, or the composition feels cluttered. My multi-pen photos never seem as elegant as the ones of individual pens. Here are some I've rejected for use in applications.

The eye lands on the natural imperfection of the wood on the yellow pen. Plus I didn't take the pricetags off.

Feels cluttered and out of focus.

I don't like the pattern of the circle.

This isn't terrible. Still, I went with a singular photo of one of the pens and the in-house poured resin as a way of showing my craft.


For reference, comment, and criticism, and here are the photos I have been submitting this year. All of these were pens made in 2024, and none of them are the same as previously submitted last year. One does include multiple pens and was taken on my workbench with some pens in progress in the background. Compositionally, this one is the best I've come up with to show multiple pens, pens in progress, and the element that these are handmade items.

 

[jttheclockman]

Not sure what you want but have to say your photos are always very well taken. You show your finishes very well. If you show people how to photos they are not going to understand what they are looking at. Send them photos of your booth and that should be fine. Anyone of the other photos showing multiple pens should be fine also. I wish I could take photos like that.

I will say this though, when taking photos for the forum, showing the entire pen in both open and closed form counts more than showing close ups of nibs and one section of a pen unless you are showing for proof of something. members here want to see a finished pen. This gives us more perspective as to how the kit looks or how your kitless pen looks. Everyone of those photos are what I call Artsy photos made for a magazine or things like that. Even shows would not care about that unless they want to use them for advertising their show.

Just an aside question, what is your finish you are using? You really have it down to a science. Your photos does it justice too.

 

[wolf creek knives]

My only criticism on your photo's, some are posed on wood rounds. As I've mentioned here in the past, I'm color blind and when you put a wood pen on a wood background it's very hard for me to see them. I can tell colors but when you put wood, or like colors, together, my brain tells me that they are the same color and they blend together. One Doctor told me I was "color dumb" if that's even a medical term.

 

[Hippie3180]

I'm really drawn to the very first "group" shot. The yellow pen is gorgeous and I always view wood as extra beautiful if it has a beauty mark. Maybe that's just me, but I love knots and stray grain/interesting figure. I think that's image shows the beauty and versatility of the wood very well.

I'm also drawn to the third one, I feel it shows the scope of your work very well.

 

[genxJohn67]

I was hoping the IAP community might share some multi pen photos that they're proud of.

In submitting applications to juried shows, you must provide product and booth photos. It strikes me that using photos that show multiple pens would be a better way to show the expanse of my work, rather than, say, 3 individual pens. But am I never as happy with my photos showing multiple pens. They are either too linear, or the composition feels cluttered. My multi-pen photos never seem as elegant as the ones of individual pens. Here are some I've rejected for use in applications.

View attachment 381374
The eye lands on the natural imperfection of the wood on the yellow pen. Plus I didn't take the pricetags off.
View attachment 381375
Feels cluttered and out of focus.
View attachment 381376
I don't like the pattern of the circle.
View attachment 381377
This isn't terrible. Still, I went with a singular photo of one of the pens and the in-house poured resin as a way of showing my craft.


For reference, comment, and criticism, and here are the photos I have been submitting this year. All of these were pens made in 2024, and none of them are the same as previously submitted last year. One does include multiple pens and was taken on my workbench with some pens in progress in the background. Compositionally, this one is the best I've come up with to show multiple pens, pens in progress, and the element that these are handmade items.

View attachment 381378
View attachment 381379
View attachment 381380
View attachment 381382
View attachment 381381

i really like the booth shot. it gave me an idea for your multi-pen shot too. i'm looking at the box closest to the camera. i wonder what it would look like if took a closer picture at the same angle but put the product card next to the box on the right facing the camera directly. just a thought. good luck on the show. cheers.

 

[Hippie3180]

"I don't think props distract as much as some of you are saying, though... Since I started doing photos like this, views and purchases of my pens have gone up many fold. In fact, the pens in my store used to get roughly zero hits when I had very isolated shots. With these kinds of photos they are frequently the most viewed items of the week..."

I feel this is often true and flat lays using props are a commonly accepted format on social media. I do think when attempting this you need to make it obvious what the true subject matter is, what you are trying to sell.

I view our pens as functional art and my photos are an extension of my art, so I may choose to use a prop because I am trying to project a feel and put an idea into a potential buyers head.

 

[jrista]

I have not actually done a lot of multi-pen photos. The first time I read this, I did not realize you were asking for others to share theirs as well. Here is one I've done recently, that I think is a good photo. You have always had a great way of capturing reflections, that really show off the quality of your finish on the barrels and caps... I haven't quite found a way to do that yet. I do have a relatively new deck with a pergola, that might suit, once the weather warms up. The perlins of the pergola might offer enough contrast against the sky that I could get the kind of reflections you seem to have turned into its own art! Your photos above demonstrate this well!

Hopefully I'll have the opportunity to share more multi-pen photos soon.

 

[jttheclockman]

When you do props and things like that is, is known as artsy photos. Does it distract, it can depending on what it is that you use for props. Jon's leaf photo too me is way too distracting and hides the pens alot because they are the same color as the leaves. One thing I can not stand and when I see them I do not push like button or comment on the pen is when someone holds the pen in their grubby fingers. That has always been a pet peeve of mine. You took the time to make the pen why not at least lay it down on a table or flat surface. We all know a pen gets held in your fingers.

I belong to the Fountain pen Network forum also but have not visited there much because I am not a fountain pen guy. I joined when I joined this to get more pen turning talk and info or tid bits. Anyway they had a contest that was an artsy photo shoot where they wanted the best pen with a good quality watch that they owned. There were some real fantastic shots because people had professional equipment. That is when the prop thing really works. By they way here was mine.