Photographing Knives Has It's Challenges

As a commercial photographer based in Draper, Utah, I’ve had the privilege of working with a variety of clients across different industries. One recent project that stood out was photographing a new line of handcrafted Damascus steel kitchen knives for Forseti Steel, a local Utah-based company. Forseti specializes in forging premium-quality knives that pay homage to the rich tradition of Damascus steel — a craft that has been handed down through generations of skilled blade-smiths. Their knives are known for their striking water-like patterns and unparalleled craftsmanship.

For this project, Forseti needed high-end images that would capture the beauty and precision of their knives, while making sure the photos would be easy to use for their e-commerce website. The goal was to showcase the knives in a dramatic and sophisticated light, matching the premium quality of the product.

Setting the Stage: Creating a Dramatic, High-End Look

When it comes to product photography in Utah, getting the right balance between lighting, angle, and background is crucial. Forseti wanted the knives to stand out against a dark background to emphasize the intricate details of the Damascus steel. With this vision in mind, I used a solid black poster board as the surface for the knives, ensuring a clean, minimalist look that would allow the product to speak for itself.

Lighting was key to achieving the high-end, dramatic effect Forseti desired. I used a strobe light with barn doors and a grid to direct the light precisely where I needed it, avoiding any light spill. To soften the light and reduce harsh reflections on the knives' reflective surfaces, I used white pasteboards around the knives to create a makeshift lightbox. This allowed me to bounce light around the product and achieve the perfect amount of illumination, making sure not to overexpose any areas of the knives — especially the blade.

In fact, photographing knives is a tricky task, as the reflective surfaces pick up everything around them, including light sources, camera angles, and even the photographer’s own reflection. Soft, indirect lighting is essential to avoid harsh glares and to showcase the beautiful textures without overwhelming the image.

Overcoming Challenges: Finding the Right Angle and Light

The tricky part of this shoot was getting the light to hit just the right spots on the knives without overexposing them. After experimenting with various setups and angles, I spent a good amount of time figuring out the best combination of lighting and positioning. Once I had the perfect setup, I placed my camera on a tripod and photographed each knife individually, maintaining consistency with the lighting and composition for a cohesive series of images.

Attention to Detail in Post-Production

In post-editing, I worked hard to ensure that all the images looked like they were photographed on the same surface, under the same lighting, even though I was capturing knives of different lengths and in single and multiple setups. I spent extra time in Photoshop to adjust and fine-tune the images, ensuring they were uniform across the board. The final result was a set of stunning product photos that were easy for Forseti to use across their website.

Client Feedback: A Perfect Match

The feedback I received from Forseti was incredibly positive. They were thrilled with the final images, mentioning how easy it was to use them for their website. In the past, they’d worked with a photographer who required extra steps, like resizing images and adjusting crops, before they could be used online. With my images, I made sure everything was formatted correctly from the start — using a 1:1 crop ratio — so Forseti could plug the photos directly into their e-commerce site without any additional work.

They also appreciated that the knives’ intricate textures and craftsmanship were showcased without any distracting reflections or harsh lighting, which is often a challenge with highly reflective products. Forseti was impressed with how I handled the lighting and angles to highlight the premium quality of their knives.

The Takeaway: Trusting the Process for a Seamless Shoot

Working with Forseti was an absolute pleasure, and I’m proud of how this project turned out. I was able to showcase their knives in a way that highlighted both the artistry and the functional design. Forseti trusted me to bring their vision to life, and I’m glad we could collaborate to create something they were excited to share with their customers.

If you’re a Utah-based business looking for high-quality product photography that showcases your products in the best light, I’d love to work with you. Whether you’re in the Salt Lake City area or along the Wasatch Front, I specialize in creating images that elevate your brand and make your products stand out. Contact me today to discuss how I can help bring your product photography vision to life!

The Final Images & Behind the Scenes

The final images of Forseti’s knives highlight the premium craftsmanship and sleek design of each piece, with dramatic lighting that makes the blades stand out on a dark, clean backdrop. The images were carefully composed to show off the unique texture and intricate details of each knife, resulting in a clean, professional look that translates perfectly to their website.

To give you a peek behind the scenes, here’s a photo of my setup during the shoot. As you can see, the lighting and positioning of the knives were crucial to achieving the desired effect. Every detail—from the soft bounce light to the strategic placement of the props—was designed to ensure the knives looked their absolute best without overwhelming reflections or harsh shadows.