WATCHES & JEWELLERY PHOTOGRAPHY Jun 2014

It all began in 1975 in Brussels when Jo van den Berg met Georgette Berger, the widow of Rene Magritte, who had died eight years previously. The famous Surrealist had been an inspiration for the passionate photographer from the beginning, and now he had direct access to his work.

Over the following two years, Jo worked in Amsterdam before moving to Hamburg, where as a photographer and artist he continues to run his own studio. His clients include Cartier, Mont Blanc (book: 'Entschleunigug', or 'The discovery of slowness') and Chopard.

Jo is known as a creative photographer with high demands on quality. In close collaboration with his creative team, he produces exceptional images, offering a full service including post-production.

Jonathan Pollock is a London-based photographer specialising in jewellery. Featured in this Spotlight is a selection of his latest images for two jewellery companies.

Email Jonathan to see how he can help you with your next project.

Jürgen Jeibmann lives and works in Dresden (Saxony). In his watch photography he links his personal interest in fine chronometers with his photographic passion - which is the same as watch-makers in relation to their masterpieces: perfection up to the finest detail.

With a specialised camera system and lighting technique, he shoots premium labels like Glashütte Original, Grossmann Uhren and Lange & Söhne. In 1992 Jürgen moved from his home town Essen to Dresden, where he first worked for Scholz & Friends before founding his atelier. Aside from his photographic work, he also assists film crews when it comes to lighting time pieces.

He recently photographed a large-format 2014 calendar featuring watches from six manufacturers from Glashütte.

Contact Jürgen direct for more information.

Olff Appold has been working in his loft studios in Hamburg for 15 years. Shooting images for advertising agencies and magazines, he has also developed and designed editorial content and comprehensive brand communications, advertisements and product presentations.

The creative studios offer clients everything from logistics spread over two studios to product preparation, elaborate set-ups and dummy constructions. Close collaboration with the best stylists and creatives enhances the studio's work to provide strong brand imagery for every client.

Olff's style is lucid and clearly defined, and yet he is very creative when it comes to staging even the simplest of objects. In-house post-production and look-development leads to contemporary visual languages, guaranteeing agencies and clients alike perfect results from a single source.

In addition, Olff increasingly works for the luxury goods industry as well as strong fashion brands. Since the beginning of his career he has photographed for fashion and lifestyle magazines that regularly publish his personal editorial series.

Omer Knaz is best known for his work with luxury goods, jewellery, watches and fragrances. With over ten years' experience, he brings enthusiasm and commitment to every brief, creating strong dynamic images for advertising, editorial and commercial clients.

Whilst using the most up-to-date digital equipment, Omer retains a firm belief in applying this technology to enhance the image, leaving as much as possible to be created ‘in camera’.

Omer mostly shoots at his Shoreditch studio.

Based in central London and working across still life, liquids, advertising, fashion and beauty photography, Pixeleyes provides clients with a creative and hassle-free service.

Specialists in creating stunning quality imagery, the company was established 10 years ago with the philosophy of paying the closest attention to detail to the creation of high-end still life photography.

"What drives us is making the impossible a reality."

Pixeleyes is well known for its use of liquids and special effects to create spectacular beauty, fashion and product stills.

Visit the website for more information.

Reinhold Schroers specialises in still life photography, shooting high-quality watches, jewellery, precious stones, perfumes and luxury accessories. Located in Dusseldorf, he also provides high quality video productions.

Across both photography and film, Reinhold devotes great care to perfecting lighting for macro shots, with light curves available over only a few millimetres. His goal is to work out the character of an object by representing the finest facets and structures.

Reinhold uses the latest digital recording technology including innovative, digitally controlled motion control equipment for precise tracking shots and unusual perspectives.

His three studios - one with daylight and an 8m ceiling height - are set in the legendary studio spaces of Josef Beuys. From composing to proofs, he guarantees the entire workflow with outstanding quality.

Zuckerfabrik Fotodesign is an advertising studio based in Stuttgart.

Thomas Zörlein and Matthias Kaiser are focused on watch photography and still life images. They share a passion for detail and perfection that they have in common with their photographic objects, while individual lighting and arrangements make each of their photos unique.

A lighting technique developped especially for watch photography gives a broad and individual atmosphere for each of their photos. Complete post-production up to colour proofing is also done in-house.

Thomas and Matthias shoot for companies, advertising agencies and special interest magazines.