WELCOME TO PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY
WE BEGIN FEBRUARY 19, 2025
NOTE:
Our first live class / webinar is on February 19, 2025 (Wednesday @ 6 PM Pacific). This is an overview meeting and no image is due. Because of this, the class is actually nine (9) Wednesdays in a row.
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-and-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
Creating powerful 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?
There will be a link to a private Facebook Class here on the first meeting.
This is the Project 52 Pro FB group, and it is vibrant and fun.
WORKSHOP SIGN UP
FEE: $165
First Class February 19, 2025 (Wednesday)
Class meeting time is 6 PM Pacific.
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.
The Assignments will involve these types of table-top product photography.
1. Consumer Bottles (Shampoo, etc)
2. Men’s and Women’s Shoes
3. Power Tools
4. Consumer Electronics
5. Packaging… the product and the box it came in
6. Small Home Appliance
7. Fragrance (perfume and cologne)
8. Cosmetics (Men and Women’s)
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:
Will be delivered a week ahead of the class.
All images must be uploaded by 10 AM on the day of the class meeting. No Exceptions please.
01: Consumer Bottle Product
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.
