Need more contrast

[Peter Connan]

I need some help.

My brother makes custom knives, and I am trying to take some photos that are good enough for him to use for advertisement purposes.

How do I get the Damascus in the steel to stand out better (it is clearly visible in the crop, but disappears when the whole knife is in the frame)?

Setup is D750 + Nikkor 55mm f2.8 AI-S, shooting in a light tent with two old Bowens studio flashes each with an additional cloth diffuser over the shade pointing in from both sides.

f22, 1/60th and ISO 125

Thank you

[Jakov Minić]

For starters I would change the background. Try black!
The blade is light and perhaps it will pop out better with a black background?
Why are you shooting at f/22? Don't you have enough depth of field with f/8?

[Frank Fremerey]

I you want to emphasize structure try the angles of 90deg +/-

Do not diffuse the light so much.

I you loose a lot of details scaling to target height you should consult the shop software and understand how scaling is done there. See to non scaling.

[elsa hoffmann]

Peter, I also think the background is competing with the subject too much.
One can increase the contrast in post production, but I would be very careful and perhaps rather go with a slight angle as Frank said - and also perhaps a black reflector

[ColinM]

I can't add to the advice already given. Actually the beautiful finish is fairly clear in the full frame - once you know to look for it.

Depending on what your brother Is looking to achieve, you could try inserting a small 100% crop in one corner of the image to entice people to look closer.

Sadly, when viewed online and with a tablet, it's possible some people may still miss this - I can imagine a nice A3 sized poster on the walls of a specialist shop would be a different proposition. Meanwhile I'm sure some visitors here may be interested in buying one of these knifes for themselves!

Finally I'd not come across this type of metalwork before. For anyone else interested here are a couple of links
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus_steel
http://www.nytimes.com/1981/09/29/science/the-mystery-of-damascus-steel-appears-solved.html

[Erik Lund]

You should use a single light with softbox and a grid on. It will make a subtle drop shadow and keep texture.

[HCS]

Buy, borrow or rent the book "Light, science and magic". It will show you everything there is to know about lighting shiny objects.

Use a black card to bring the required contrast in the engraving and indeed don't use a light tent, but directional light. That could (perhaps should) be a soft box, but not so scattered around like in a light tent.

Do read the book, really recommended.

[afx]

Buy, borrow or rent the book "Light, science and magic". It will show you everything there is to know about lighting shiny objects.

Yes, get the definite reference...

cheers
afx

[elsa hoffmann]

Might have the book for you - if you are interested

[Almass]

Your lighting should be at a hard angle, failing which a bit of S&P 

[Almass]

Might have the book for you - if you are interested

Owww. My bed time book together with the Lasagne recipe and LaDuree menue 

[Gary]

I'm interested in a purchasing a knife. Can I get a discount?

[Jan Anne]

Try a smooth background, now the texture of the damascus steel disappears against the much coarser pattern of the (fake) leather.

Some local clarity, structure, contrast and sharpness adjustments should bring out the nice damascus pattern and leave the background untouched.

[Jan Anne]

The redneck in me also has something to say

Thats no knife, THIS is a knife!!! 

D800E with 35/1.4G

This custom handmade chopper was part of my two week canoeing survival kit in 2013 and has been doing so since 1999

iPhone 5 with the Hipstamatic app

[Jakov Minić]

Jan Anne, my friend, you are unique! 
I simply admire your bits and pieces!