Photographing electrical items

[seandudding]

Guys

I am about to start a new online venture that see's me selling some electrical items online. I will need profesional shots of these items, what is the best way to do it?? There are about 10 items and will need pictures of them on a plain backgroud.

I have the camera etc, but not sure how best to do it on a plain background.

Of course if anyone on here can do it for me, I can pay them with an evening track day at Bedford?? I can't supply the car though

Hopefully you'll understand what I'm talking about.

Cheers Sean

[simpo two]

Hi Sean. A simple start would be to put a table against a wall, get some white backing paper and drape it from the wall over the table so you get a nice curve. Then you'll need some lighting. I'm certainly not an expert in this area but find that two lights placed at 45 degrees each side is a good start. Then look at the shadows and juggle accordingly, soften by bouncing the light, use white card as a reflector etc.

I'm considering upgrading my own lighting from tungsten (available light) to flash so if you're interested in a 2x500W tungsten set-up perhaps we can do a deal.

NB If you get stuck you can bring the stuff here and I'll do it for PH rates. Not into trackdays though.

>> Edited by simpo two on Tuesday 31st January 13:51

[Andrew Noakes]

Do it outdoors. Ideally you want a day when the light is bright but there's plenty of white cloud in the sky - then you get a nice, even, diffuse light without worrying about lights or flash.

Remember if you use a white background the camera will probably underexpose by a stop or two.

[Mr Noble]

Just find the products on-line and rob the pictures.






That'll be one trackday please!

Greg




PS. Simpo's table idea would work fine with a white cotton sheet too. But paper is better. If you go to your local pro photography store (like KP) they will have big rolls of paper and "soft lights" that you can put over lamps to soften their glow.

[ehasler]

You could buy something like this - around £50, or you can make up your own background with a sheet or two of paper. You should be able to get an idea of how to set everything up from the ready-made tables here - if you don't have a flash gun, then a desk lamp or two and a sheet of white paper to act as a reflector will do the trick.

[crmcatee]

I think it would depend upon how big an item you're thinking of selling.. if it's like electronics the table option is good. If it's fridges etc different ballgame.

Some bluetac, a roll of neutral coloured paper (white or black) and the table against the wall trick with the paper at the top of the wall, draped down and running off the end of the table.

Light source on one side or even overhead, and possibly a reflector on the other side should see you getting decent snaps.

Given that you're going to be selling them I'm guessing this is on the web where quality of image probably isn't really that important

[seandudding]

Thanks Guys, as I don;t want to waste days of trial and error doing it, Simpo two has kindly agreed to help me out. Hopefully I will learn something from him and in future be able to have a go myself.

Cheers Sean