Photography things- a good backgound

[theironduke]

Right, I'm totally inept and unskilled with snapping and want to pick the brains of people with some knowledge!

I make a sell bits and pieces, notable tables made from old engine blocks. Now I photograph them myself with my half decent camera but a friend of mine is building me a new website so I thought I'd do some fresh pictures.

Now at the minute I have a piece of white material as a background/base. This works ok but looks a bit meh. Now I haven't got lots of cash to spend but I was thinking of building a 3 sided (base and two sides) backdrop which I could use. Do you guys have any suggestions of what to make it from? I was thinking a frame with material or out of plywood. Question is colour, best to stick with white..or..?

Open to suggestions and thoughts, thanks!

[MartinP]

If this is your main income and given your opening sentence, then how about employing a pro to take some fantastic shots that will really show your products off at their very best? There's nothing like poor photography to make a website look cheap and low end.

Rather than plain background, how about shots of them in a smart living room?

If this really has to be done on the cheap, then how about a roll of white background paper or vinyl (take a look at the studio backgrounds section of www.wexphotographic.com ) and rig up a support in your workshop. It will be much better than the white cloth you use at the moment as you won't have all those creases to deal with.

[theironduke]

MartinP said:

If this is your main income and given your opening sentence, then how about employing a pro to take some fantastic shots that will really show your products off at their very best? There's nothing like poor photography to make a website look cheap and low end.

Rather than plain background, how about shots of them in a smart living room?

If this really has to be done on the cheap, then how about a roll of white background paper or vinyl (take a look at the studio backgrounds section of www.wexphotographic.com ) and rig up a support in your workshop. It will be much better than the white cloth you use at the moment as you won't have all those creases to deal with.

Thanks for the input.

Just been looking at backgrounds now. I've got a friend coming to do some pictures (decent kit and knowledge) was just looking to get a background sorted. Also good shout on "borrowing" a suitable room!



This is an example of my current set up. I was thinking of colours for a backdrop and I think anything other than white will either be too distracting or "drown" some of the detail, i.e. black and the pistons for example.

[MartinP]

Yes, I'd stick with white if going for a plain background.

[Simpo Two]

You're also going to have to consider decent lighting - the above example is dreadful.

[theironduke]

Simpo Two said:

You're also going to have to consider decent lighting - the above example is dreadful.

As I said, I'm not a photographer!

[Simpo Two]

Well, going back to what Martin P said... I can't plaster ceilings so when I needed some ceilings plastered I got a plasterer in. It's your business, your image, your future income - so doesn't it deserve more than a crumpled sheet and a 100W lamp?

[theironduke]

Simpo Two said:

Well, going back to what Martin P said... I can't plaster ceilings so when I needed some ceilings plastered I got a plasterer in. It's your business, your image, your future income - so doesn't it deserve more than a crumpled sheet and a 100W lamp?

Yep, hence asking about it here! I wasn't being arsey with you, sorry if it came over than way.

[Janesy B]

If this is a one off thing, get a pro in. If you're doing it frequently, invest a bit of money in lighting and a plain background. Plenty of guides online on product photography.

[Simpo Two]

theironduke said:

Yep, hence asking about it here! I wasn't being arsey with you, sorry if it came over than way.

Not at all

But if you're trying to get from where you are now to being able to take good photos of your products, I think you have a long and relatively expensive road to travel. And then you have to consider - 'Do I want to spend hours/days and hundreds/thousands learning how to be a photographer, or do I want to spend that time doing what I'm good at and what I enjoy most which is making and selling engine block tables and making money?'

People can give you advice here on what to do, but really, you need the right kit and the flying hours too.

[theironduke]

Simpo Two said:

theironduke said:

Yep, hence asking about it here! I wasn't being arsey with you, sorry if it came over than way.

Not at all

But if you're trying to get from where you are now to being able to take good photos of your products, I think you have a long and relatively expensive road to travel. And then you have to consider - 'Do I want to spend hours/days and hundreds/thousands learning how to be a photographer, or do I want to spend that time doing what I'm good at and what I enjoy most which is making and selling engine block tables and making money?'

People can give you advice here on what to do, but really, you need the right kit and the flying hours too.

Good post. Realistically I think my time will be better spent doing the latter. Think I need to look at costing somebody who knows how to get the best from my pieces to help. The more I think about it the more I think it'll be money well spend. The majority of people who have bought my items have commented how much better they look in the metal....now I've had some feedback here I think this is an area that needs attention! Also the cost of better photos which really show of the items could maybe be offset by a slight price increase if the comments I mentioned just now would reflect.

[Simpo Two]

theironduke said:

Also the cost of better photos which really show of the items could maybe be offset by a slight price increase

Or you could take the view that having smart photos will increase sales - and how many extra tables do you need to sell to pay for the photos...? Do some sums... in that respect it might be self-funding.

I don't think you'll get V8 engine blocks into my studio but you should be able to get a decent session for a few hundred pounds.

[theironduke]

Simpo Two said:

theironduke said:

Also the cost of better photos which really show of the items could maybe be offset by a slight price increase

Or you could take the view that having smart photos will increase sales - and how many extra tables do you need to sell to pay for the photos...? Do some sums... in that respect it might be self-funding.

I don't think you'll get V8 engine blocks into my studio but you should be able to get a decent session for a few hundred pounds.

Good point. Either way it'll definitely be an investment I think!

What are the things to look for when approaching a professional photographer?

(sorry to keep asking questions!)

[Bacardi]

theironduke said:

What are the things to look for when approaching a professional photographer?

If he may be interested in one of your tables to reduce costs and where abouts in the country is he in relation to you....

[Simpo Two]

That could work - you send Bacardi a free table and he sends you some great photos.

Probably with a scantily-clad woman on top too!

[The Moose]

What part of the world are you in?!

[Bacardi]

Simpo Two said:

Probably with a scantily-clad woman on top too!

That's an optional extra....

[tim-b]

theironduke said:

What are the things to look for when approaching a professional photographer?

Portfolio! If he/she has great photos of similar/relevant products in their portfolio you'd also be able to say 'I like this style' or 'less like this one and more like that' etc. when discussing what you want.

[theironduke]

M4FFU said:

I was watching one of those home-makeover programs this week (well, fiancée was - I was just about paying attention as it had Kirsty Allsopp in it) that featured one of the show's presenters turning a V8 into a table. If I was to buy one, I'd want to know what it looked like in a home environment, not just with a plain background behind it.

Have you thought about having them put in a well decorated living room and photographed?

Yep, my living room is in an old cottage with antiques and "heavy" furniture etc, need a nice big airy/modern room I think. I have got photos of tables in situ from customers which help give some context.

Location wise i'm in Worcester, just of J6 of the M5.

[theironduke]

The Moose said:

What part of the world are you in?!

Worcester, just south of Birmingham.