Product photography help (Photoshop)

steve_c · 13 Aug 2015 at 13:49

Hi guys

I was wondering if I could get some advice from the experts on this board...

I usually take product photography with a backlit background.

I have noticed some sites which make use of a shadow under the product which fades into white.

This is my start image:

This is the kind of end result I am looking for:

I am a novice with PhotoShop but can follow basic instructions.

I'd be very grateful for any help or advice.

Thanks in advance as usual.

Raymond Lin · 13 Aug 2015 at 14:27

Your composition is wrong for a start but exposure wise you are almost there.

greedy123 · 13 Aug 2015 at 14:52

I don't think it's a photoshop issue, more a lighting position issue.

From what I can tell, the example shot has a straight on key light and a rim light to the right. There's also a fill light being used to illuminate the background which is bouncing onto the top of the tie. The combination of the three is what is casting the shadow I think you're after.

steve_c · 13 Aug 2015 at 15:05

Hi guys

Many thanks for the replies.

So the sample image I have given you is not altered in PS at all?

The background is pure white (#ffffff) until the shadow.

Thanks

greedy123 · 13 Aug 2015 at 15:12

Oh right, sorry I didn't follow what you were after.

It's just a case of adjusting the curves in photoshop.
Image> Adjustments> Curves

Need to bring the white point down.

http://williambeem.com/high-key-post-processing-in-two-easy-steps/

steve_c · 13 Aug 2015 at 15:28

I had no idea it was that easy...

That is absolutely fantastic.

I'm nearly there:

The only problem is that the colour of the tie itself changes slightly.

Can I mask that part off?

Thanks again!

steve_c · 13 Aug 2015 at 15:36

I figured it out.

I quick selected the tie (not the shadow).
Select Inverse
Layer > New Adjustment Layer
Colour-Pick the white to set white balance:

greedy123 · 13 Aug 2015 at 16:03

good job!

jasonsony735 · 14 Aug 2015 at 13:05

The photos have been edited in light room or Photoshop to make the whites white !

And to get that sort of photo the light source is coming from above and the camera is shooting at a low angle.

Very simple too do , its all about practice

steve_c · 14 Aug 2015 at 14:02

jasonsony735 said:
The photos have been edited in light room or Photoshop to make the whites white !

And to get that sort of photo the light source is coming from above and the camera is shooting at a low angle.

Very simple too do , its all about practice

Hi yes I was aware it was edited. I was trying to find out how to have the shadow fading to a perfect white, while leaving the shadow relatively intact.

I have described how I achieved it above, just in case it helps someone else.

Thanks

hughtrimble · 14 Aug 2015 at 14:06

There's a white speck in between the two white dots, fourth 'row' up, and another just below the seventh, so the tie looks a tad dirty.