Behind the Image: Kim and the Art of Light

How precision, planning and patience turn a watch into a visual story

A strong product image starts long before the camera is in position.

For Kim, it starts with light. With preparation. With the quiet discipline of looking closely. Every surface reacts differently. Brushed steel, polished edges, ceramic, DLC, glass, lume, shadows and reflections all have their own behaviour. To photograph a watch well, each of these elements has to be understood, controlled and shaped.

Kim’s work is built around that exact balance: technical precision, a clear visual style and a deep respect for the product in front of the lens.

From a bedroom setup to international recognition

Born and raised in an artistic family, Kim discovered photography early. In 2021, he began exploring product photography more seriously from his own bedroom, working with a simple setup, self-built lighting solutions and a lot of curiosity.

What began as experimentation soon became a constant process of learning and refinement. After completing his first photography diploma, Kim continued developing his craft step by step. Today, he works in commercial photography and creates visual content for brands.

His focus is clear: products should be shown precisely, cleanly and naturally while still carrying a creative visual signature. The image needs to look strong, but it also needs to feel true to the object.

In 2024, Kim was named one of the Top 10 Still-Life Photographers worldwide by One Eyeland.

Why watches demand a different kind of attention

Photographing a watch is a game of details.

A case edge can catch too much light. A dial can lose depth. A reflection can hide a shape. A speck of dust can become the first thing you see. Materials that look simple to the eye often become complex in front of the camera.

This is where Kim’s detail-oriented approach becomes essential. He spends a lot of time shaping the light so that materials, forms and surfaces appear as clearly as possible. His goal is to bring out what is already there, without forcing the product into an artificial look.

For Fortis, this matters. Our watches are built with strong materials, functional details and surfaces that change depending on the angle. A good image has to show that character with clarity.

Before the first shot: the planning phase

Kim’s process begins in pre-production.

The first step is understanding the project. What should the image communicate? What does the client need? Which parts of the brand identity need to be reflected? What mood, colour direction and visual treatment fit the product?

From there, Kim creates a moodboard. References, colour worlds, earlier work and first visual ideas come together to define the direction. Once the concept is clear, he builds a shot list. Each planned image is sketched in simple form, helping him think through the composition and setup before the shoot begins.

This preparation gives the production structure. It also leaves space for creative decisions once the product, light and set come together.

The setup: equipment, material and problem solving

After the concept comes the practical planning.

Kim defines which equipment is needed for each shot, whether additional gear has to be rented and what materials or props are required. If a set needs to be built, those elements are planned early as well.

A key part of his preparation is identifying possible problems before they happen. That can mean difficult reflections, fragile set pieces, technical limitations or product-specific details that need extra care.

The better these questions are solved in advance, the smoother the shoot becomes.

The shoot: adjust, refine, repeat

Once everything is ready, the shooting phase begins.

The set is built. The product is placed. The light is shaped, tested, adjusted and refined. Depending on the size of the project, this process can take several days.

During the shoot, Kim already marks potential final images. The later post-production is also considered from the start, because some elements can be planned directly on set while others are completed later in editing.

It is a careful process. Small changes can make a big difference. A slight shift in light, angle or reflection can change the entire image.

After the shoot: the invisible work

When the shooting is finished, the files are backed up and mirrored immediately. Then the post-production begins.

This is where the image is finished detail by detail. Dust particles are removed. Colours are corrected. Reflections are refined. Small holders, safety elements or support structures are retouched when needed.

The goal is a final image that feels clean, precise and natural. The work should be visible in the quality of the result, not in the editing itself.

Throughout the process, Kim keeps the client updated. Depending on the project, there may be more or less creative freedom, but communication remains part of the workflow from start to finish.

Kim’s tip: start with the light

Kim’s most important advice is simple:

Light is everything.

Soft light is especially useful when photographing watches. It reduces visible marks such as scratches, dust and fingerprints and creates smooth, even reflections on polished surfaces. Hard light creates sharp shadows, stronger contrast and a more defined look.

The important thing to understand is scale. A light source becomes soft or hard depending on how large it appears in relation to the object.

The sun is enormous, but because it is so far away, we perceive it as a small, hard light source. A cloudy sky works differently. The clouds act like a large natural diffuser, spreading the light and making it softer.

How to try it at home

You do not need a professional studio to understand the effect of soft light. A cloudy day is one of the easiest natural setups. The cloud cover spreads the light evenly and creates a soft look that works very well for watch photography.

At home, a window with a curtain can already make a big difference. Thin paper or packaging material can also be used to diffuse light and make it softer. Especially with watches, the effect is immediate. Reflections become smoother. Surfaces look cleaner. Details become easier to control.

More from Kim, soon

This is only the beginning.

Kim will continue working with our collections, bringing new Fortis watches into his world of light, detail and precision. More images are coming soon.

Until then, discover more of Kim’s work on his website and social channels. His portfolio gives a deeper look into the visual language, technical care and creative discipline behind every image.