New Camera Advice

[Doofus]

Yes, that's right; it's a 'what car?' thread.

I am a very amateur photographer. I have tried to learn, and even posted on here about the subject, but none of the knowledge will stay in my head. I suspect that whilst I want to be interested in the technicalities, I'm just not.

Right. Now that I've alienated everyone, I need some advice please. I need a camera for product shots. I use a professional photographer for proper studio work, and for room mock-ups featuring my products, but I have the need, from time to time, to take simple product (pack) shots for the website.

Are there any specific technical specificatons I need to be looking for, or will any decent camera produce high-quality shots in this scenario? I have a large lightbox/tent thing (I used to have a roll of white paper to create seamless backdrops), and I already have a tripod and a lamp. The question is; can I go with a decent bridge camera, or do I really need DSLR? I appreciate that it's a very open-ended question, but I don't really know what technical specs the best camera for this environment will have.

I couod ask my professonal snapper, but I know he will blind me with science, and I'll end up looking at around £2k.

[Doofus]

Thanks all

I guess the changeable lenses thing was the question I should have been asking, and that would have led me sraight to dslr.

The products are small white goods, essentially. Not particularly shiny, or complex; I just want clear expandable thumbnails for the webshop. There are some textiles too, and close ups of the fabric would be useful.

When I weigh up the cost of the equipment and the numbers of new products, I'll probably find that I'm better off getting someone local to do the shots for me, of course...

[Doofus]

Simpo Two said:

White goods on a white background will be fun! Not impossible but a good chance to practice your lighting, exposure and retouching skills.

I mean 'white goods' in terms of appliances, not the colour whire Or do I need a parrot?

I have the spare time - this is very much a semi-retirement business, and I have no intention of working as hard as I have in the past. However, as I said above, I'm not sure I have the patience to learn, and I suspect it might get complicated.

The shots do need to look professional - this is a retail and wholesale business. Transparent backgrounds probably not required. I have thumbnails which enlarge when clicked on, and in some cases, can then be zoomed further.

[Doofus]

Thank you. I'll do some costing up.

[Doofus]

Simpo Two said:

Well, most fridges, freezers, washing machines and dishwashers are white (good luck with the chrome stuff!)

I can get perfect white b/gs but don't use the PS pen tool, nor blast the b/g out. Point is, experiment and develop your own methods. If you want to copy a 'look', eg the John Lewis photos, look at the lighting and reverse engineer it. I can't emphasise how important lighting is.

Oh FFS.

They. Are. Not. White.

OK?

in fact, they are a variety of colours, except white. Ivory, maybe, and ,any others besides, but never white.