360-Product Photography Specialist Tutorial

The 360 product photography is fast replacing traditional methods of catalogue photography. As the market for online products grows, the demand for product photography is also increasing.

Since most of the companies have online presence, unique product photography is used by a number of companies to attract customers. In fact, the 360-degree photography has become the main marketing technique for most of the online businesses.

Unlike the traditional two dimensional product photographs, 360-degree photography displays the products from all 360 degrees. In the past many vendors were reluctant to embrace this technology, as they are very slow to load. But with increasing broadband speeds the loading of the images has also become fast thus pushing the usage of 360 product photography. Advanced image technology has also shrunk the size of image files to 1MB allowing fast loading in the browser.

One thing to keep in mind is that, 360 degree images are not useful for all sorts of products. For example, seeing a cornflake box pack from 360 degrees will not give any special message, but looking at a camera or a car from all sides surely adds to the visual appeal. Since the cost of incorporating 360 degree images is on the higher side, businesses need to decide whether the additional cost for having 360 degree images is really worth it. 360 degree images allow the visitor to rotate the photographs to all sides, right, left, bottom and top. So the visitor is able to view the product from all its sides and also gives a clearer picture of the product one is planning to buy.

Let’s assume a situation to better explain the differences between the traditional images and the 360 degree ones. Let’s assume that a person is planning to buy a camera online. His search has shortlisted on two websites, which sells products online. Let’s also assume that, the first one has all the images in 2 dimensions, while the second one has 360 images of all the listed products. Now when the visitor visits the first sit, he sees a number of images of cameras along with the functionality listed below. Let’s assume he decides to buy a camera of brand A from the first site. Now as a second thought, he visits the second site and sees the 360 degree image of the camera of the same brand. He can see the camera from all sides and also see the different options available on the camera. The visitor will most probably buy from the second site as it gives greater details of the images of the camera. The 360 degree image also allows the buyer to thoroughly see the product before purchase, thus leaving any chances of disappointment.

By now everyone have known that the conventional product photography improves the sale of the online store, but the provision of 360 degree images boosts the customer satisfaction. Another thing to keep in mind is that not all products require 360 degree images.

Understanding Commercial Photography Studio Management Software

In today’s fast paced world commercial photography studio management software has become a necessity for the professional photographers. Since most professional photographers own proprietary firms with a small staff, they frequently face the problem of resources while delivering the final photos to the client.

Although innovations in the photography industry have reduced the work burden, there is still scope for improvement. Some innovations such as the Photoshop software and other photo editing software have made the work of creation quite easy. The launch of commercial photography studio management software has enabled the photographers to streamline their business operations in a professional way. This software helps in the management of data of different clients and saves valuable time. Nowadays a number of companies have launched studio management software. While considering such software, make sure that it has the following features.

The first one is the contact and calendaring tools. For any business to flourish marketing and lead generation are important. It is essential to properly manage all the contacts to get a leap ahead of the competition. For instance, most of the commercial photography studio software programs offer a system for input of leads and their classification. Some also allow scheduling for follow ups and other advanced features. Any software, which can seamlessly combine the calendar tool along with the scheduling tool, will boost the efficiency of the business.

The inclusion of finance tools is also important as most photographers are engrossed in the art of taking photographs and most of the times ignore the financial aspects of the work. Any business in which the financial domain is not properly checked or is ignored then surely the business will be doomed. Any studio management software should offer a set of specific finance tools, which allow tracking of all the financial data. Some of the essential tools include basic accounting tools to track revenue and expense, along with other tools for creating invoices and receipts. Some studio management software also includes the ability to make detailed proposals and financial estimates for the prospective clients.

Another important feature of this type of software is project and client management facility. It is a known fact that most of the financially successful photographers are not that good in terms of photography skills and most of the highly skilled photographers are not financially successful. The reason for this is that financially successful photographer managed his finances well, while the highly skilled photographer may not be able to manage his finances. The client and project management feature of the studio management software allows the skilled photographer to concentrate on the art of photography leaving the work of client and finance management with the software.  

Some studio management software allows photo and gallery storage. Some online software platforms such as Flickr and Shutterbug allow photographers to create photo galleries and store photos. Other photography studio management software not only allows the creation and storage of galleries but also allow sharing with clients. Other tools to look for in any studio management software include financial record, lead tracking, lead generation tools, web site builders and referral tools.

7 Lucky Tips for Catalog Photography

Catalog photography depends on high quality photographs for selling the products, be it the online version or the traditional paper version.

Today’s digital cameras have technology which allows even amateurs to take good quality pictures, although they are not always as perfect as those clicked by professional commercial photographers. Professionals have expertise and experience of many years, which allows them to snap breathtaking images. Most of the professionals follow these 7 lucky tips for catalog photography

Tip 1: The lighting

The light in the background is one of the most important aspects of commercial photography. Photographers use light to bring the fine points of the object and also adds mood to an image. The catalog photos are not only meant to be informative, but they should also attract the prospective buyers. These images should evoke a positive emotion for a customer and elicit an "I must have this" approach. Although bright light boosts the detail of the image, it may at times also wash out the whole image. Another important thing to keep in mind while using bright light is the direction of the light and the corresponding presence or absence of shadows.

While the photographic lights are white, the natural light have tones of yellow or red depending on its source. Many professional photographers use color filters to change the quality of light and to make it appear more natural.

Tip 2: Zoom on the details

Since catalog customers cannot see the products from a close range, they are unable to observe the high quality of the products on display if proper zooming is not used. Every successful catalog includes a number of views of the object allowing the shoppers to get a better idea of the product from all sides before buying. Close up photographs allows the vendor to highlight the special features of the product. Close up photography is easier said than done. Commercial photographers typically use a technique called macro photography, which reproduces fine details of the object with perfect clarity. Most of the cameras available in the market have the macro setting, but getting the effective catalog photos requires patience and practice.

Tip 3: the composition

Taking a photo with a neutral background makes the viewer focus on the subject only. Busy backgrounds or cluttered pictures are often distracting, but carefully selected items in the background enhance the catalog images and make the product more attractive.

Tip 4: Master Rotation Luke!

It is advisable not to rotate the polarizer to full effect. It is better to find the right quantity of polarization to enhance certain images

Tip 5: the framing

Sometimes simple compositions work better with products. It is advisable to avoid shooting from odd angles as well.

Tip 6: Add your stamp

After completing the technicalities, it is advisable to add the photographer’s stamp in the photo to get unique images. It is always better to get a good selection rather than re-shooting the picture.

Tip 7: Post process   

The post process is as important as the shoot itself. Some minor problems, such as low lights can be taken care of before finalizing.

Challenges in the Commercial Market for a Product Photographer

Product photographers are the specialized persons who possess expertise in certain typical areas like travel, cosmetics etc. where the product photography is said to be the backbone of the business.

Realizing the fact the product photography is though available for almost all the fields yet availed by a very few industries, the persons engaged in such a profession have to face certain unique and genuine challenges pertaining to their business.

The profession demands a high level of concentration, dedication and focus oriented persons and it is natural once a person equips with all of these he would look forward to get his work properly rewarded as well as compensated.

The first and foremost problem or challenge which a product photographer faces is that whom to approach for selling or getting associated with in furtherance of his work, because underestimation, less valuation are few of the initial fear in the mind of a product photographer. This problem can be combated while making a campaign-based study and analysis of the market and the players thereof.

Secondly, once you get a client the next thing which would strike is that what pictures would be purchased by the prospective buyer and also how much would he be paying for that and would that be enough to square his efforts while clicking particular product snap. This is one of the most common challenges faced by product photographers and this can be handled by categorizing your work in different classes such as indoor pictures, outdoor pictures etc. this would give the client a positive impression as to seriousness in work and dedication thereto.

Your path in the product photography gets much easier once you start making clients. The best way to maintain clients and utilizing them for your benefit is to regularly visit them and also noting down their need at particular point of time and also to supply them as per their need. This is dual beneficial approach where your clients remain satisfied with you and at the same time you might also be recommended for others as well.

Putting your pictures into a collective exhibition or individual one as per your convenience is a nice option to establish a client list and accordingly redeeming it for yourself. Exhibitions are the place where only true lovers of art come down and show their interest in quality work. It opens gate of opportunities for you, as these people either hire you or would refer your work to someone who actually can see and redeem your work.

The problems or challenges for the time being might prevail even after applying the above mentioned solutions, the ultimate solutions remain is that to advertise yourself and make available your pictures to the world. A healthy help may be taken from the local newspapers, local business websites and other yellow pages services. Even if it doesn’t bring clients to you but it would definitely bring your name and work into the eyes of the masses.

At the same time, it is also to be promulgated that you should keep yourself updated and well equipped with latest techniques so as to remain in the hunt for success. These challenges are never permanent in nature; they come to you, test you and leave you with experiences.

Pattern Pulp, the Latest in Product Photography

Though in its inception age, the pattern pulp photography is aiming towards an all new future of product photography.

The usual practice of product photography is now going through transition phase where the old ideas and patterns are either replaced or being modified in collaboration of newly advanced and next generation technologies. Gone out the days when a traditional and orthodox approach was adopted in product photography. Meaning thereby, putting the product in the center then clicking it from different locations, verticals and horizontals and mixing them up under different color combination and at the end calling a meeting of the clients and voting as to which is the best suitable combination and how would it be pleasing for the customers.

Today, while the customers are riding the storm of market, once you decide to incorporate product photography for your product, it becomes irresistible for you to opt for the most recent and updated technology for your product.

Now days we have certain very advanced and technical photography methods are being used, such as white background product photography and then comes the newly born baby of The Pattern Pulp Studio New York called the Pattern Pulp Photography.

This kind of photography ensures that the subject product gets a full coverage and at the same time it should look as much impressive as it can to the customer. Basically it can be said that the Pattern Pulp Photography is mixture of multi dimensional art like 2D and 3D and of certain creative concepts.  The pattern pulp photography has just started to see the light of the day and accordingly we can expect certain new developments into it.

Creativity is at best when we observe and begin to see the pattern pulp pictures. Here, in this kind of product photography the product is not held by the model, it’s the environment which is created around the product while using certain different products and then uniting them under one ongoing concept. Suppose, we have to do the pattern pulp photography for a shoe product, what we will be doing is that not to make a model wear those shoes and make him a do a catwalk, or portraying him to be a handsome hunk once he wears those shoes, rather, unlike this kind of approach the pattern pulp photographer shall click one or more pictures of the shoe in its simplest form but at the same time he will put one or two bananas, one pot full of mud  to show the actual gripping power of the product as well genuineness of material used in the product so that it does not get vanished in mud.

This is how; we see that pattern pulp photography is operated through a well thought over combination of concepts and technology; in the above illustrated example it’s not necessary that we put a real banana or muddy pot, rather it can be done through  2D or 3D art.

To conclude it can be said that the future of product photography lies in the pattern pulp photography as it preserves the scope for a talented photographer as well as an emerging 2D or 3D artist.