Learning photography

darreny · 24 Feb 2014 at 18:13

Hi, quick history of me then my questions.
I'm 43 and currently self employed as a joiner/cabinet maker, whether this is down to the recession or cheap imported furniture it's never really taken off. So I feel I want to put a plan b in place by retraining for the next 2 yrs looking at product photography.

With the sheer amount of guides on YouTube and the internet in General and with a few camera clubs in my area is this timeframe possible? I also would happily give my time helping photographers for free to gain any knowledge needed.

Is it worth buying something like a canon 7d now probably second hand from mbp or getting an older 40d maybe to learn the ropes then move full frame in a couple of years time?

Anything I learn can also help with the current business so it's not throwing money away.

Thank you for any replies and advice

mattyg · 24 Feb 2014 at 19:34

There's nothing stopping you from learning product photography.

But what makes you think you'll make money from it.

If it was that easy everyone would be doing it.

What area are you based in

darreny · 24 Feb 2014 at 20:05

Don't know if I could make money from it, it's something that could benefit my current business and could also be a plan b.

I live in Derbyshire

Raymond Lin · 24 Feb 2014 at 20:50

I would set the bar at using it to take stock photos of your product to save money and business promotion.

If it grows into something else, bonus.

darreny · 24 Feb 2014 at 21:38

And what about camera choice?

Raymond Lin · 24 Feb 2014 at 21:44

Camera choice is not really that big a difference here, product photography is a controlled environment, you are using base ISO, you are controlling the lighting, everything is static. If it is mainly for web use then a big high res D800 file is not really needed.

So yes, a 7D would work just fine. What you need to invest more on is the set up, the backdrop, the lighting, and depending what you are shooting, the Kit lens might even work.

darreny · 24 Feb 2014 at 22:07

Thanks for replies. Some of my products like doors and gates I find hard to photograph due to size and leaving my workshop in an unfinished state so I more focus on quality of construction

Raymond Lin · 24 Feb 2014 at 23:07

perhaps you can photograph the doors and gate after they have been installed, that would require you to do a little networking with the customer, ask them if you mind coming over to take a photo perhaps. Not as difficult as you think, you don't even need to step inside their house in theory.

Admiral Huddy · 25 Feb 2014 at 10:52

Check you local college or Adult Learning Centers for courses which aren't that expensive. Most will start recruiting for September about June/July. I'm currently on the foundation year which cost me £295 for two terms, every Thursday for 3 hours and I love it.

The course covers basic photography and image manipulation. The aim is to produce a portfolio to gain access to years 2 and 3 which are full 3 terms.

I've held off buying anything too expensive for the time being. I thought I'd get to year 2 before deciding where this is going so I've stuck with Canon 700d and invested in some medium end lenses. My thinking is I can always upgrade at any time and this stuff holds good value anyway so it's a no brainer.

I don't think it's worth buying any serious equipment until you know for sure this is for you and you've decided what type of photography interests you too. We also covered a lot about lenses on the course which made buying easier rather than going in blind.