"product photos" lighting & flash

[s a m]

Question is in the title really – the SB800.

I have a D70, relatively new to the world of photography but keen – and constantly striving for better more professional looking pictures.

A lot of what I have been working on is doing photos of products for my own, and customers websites – so setting up the item like a car head lamp bulb, head unit, speakers etc on a white background and snapping away.

I have found that obviously the best light is natural, but if not available, using the in-built flash is far better than covering the article in filament bulbs (angle lamps).

I get a some over exposed areas on shiny metal and plastics, where the flash bounces back… so this has presented a problem. How do I light the article and avoid shadows but without having the flash on max so it makes big white blobs?

Should I invest in a decent speed light, and mound this at different angles and use filters to get better shots? Or am I wrong about this completely. Using the in-built flash also creates shadows.

I am also keen to get better in-door photos of people, like shots at a family wedding (coming up early this year) and just general stuff. Some people said I should get a flash after seeing the Max Power photos I posted last month, so I think that’s another reason.




I have used the Magic Wand to delete the background, and turned up the contrast a little, as you can see there are a couple of over exposed metal bits. I am really going for the "crisp white" floating look with a bright white background.

Thanks – sorry for long post.

[parrot of doom]

Well, the problem is basically with photography you're trying to create a 3d illusion from a 2d object. When using a flash mounted above the lens, you can't really do this to great effect.

You need to think more about modelling the object you're shooting.

Try using indirect diffuse sources of light, reflective white card, foil, etc. Don't use the flash unless you need a bit of light to 'fill' the object. Try getting a white piece of gauze, perhaps a white stocking, and covering the flash to soften its light.

I'd suggest getting 3 lights, one to be used as a backlight (to highlight edges and the general shape), one as a keylight (the primary source of light), and one as a fill (to fill in the shadows). Use diffuser on all of them, to soften the edges of the shadows.

Go into your local photographic shop (not Jessops), and ask to see what they have.

If its just for the occasional use, a really cheap way is just to buy 3 worklights from B&Q, a bit of CTB gel, some diffuser, and bob's your uncle. You're putting it through photoshop anyway so you have freedom to get the white balance right.

[Bee_Jay]

Have a look at the Lastolite "e-photomaker" - not tried one myself, but it looks just the job for you...

look under Photographic, Lighting, Lastolite here: www.warehouseexpress.com

Joe.

[s a m]

Warehouse Express said:

The E Photomaker is designed to ensure product photographs are well lit and professional looking, eliminating the need for time-consuming re-touching. The E Photomaker takes just seconds to set up, and is very easy to use even if you have little or no photographic knowledge. The E Photomaker softens an ordinary domestic angle poise light by diffusing the light through one side and a built in reflector fills in the light from the other, providing a shadow free environment. The ‘infinity curve’ of the E Photomaker provides a natural background and consistent background to all your products. www.warehouseexpress.com/photo/studio_lighting/lastolite.html#EPhoto Small £49.99 Large £79.99

This looks good, thanks Bee_Jay.

I wouldn’t be using a flash with this would I, just a normal lamp.

I am seriously thinking about getting this, looks like its the answer to most of the problems I am having have any of the other photographers got any comments about it, is it a good buy?

Are there any good alternatives?

Just out of interest, I like their photo - that’s the look I want, the white "no background" style, how did they get this? Using a studio system?

[Bee_Jay]

I haven't tried it, but I would try with and without flash, may get some interesting results - the benefit of digital is you can try as much as you like for no cost !!!

In answer to your previous post, for weddings/family shots etc - get a decent external flash - worth their weight in gold...

[s a m]

Thanks mate, its all so complicated with far too many options to choose from… I cant really afford to go for the wrong one.

Any other “product photography” tips would be gratefully received, any ideas as to what keywords to use when searching google – is there a proper name/term for this type of photography?

[joust]

Have a look at these two threads

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=130096
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=142095

J

[Ian_H]

A cheaper option for table top studio is this from Maplin



http://maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=38260&TabID=1&source=15&WorldID=&doy=4m1


Currently at £14.99


Cheers
Ian

[s a m]

Looks good thanks, but its not a white background (unless I am missing something) and has it got the shadow elimination? The description on the site doesn’t mention it but that’s a much better price compared to the other one.

[Ian_H]

s a m said:

Looks good thanks, but its not a white background (unless I am missing something) and has it got the shadow elimination? The description on the site doesn’t mention it but that’s a much better price compared to the other one.

I have just found this thread http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17346690 on another forum, it may give you a bit more information about the Maplin studio


Cheers
Ian