A couple of attempts at product photography

A couple of attempts at product photography · 06:16 AM

I do some of this stuff for work and I think I'm just about getting the hang of it soon. Was trying out a new technique today with these couple of random tech items that were laying around.

Flickr Photo Download: nokia 1112

Flickr Photo Download: tamron 18-250 product photo

Taken with a K200D + 50mm Sigma macro lens. You reckon the lighting/contrast/tones are okay? Thoughts appreciated.

**Ash** · 02-25-2009, 06:45 AM

I like it.
Creative lighting here.
I'd add just a touch of top lighting to lift some of the details above.
I guess it depends what products you'll be shooting, but that's just me.

TaoMaas · 02-25-2009, 06:48 AM

Originally posted by Ash

I'd add just a touch of top lighting to lift some of the details above.

I think they both need a bit more top fill, too. Other than that, I like them. Nice job.

**Lowell Goudge** · 02-25-2009, 08:09 AM

Originally posted by TaoMaas

I think they both need a bit more top fill, too. Other than that, I like them. Nice job.

more fill on top or less on the sides?

If you add more lighting on top, the LCD display on the phone will be impossible to read. This situation needs to be re-evaluated to insure the display is not lost.

you are correct that the ratio of top to side lighting is not ideal, but I think your means of achieving the correct ratio could cause other problems

artistcjconrad · 02-25-2009, 08:57 AM

I would use just a white reflector to bring out little more detail in the shadow area without losing the overall mood of the picture.

cj
CJConrad - Canadian Landscape Artist

gawan · 02-25-2009, 09:57 AM

They look good to me, at least artistically, but may need more light as said...

Erik · 02-25-2009, 10:17 AM

Thanks for the comments. I think you're probably right about needing more fill on the top. I like that there is some shadow/light contrast though. I held a silver reflector in my left hand while taking the pictures, reflecting light from a studio lamp about a meter away. Should probably have moved that a little closer.

Regarding the display, if this had been a real assignment I'd have done like the pros and made a fake display in Photoshop. I don't think there's one cellphone promotional photo anywhere that actually has a real picture of the display.

Another thing -- I love shake reduction. The picture of the lens was taken handheld at 1/20 sec and is TACK sharp.

mithrandir · 02-25-2009, 11:08 AM

Those of you interested in product photography will like the linked article:

Reflections on Product Photography

roentarre · 02-25-2009, 01:27 PM

Excellent lighting. Just a little dark on the facade of the lenses...

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02-25-2009, 06:45 AM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	I like it. Creative lighting here. I'd add just a touch of top lighting to lift some of the details above. I guess it depends what products you'll be shooting, but that's just me.

02-25-2009, 06:48 AM	#3
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	Originally posted by Ash I'd add just a touch of top lighting to lift some of the details above. I think they both need a bit more top fill, too. Other than that, I like them. Nice job.

02-25-2009, 08:09 AM	#4
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	Originally posted by TaoMaas I think they both need a bit more top fill, too. Other than that, I like them. Nice job. more fill on top or less on the sides? If you add more lighting on top, the LCD display on the phone will be impossible to read. This situation needs to be re-evaluated to insure the display is not lost. you are correct that the ratio of top to side lighting is not ideal, but I think your means of achieving the correct ratio could cause other problems

02-25-2009, 08:57 AM	#5
artistcjconrad Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: La Croche, Quebec; Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 225	I would use just a white reflector to bring out little more detail in the shadow area without losing the overall mood of the picture. cj CJConrad - Canadian Landscape Artist

02-25-2009, 09:57 AM	#6
gawan Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Helsinki Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,400	They look good to me, at least artistically, but may need more light as said...

02-25-2009, 10:17 AM	#7
Erik Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Umeå, Sweden Posts: 755 Original Poster	Thanks for the comments. I think you're probably right about needing more fill on the top. I like that there is some shadow/light contrast though. I held a silver reflector in my left hand while taking the pictures, reflecting light from a studio lamp about a meter away. Should probably have moved that a little closer. Regarding the display, if this had been a real assignment I'd have done like the pros and made a fake display in Photoshop. I don't think there's one cellphone promotional photo anywhere that actually has a real picture of the display. Another thing -- I love shake reduction. The picture of the lens was taken handheld at 1/20 sec and is TACK sharp.

02-25-2009, 11:08 AM	#8
mithrandir Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,895	Those of you interested in product photography will like the linked article: Reflections on Product Photography

02-25-2009, 01:27 PM	#9
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Excellent lighting. Just a little dark on the facade of the lenses...