Product lighting

I don't know why nobody replies to your post but I think these are exceptionally well executed product shots. Would like to have your lighting skills 8>
 
I like them quite a lot. I do have some niggles as detailed below, but the overall vision is smack on and execution is very good.

Here is my (hopefully) constructive criticism (we all love that don't we?):

1 - I question the odd reflection at the right going to center as it approaches the top. Is that intentional? You might also try to get some light on the label. Possibly do a second shot much brighter and then feather in an oval around the label (or something like that).

2 - The lighting works very well for these. The only niggle is that they tilt slightly to the left.

3 - Love the concept, but the dark stripe in the middle muddles the message by obscuring the name on the cup. For a commercial shoot, it is important to make the name pop out (IMO).

-Gene L.
http://www.ttl-biz.com
http://www.studiography.blogspot.com
 
Product photography is tough, and you are off to a very good start. I like your use of light and shadow to show the shape and texture of your subjects, but think the shadow is a little too deep.

I've struggled with it a fair amount, and have gotten to the point where I get decent results, although it's been several years. I'm no expert, but can offer some suggestions:

I think you need to add more frontal lighting to all 3, but especially the first and third. The shadows are too deep, and don't show the front of the objects enough. I'd add a large diffuse light source from the front, stopped down somewhere around 1 stop from your key light.

Adding more frontal light to the vase will be trickier. Maybe just a carefully controlled highlight to show the glassy surface.

Also, the flask in #1 is dirty, or scratched. You want your subjects to be totally spotless. Take a very bright handheld light and rake it across the surface of your subject before you shoot, moving it around to skim across all the different parts of the surface, and use the raking light to look for dust and scratches. The dust you can clean off with a lint-free cloth treated with dust remover. (A product photographer might have a better suggestion for cleaning your objects.) You probably need a brand new, pristine object to avoid scratches.
An attempt at product photography.







More lighting details on :
http://www.nirajkedar.com/blog/2010/08/tabletop-lighting/

regards,
Niraj

--
http://www.blog.nirajkedar.com
--
Regards,

Duncan C

dpreview and PBase supporter.



http://www.pbase.com/duncanc
My macro gallery:
http://www.pbase.com/duncanc/macro_pictures&page=all
 
I like them quite a lot. I do have some niggles as detailed below, but the overall vision is smack on and execution is very good.

Here is my (hopefully) constructive criticism (we all love that don't we?):

1 - I question the odd reflection at the right going to center as it approaches the top. Is that intentional? You might also try to get some light on the label. Possibly do a second shot much brighter and then feather in an oval around the label (or something like that).

2 - The lighting works very well for these. The only niggle is that they tilt slightly to the left.

3 - Love the concept, but the dark stripe in the middle muddles the message by obscuring the name on the cup. For a commercial shoot, it is important to make the name pop out (IMO).

-Gene L.
http://www.ttl-biz.com
http://www.studiography.blogspot.com
Thanx a lot. I agree to all your points. In #1 the line of reflection is created by the flash at the top. In #3 definitely the Alcatel-lucent and the logo is a lil off. Thats a common comment I received from a lot of folks :)

--
http://www.blog.nirajkedar.com
 
Product photography is tough, and you are off to a very good start. I like your use of light and shadow to show the shape and texture of your subjects, but think the shadow is a little too deep.

I've struggled with it a fair amount, and have gotten to the point where I get decent results, although it's been several years. I'm no expert, but can offer some suggestions:

I think you need to add more frontal lighting to all 3, but especially the first and third. The shadows are too deep, and don't show the front of the objects enough. I'd add a large diffuse light source from the front, stopped down somewhere around 1 stop from your key light.

Adding more frontal light to the vase will be trickier. Maybe just a carefully controlled highlight to show the glassy surface.

Also, the flask in #1 is dirty, or scratched. You want your subjects to be totally spotless. Take a very bright handheld light and rake it across the surface of your subject before you shoot, moving it around to skim across all the different parts of the surface, and use the raking light to look for dust and scratches. The dust you can clean off with a lint-free cloth treated with dust remover. (A product photographer might have a better suggestion for cleaning your objects.) You probably need a brand new, pristine object to avoid scratches.
An attempt at product photography.







More lighting details on :
http://www.nirajkedar.com/blog/2010/08/tabletop-lighting/

regards,
Niraj

--
http://www.blog.nirajkedar.com
--
Regards,

Duncan C

dpreview and PBase supporter.



http://www.pbase.com/duncanc
My macro gallery:
http://www.pbase.com/duncanc/macro_pictures&page=all
Thanx Duncan.. Yes the flask is almost 6 months old ;) and has traveled with me quite a bit. I wish I had a new one. Theres definitely less light on the front of these objects - something i will work on henceforth.

--
http://www.blog.nirajkedar.com
 

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