Shooteasy

I am starting a small business and want to take pictures of my products. I have a decent basic setup: Light box, reflectors, tripod etc. I would love to get some advice or critique on the results as I never really took these types of images before. Being new to the forum, would this be the proper area to post these?

Thanks for the direction.

Michael

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Hi Micheal!

Yes! This is the section for your project.

You can post the images you have made for critique or suggestions.

Please tell me about the specifics of your products. If you haven't as yet come up with a setup, I can help you design one.

Looking forward to your post, Ed

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

To show a product to best advantage, the lighting must be such that avoids shadows and reflections. Experimentation with the light sources on your products is the path to follow.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

This general statement is not true. Good photographs with dimension and viewer impact are comprised of light, shadows and reflections. It a matter of placing the highlights, shadows and middle tones in the right place and in the right proportions that is the function of good lighting. Reflections must be controlled and managed and the way they are handled is dependent on the various surfaces of the product. There are different methodologies for lighing highly reflective objects as well as things that absorb light. There are specific ways of bring out textures.

Experimentation is fine for othere kinds of photography but in commercial work there are basic lighting methodologies and procedures that are time-honored and at least, are starting points which are subject to variation depending on the job. The nature of commercial work requires efficiency in that there is little time for experimentation- the work needs to get done in a timely manner for the clients so the can get on with their promotional work.

This is why I asked the OP to post images he has made thus far and to elaborate on the kinds of products he is going to advertise. I will recommend a method based on his available gear and his level of knowledge.

I am awaiting his reply.

donrosshill Loc: Delaware & Florida

Michael, If you are serious, then the first question in Industrial photography is, what is your clients goal? Is it for historical record, is it for resale purpose, etc. This will or should guide you toward your end result.
If for record keeping then use a flat overall lighting to show as much detail as possible, if it is for a resale purpose define what your client is looking for. Creative lighting and views can vary.
Why not post some of your images?
Don

Shooteasy

Thanks all. I will post some samples later. I am just a bit apprehensive due to the product and accessories I sell. I sell primarily used firearms as well as accessories. Primarily I will be putting these on a website once a larger inventory is established. I also will be doing Class 3 transfers.

I have a contained light box if that is the proper word, plenty of background material. Lenses are 10-24, 24-70, 70-200 and a prime 35. Nikon D7200. Most of these will simply be posted to a web site. From my own buying experience, the greater the detail the better. I am getting a little glare and shadows I haven't figured how to resolve yet as you will see when I finally post some. The backgrounds are also a sticking point. I like using patterns but that doesn't seem to be the best. My busy season so I hope to get these up soon. Thanks for all the help

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

The first step upon taking a commercial assignment is to determine the clients. requirements, needss, concept and media presentation of the images. Some insight into the product's features and selling points. This kid of product knowledge helps in establishing the best views, camer positions and lighting that will emphasize the concept.

I assume that the product shots, in this cases, are for advertising the OP's products- perhas in print, or online.

Most commercial work is not for historical record and in many cased the usefulness of the images are rather short lived. Good images with effective lightg, however, can be saved for record purposes nonetheless.

I do agree that certa products and industrial environmental scene may require EVEN lighting with soft highlight and transparents shadows, however, I don't consider that "'flat" lightning. Certain products may require a more documentary approach while others need more of a dramatic illustration. Obviously, items like medical instruments for a catalog and cosmetics require very different approaches or treatments.

The commercial photographer shoud have a firm grasp of certain basic lighting pronciples- angle of incidence, lighting ratios as per contrast and dynamic range. ligh quality as to softness and hardness and the illusion of dimension.

Sometmes, on big budget assignments where ad agencies are involved, all of this information gathering is made easier for the photographer. There might be art direction or a layout to follow and all the photographer needs to do is execute the concept. In smaller jobs for independent small businesses, the photographer usually needs to take the art direction in hand and come up with the best scenario for the customer. Oftentimes it's just a good clean streightford image with an appropriate background. It can also be a more complex storytelling illustration that requires a more unique or creative approach.

Think about this- Years ago, especially in rural areas, folks made many purchases through catalogs- Sears comes to mind. The photographs in those catalogs were of very high quality and detailed. Urban dwellers, perhaps shopped more frequently in stores. Nowadays the catalogs have been replaced by websites and E.business. Look at AMAZON! Even we photograhers are using the big-box dealers and buying online. Even big city folks are getting lazy and depending on the the "big brown truck" and Fedex to bring in the goods. Nowadays, good photographic images are an important part of sales, perhaps more than ever before.

Shooteasy

OK. Trying to up load 2 different photos. I think I know where I am lacking in some areas. G17 isn't centered, I used 2 different white balance settings looking for the best setup, light direction and on the list goes. I used a light box with the objects inside with a white cloth covering the direct light from the top. Right about 40mm on the zoom, a little more on the smaller one, ISO 400 (should go lower?) F7.1 on both and adjusted Shutter. Hit me with the improvements.

Wants: To get the object to appear more black than gray, yet maintain that gray background, and not lose the detail.

Is the background too busy? Solids may be best here? Thanks for any and all ideas / advice.

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E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

OK, Great- Firearms!

A few questions- What is the actual ligh source- electronic flash or continuous light? Be specific.

Are you using a softbox or are you improving one with a ligh box and cloth? What size is it?

Do you have a way of suspending the light directly over the table? A boom stand or can you rig something up?

Art the final pictures for print or online use?

Are the guns jet black, dark gray, gunmetal blue?

Do you have or can you improvise a "silver" reflector?

Do you want to emphasize the engravings on the guns- the logo and the place of manufacture?

What background tone or color world you prefer- black, medium gray, white, floating on pure white, other? can you access some seamless background paper. The have it is smaller more manageable rolls.

You can also use some textured metal as a background- the kind with kinda fish shaped ridges- they use it on steps and platforms. You can spray paint it in the tone you want- looks good with guns and hardwear.

Get back to me when you can. Meanwhile I'll work out a lightg plan- simple and easy.

Loose the cloth background- as you said- to busy and distracts from the textures on the grip.

Shooteasy

A few questions- What is the actual ligh source- electronic flash or continuous light? Be specific.

Are you using a softbox or are you improving one with a light box and cloth? What size is it?
It is the type of box that you can put things in and has lights over the top inside with a white cloth covering the light. 17x17.

Do you have a way of suspending the light directly over the table? A boom stand or can you rig something up? The light are directly over it in the box. I think I used the wrong name for what I have.

Art the final pictures for print or online use? Online use only. Want to offer wallpapers for phones and computers though. Possible?

Are the guns jet black, dark gray, gunmetal blue? Simply answered : Yes. Most contain all those colors. Prefer to make them appear more black without losing too much detail.

Do you have or can you improvise a "silver" reflector? Yes. Have one. The inside of the box is also all silver reflecting on the sides and bottom.

Do you want to emphasize the engravings on the guns- the logo and the place of manufacture? Manufacture name sticking out is a plus. A good percentage of gun guys love their brand. (Almost like photographers I see).

What background tone or color world you prefer- black, medium gray, white, floating on pure white, other? can you access some seamless background paper. The have it is smaller more manageable rolls.
I do have a light blue, white and black. None appealed to me. I am really liking the metal background. Like diamond plate, but in different colors. Opinion?

You can also use some textured metal as a background- the kind with kinda fish shaped ridges- they use it on steps and platforms. You can spray paint it in the tone you want- looks good with guns and hardwear.
This is what I am leaning toward. Will look at some tomorrow.

Get back to me when you can. Meanwhile I'll work out a lightg plan- simple and easy.

Loose the cloth background- as you said- to busy and distracts from the textures on the g

Thanks so much for the response! Really motivated me tonite. Hope I answered your questions . Going to look at plates tomorrow!