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New to Product photography

Started 6 months ago | Questions thread
Rodger in Edmonton
Rodger in Edmonton Veteran Member • Posts: 4,599
Re: New to Product photography

Joel Klein wrote:

Rodger in Edmonton wrote:

Joel Klein wrote:

Product photography is something I’m being asked to do. I have the tools (or maybe not) Nikon Z7ii and Z MC 105 lens, a tripod, remote shutter release.

It began with a bottle of alcoholic beverage, And now I got an expensive Bourbon that requires a white clean background with no shadows for the graphic designer.

I called B&H, explained that I have the skill to capture Eagles at the Conowingo dam with a Z9 and long glass, I have a full fledge kids portrait studio, lighting softboxes, props, and everything in between. but I have never done products professionally, and Iโ€™m being asked to do so. Why say no to additional opportunities? I donโ€™t want to use my giant soft boxes for products, I want them to stay where they are.

So the rep recommended this

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1436269-REG

I would love to learn more / read more about this genre of photography.

Any ideas? Tips? Do’s and dont’s?

Thanks ๐Ÿ™

This book is the source you need , it has entire chapters dedicated to form & specific substances like metal, glass, reflective metal etc etc...it teaches how to choose and use the proper tools and lighting scheme depending the size, substance , topography, reflectivity and dimensions of the object before us ie light interact with glass, meta and wood differently.

A glass bottle can be portrayed as translucent, darkened with a rim light, backlit for structure etc

It teaches the Family of Angle sand how to apply them effectively for your purpose etc,

This edition is from a few years back

Thanks ๐Ÿ™

This is specifically for products?

The text deals primarily in still life which product photography falls under ( 7/ 11 chapters, 2 other chapters deal with portraits, one with travel light and one with setting up a studio.

Products are objects made of specific materials - to photograph them properly , one has sto know how light interacts with metal, glass etc, how to manage reflections etc

So if one aspires to photograph bottles or glass - one has to know how to create the story - ie a tranlsucent look, a dark invisible look etc

Here is a metal object , if one understands the nature of metal and the Family of Angles,

that is understanding that each objects has an ideal angled of approach based on what the object/ product is made of.

Product photography is still life photography.

Your local library probably has it, it is exceeding valuable in dealing with genres liek product photography.

For smaller objects you want a white box and black box - you can make these from B&W boards from the Dollar Store - make a cube and this ensures a uniform lighting of the object if it is a catalogue shot or web product. Mimic what the big boys do aside from the creative angle

You also want sheets of B&W paper from the dollar store to use as ad hoc gobos and reflectors, wireless speedlights are a must.

Tissue paper works amazingly well on most product surfaces - you wil find a unique set up is need for each but these are easily constructed wit the aforesaid materials.

Do a search of this forum and there are some really nice liquor shots and produce and food.

For a car - you need agiant soft box to hang over it.

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Best Regards, Rodger
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