WELCOME TO PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY
OUR FIRST IMAGE IS DUE JANUARY 9, 2021
IMPORTANT; THE CLASSES NOW REQUIRE A PASSWORD.
IT IS LOCATED JUST UNDER THE LINK TO EACH CLASS.
NOTE:
Our first review webinar is on January 9, 2020 (Saturday). The first image is due before the meeting time of 9:30 AM. Sharp. Being late to upload creates a problem for how we see the work for the reviews.
I meet a lot of photographers, and when I do the general consensus of so many of them is that product photography is boring, or drop-‘n-pop stuff that no one wants to do.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Product photography is a strong, vital, and creative genre within the commercial photography genre. While some photographers are confused by what they see as ‘anyone with a camera’ threatening their work, the truth is great product photographers are several stratas above ‘anyone with a camera’ – and will be for a long time coming
Product photography is vital to commerce, both B2B and B2C. Clients range from large ad agencies to small one person boutique shops making one of a kind crafts.
Good photography sells more stuff – and that is their goal.
Let’s get going, shall we?
(FACEBOOK GROUP)
Ask to be admitted, I will approve as fast as I can.
There will be a Facebook Gallery created for each assignment.
PLEASE DO NOT WORK AHEAD… That will confuse everything.
SCROLL DOWN FOR CLASSES.
Please read and view all materials before starting.
WEBINAR REGISTRATION:
WEBINARS BEGIN JANUARY 9, 2021
THERE WILL BE EIGHT ASSIGNMENTS AND EIGHT WEBINARS.
SCHEDULE MAY CHANGE DUE TO UNFORSEEN REASONS,
MAKE SURE YOU CHECK WITH THE FACEBOOK GROUP
BEFORE EVERY MEETING.
SATURDAYS AT 9:30 AM PACIFIC TIME
WEBINAR LINK
IMAGES WILL BE UPLOADED TO A FACEBOOK GALLERY FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL CLASS.
WHAT PHOTOGRAPHERS THINK PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY IS
WHAT EXCELLENT PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY REALLY IS
In this class, we will be looking at making product photographs that go beyond the boring stuff that clients do with their cellphones, or have Jerry in shipping do with his really good camera.
We want to make images that pull the viewer in, tweak their desire to purchase, and capture their imagination.
All with our photograph.
We use light, composition, color, contrast, dimension, texture and more to make powerful images of stuff that may be rather mundane in ‘real life’.
Like a toaster.
In addition, you can do it if it is scorching hot outside, or brutally cold. You can work on product photography rain or shine, day or night. And the product never stands you up, comes in with drama, has long, screaming phone calls with their ex, or otherwise makes your day less pleasant.
Oh, and you can play your favorite music in the studio. As loud as you want. For me it is Frank, Dean, and Sammy. I’m sure you have your own.
IMPORTANT TOOLS WE WILL BE USING
- A small 4×4 (approx) table to shoot on
- A boom for putting your light over the top of the set
- Lighting consisting of 3 or more lights (strobe or continuous)
- Soft boxes for at least two lights
- At least one scrim (DIY is fine, and we have plans for you to build one)
- Enough stands to hold all three lights and a scrim
- A grid spot for at least one of the lights
- Access to the props and subjects we will be shooting (listed below)
- Tripod
- An assortment of white and black cards (available at Dollar Stores or Target)
If you do not have these, get them ASAP. It will be nearly impossible to work without them.
NEED STUFF TO GET STARTED WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK?
If you need a set of lights to work with in this class, consider taking a look at these. Very inexpensive, and very useful.
Since product is not usually moving around, we can use inexpensive continuous light to help us visualize where the light will fall, how it will be reflected back to the camera, and what the light will reveal on the product.
This is a good set of lights with softboxes AND a boom. Three lights and stands.
Another inexpensive kit with three lights, softboxes, boom, stands and boom weight.
If you are going to use scrims, this set of LED’s is quite a good set of lights. I have them and love them a lot.
Here is a good scrim for a good price.
If you just need a boom, this one will work well.
The scrim from a 5-in-one reflector set can be a good asset if you have one already.
Tripods are a must for product photography. Make sure yours holds the camera steady and doesn’t wobble.
Stands are the lifeblood of any product set, so make sure you have as many as you can. (NOTE: cheap stands can be great for holding fill cards or scrims.
PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON GEAR. I am happy to help you put together a good tabletop setup for any budget you have to work with.
Meet Eric Muetterties, a full time product shooter in the Bay Area. His insights into shooting product will be invaluable.
GREAT BASIC INFO FROM COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
ASSIGNMENTS: ONE PER WEEK (PLEASE DO NOT WORK AHEAD)
01: Consumer Bottle Product
Due January 9, 2021
From sports drinks to shampoo and conditioner, so many things come in bottles that it is easy to forget just how many different shapes there are. For this assignment, we will be using bottles that are not translucent. The bottles must be opaque, or with a deep color so as to not allow light to come through the bottle.
Go to class page:
Pwd: ProductRocks
02: Men’s / Women’s Shoes
Due January 16, 2021
One of the most purchased product is the shoe. Whether women or men, the shoe is a seasonal change, or utility change, or fashion change and most people have more than one pair. Shoes are big business, and when we are shooting them, it is the business of shoes we are tasked with representing.
Go to class page:
Pwd: ProductRocks
03: Power Tools / Equipment
Due January 23, 2021
Here’s where we make Tim the Toolman drool a bit. Power tools are awesome, and there are many needs for product shots of them for ads, promotional pieces, product sheets, websites, and more. Let’s get to it… more power… heh!
Go to class page
PWD: ProductRocks
04: Consumer Electronics
Due January 30, 2021
Whether it be phones or audio or camera, there are a lot of consumer items in this genre. Let’s take a look at some of the work and find ways to create shots of these nearly ubiquitous pieces of personal gear.
05: Packaging
Due February 6, 2021
Sometimes the product is the packaging itself, and sometimes the packaging is a separate entity. Regardless, much design consideration and marketing metrics go into that package that we see. Keeping an eye out for the designer of the packaging will make you a hero in this business as well.
06: Home Appliances
Due February 13, 2021
This is a big niche, folks. Everything from hot rollers to washing machines. The home appliance space is heating up with the new smart devices as well as robotics. This is a growing industry.
07 Fragrances
Due February 20, 2021
Fragrances represent a big niche in the product category. Not only are they a lucrative arena, there are also thousands of small, boutique companies all through the world that make fragrances or similar products. Creating portfolio images of beautifully sculpted bottles will expand your visibility.
08: COSMETICS
Due February 27, 2021
This will be a very exciting last module. The colors, textures, and packaging of cosmetics lend themselves to exciting and dramatic images. Be careful with costs though… it can be expensive to destroy.
