Product Photography Tips

BFCTom · 7 Feb 2010 at 13:17

Hi,

I've had my Sony a300 (only have the kit lens) for a while now but not used it as much as I'd have liked. Pretty much stick to Auto mode (I know!)...

Now I've got a client who's wanting some photos taking of a selection of his products to put on his website.

The products in question are dog treats in shiny plastic packets - how would I go about achieveing the best shots (both in and out of the packaging).

I'm really not that clued up on photography so you'll have to go easy on me!

Thanks for any pointers

peterattheboro · 7 Feb 2010 at 13:20

Google DIY lightbox and start from there

mcc49 · 7 Feb 2010 at 13:32

As above- DIY Lightbox, tripod, ISO 100, Av mode with ~F8 and shoot. Tweak if neccessary.

BFCTom · 7 Feb 2010 at 13:37

Cheers, I'll do some googling.

I don't really want to invest a lot in buying other equipment (read as I have nothing but the camera and kit lens) as I'm really only doing it as a favour. I've explained to him that photography isn't my forte but I happen to have a DSLR.

mcc49 · 7 Feb 2010 at 13:42

Lightbox is cheap to make, ask your friend to fund it if youre doing him a favour. Its literally a cardboard box lined with white paper with a lightsource shining through it. You can always substitute a tripod with a stack of books

BFCTom · 7 Feb 2010 at 13:47

mcc49 said:
Lightbox is cheap to make, ask your friend to fund it if youre doing him a favour. Its literally a cardboard box lined with white paper with a lightsource shining through it. You can always substitute a tripod with a stack of books

Sounds right up my alley (IE cheap!). I'll have a go at making the lightbox over the next couple of days. Books will definitely be used as a tripod also

It's an actual client (I'm a web designer/developer) who asked me if I had a camera - I just don't think he wants to fork out for professional shots, so I told him I'll have a try.

Namistai · 7 Feb 2010 at 14:24

Consider using a cross-polariser to reduce glare from the plastic packaging.

ChazHurst · 7 Feb 2010 at 17:45

I made a lightbox a while ago, to take shots of things I sell on ebay.

Here's the box:

click for instructions!

Here's a link to a set of pictures I've done with it

...and I use an a300 too

P_A_N_I_C · 7 Feb 2010 at 17:54

you can buy the kind of thing you want from charlie chaplins, £20 i think or £30 with 2 lights. someone posted about one here a couple of months back. pretty but still more than the home made jobbie

Simian · 8 Feb 2010 at 14:07

P_A_N_I_C said:
you can buy the kind of thing you want from charlie chaplins, £20 i think or £30 with 2 lights. someone posted about one here a couple of months back. pretty but still more than the home made jobbie

That were me!!..

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18095258&highlight=username_simian

Here's Some More!!..

BFCTom · 8 Feb 2010 at 14:51

After scouring the house for a suitable cardboard box, I thought **** it and went to "Charlie Chaplins" for the one Simian has.

Just about to set it up now and have a play. Total photography noob so should be a laugh at least - I'll let you know how I get on.

Simian · 8 Feb 2010 at 15:15

Didn't know it came from the 'Hi-De-Hi' holiday camp!.. mate of mine bought it for me Birthday/Crimbo prezzie

Good Luck with your shots... they're great for insurance shots and decent piccies for selling stuff on't Bay!..

Post some back as soon as you've had a play!!

BFCTom · 8 Feb 2010 at 15:38

First few shots, remember I'm a total noob when it comes to photography. Only settings I've used is auto no flash ISO 100.

I'm slightly disappointed there are only blue and grey back drop things - here were my first shot:

I thought that were a bit grey, so tried laying some paper under the subject and came up with this:

Slightly better but still needs improvement. I've not retouched these in anyway either yet, maybe a possibility?

I guess I better start with these dog treats

Oh and yes my iPhone has been dropped! On many occasion

peterattheboro · 8 Feb 2010 at 15:47

You need to light up the subject more. Even if it's using lamps/torches etc.

BFCTom · 8 Feb 2010 at 15:50

peterattheboro said:
You need to light up the subject more. Even if it's using lamps/torches etc.

I'm trying to think what else I could use as I've only got the two lamps that came with the kit to hand.

Are there any better settings I could be using on my camera?

peterattheboro · 8 Feb 2010 at 15:57

You could use a higher iso or use a slower shutter speed (with tripod of course).

P_A_N_I_C · 8 Feb 2010 at 16:05

i saw in the pack it only had blue and grey background aswell, seems weird that there is no white ??? guess you could stick a white cloth of some sort in there.

BFCTom · 8 Feb 2010 at 16:09

tbh the stuff I'm photographing is pretty small so will fit on a sheet of A4, I'm just gonna do that. What does he expect doing it for free ha!

It's definitely an improvement on anything I could have done without the kit, so I guess it is worth it for a quick fix solution like I needed.

ScarySquirrel · 8 Feb 2010 at 17:00

I did some product shots using a large piece of A1 paper from at art shop, a large softbox overhead and another flash gridded to the right. It worked reasonably well. Please excuse the crap setup picture.

asim18 · 8 Feb 2010 at 17:02

For white objects, it would be better if you used a black backdrop. You won't be able to get a nice white background without over exposing the object if you're photographing white things (like a highly reflective iPhone). If you expose for the phone, the background will come out grey, if you expose to get the background pure white, the phone will be over exposed.

Also the white balance seems a bit off. It's blue-ish on the left side and orangey on the right. Use matching lights and pre-measure the WB using your camera.

You may want to try focus stacking your pictures. When photographing small/long things (like mobile phones) it's difficult to get the whole thing in focus.