Create the Edge by Taking Product Shots with Monochrome Background

One must realize that when consumers see products splashed in print ads or on online portals, they cannot touch, feel, or taste them. It is the photograph, which has to communicate all of the above in the most convincing way.

If the photography makes the product look desirable, then it will certainly translate into a sale. Several tips and tricks can truly enhance the look and feel, as well as the production value of the picture of any item that needs to be sold online. The main point of focus is the subject, i.e. the product that will be purchased via the advertisement. First, make sure to have the subject meticulously cleaned and neat in appearance. For example if it is a cell phone, it cannot have fingerprints or scratches. A dress cannot have creases and folds. Cleaning is mandatory as under the lights dirt tends to gleam and dust sparkle.

The right background also makes a vast difference to make the visual more convincing. It is quite important to make seamless backdrop for the product to shine. When a full scene is created with a monochrome color the effect is total. There is no distraction to the main theme. In fact, many items are shot with this kind of backdrop to encourage sales. Today, the right shade of single color gives an edge to the vendor. It forms a brand identity for the product. The greatest example is the iconic Apple iPhone that is shot against the smooth and silk white, transparent background. All over the world it is admired and has sold billions of devices. This is definitely the work of a experienced product photographer. He knows how to create the edge by taking product shots with the monochrome background.

For close-ups shots of drinks, food, jewelry also the right background makes all the difference. A narrow depth of field works well for product shots as it provides emphasis on the subject. With the combination of the backdrop and the field depth, the shots can be taken. Blocking a continuous background for easy execution is popular among retailers. Preferably, a solid white or neutral grey works well. It is a simple implementation and the result looks professional and classy. If one is not working out of a professional photo studio with backgrounds draped from trusses, then a few rolls of craft paper, a couple of stands and some metal clamps will do the trick.

Backgrounds are the cornerstone of studio photography. There are several kind of craft papers that are also used to provide texture of matt, sheen or gloss. The setting allows the photographer to use several techniques and angles to capture the items digitally. Taking good and neat product shots is very important to advertisers and clients. For photographers to bag lucrative commercial photography jobs, it is important to be able to nail this aspect.

For the great sales, often a quick alteration of backdrop makes the difference. For instance shooting dresses of different sizes with monochrome backgrounds allows buyers to see clearly the color and choose according to their size or wallet. This is a very vital aspect that a canvas can permit the buyer to make the right choice. Nothing can go wrong with an online sale with such meticulous planning. 

Structural Anatomy of Professional Photography Studios

A photo studio is a space wherein professional photo shoots take place. Most are equipped with backdrops, professional shooting lights, grips and mounts.

A studio may have more than one shooting space. Based on requirement the photographer can choose a space and the client’s art director can decide the creative approach for the shoot. The photos need to mainly carry his camera and lens kit on the day of shoot, unless he is hiring that as well. Some studios have experienced in-house photographers. A typical photography shooting space consists of an expansive room with white bare walls. Ideally, the floor should be concrete and painted with industrial grade white paint. As most of the equipment is electrical, carpets and rugs are avoided in the floor space. Some studios are just warehouses. In there, fabric or acrylic backdrops are set up. The studio should not have a problem of outside lights slithering inside through windows, doors or crevices. This can affect lighting conditions severely and spoil the output.

Three umbrella lights or soft boxes can easily fit into a professional studio space. This is the average requirement light source, which create the continuous lighting ‘temperature’ for product shoots. You can adjust height of the lamp, tilt and swivel the light stands accordingly to your shot. Flash or strobe lights are activated with the remote. You can synchronize this with the shots with the configuration of the shutter button. This is all due to the IR sensor and the connectivity with wireless strobes. There are ring flashes available too which can put around the lens.

Studios will also be equipped with lots of extra lights, batteries, light tents, light stands, tripods, ladders, fans, extension chords and plug points for your use. There are also sturdy trusses (metal frames) in studios to suspend lights from above as well. Depending on the scale of the studio the number and the size will differ.

A stage area or raised platform may also exist in some shoot floors. Others will have acrylic or fabric backdrop suspended from trusses above and which can roll down and spread out across the floor. Studios may or may not supply reflectors, cutters, gel papers, butter papers, thermocol sheets, white balance card etc. These will also be charged in the total studio package.

It is always necessary for the client to visit the studio for race or do a virtual tour before the actual shoot. If he already works for the studio or owns it, then things are a lot easier. A good working environment is very important to deliver quality output. There can be no compromise with regard to the ambience, the facilities and the equipment at hand. To pull off a successful photo shoot studio conveniences are essential. It is important to have all the best resources to complement one’s talent. A proper studio with a professional set up and assistant / attendants can add a lot of production value.

In addition, apart from studio spaces, there are also photography firms that call themselves photography studios. This is another word for a photography agency as well. Therefore, while booking a studio shoot floor one must be sure of what one is booking.

Why Tailor Made Professional Photography is Worth the Expense?

Flexibility of digital pictures has prompted everyone to indulge in heavy equipment. Since only few make the grade, only custom made artworks are proving to be valuable.

In such a scenario is tailor made professional photography worth the expense for commercial or individual purposes? The fact that today a person taking photographs can manipulate the pixels and create designs is the driving force of the job. Professional photography is the answer why those pictures for online shopping carts look so stunning. If you are planning to launch your own online store, bypassing the digital image-taking world...is professional hara-kiri! All customized photos are costly but not just without a cause. The amount of hard work and technical equipment employed justify the pocket burning price tags.

The digital revolution has empowered the professionals to bring out masterpieces. The stunning quality of the product shots is often the result of image taking with awareness and post production technical support. New technologies are brought in to supplement the traditional challenges. While keeping a strong foot in originality of the art, professionals are resorting to latest techniques. They are able to fully control various factors during image taking process. The rest is taken care during the image editing according to the demands of the industry. With so much elasticity comes a cost.

Good quality digital camera equipment and accessories are heavy-duty investment. It is no secret that setting up a well-equipped studio with proper lighting arrangement, props and other technical support is costly. Professionals can be hired on hour basis or for a day or more. Good product shot need hours of experimentation and often several shots have to taken and edited before choosing the perfect one. A photographer may spend hours before he gets a hint of the client’s idea of perfection and the way he wants to portray his stuff online. A potential online buyer is likely to get hooked to the product’s attractive picture. It is different story for every product. The customized photos break new grounds each time so that there is no boredom even when the catalog is added with hundreds of pictures at a time.

The high cost associated with professional photography is associated with expensive equipment, their maintenance, the creative efforts, the studio setting, post production work and amount of valuable time and effort spent on each shot. More it if often teamwork, a photographer needs assistance of art directors and professionals who would help getting the right props and their arrangement. Along with all these factors there are several other constant expenses for running a professional photography business. Unless it is hobby or a part time engagement, one has to earn the cost of maintain the cameras, get good quality lenses and improve on the technical assistance on a regular basis. A single good quality lens may cost $900 to $2500. So now you know the bigger portion of hefty bill goes into the making and maintenance of a system which in inevitable for good quality product shots.

On parting note, isn't it worthy of spending on professional images considering the kind of fortune they bring for all online business? And they are worth the expense in the bargain.

Jewellery Photography Needs a Vision of Perfection

The important keys to wholesome jewellery photography are keenness, lighting and sparkle. And of course with perfection vision the mission can be accomplished well!

Reputable jewellery photography needs sharp and concise focus to achieve the finest effects. Accurate high-resolution cameras like Nikon and Cannon Digital Rebel with 100 mm macro lens will look at a wide area of jewellery that needs to be photographed and position it accurately. This is known as "spot focus" mode that allows precisely what the camera will be focusing on.  Sometimes many digital cameras cannot capture the small shiny gemstones.  For close-up, a camera with good manual focus ability is needed.

Soft Lighting effects work best for jewellery photography.  When a series of lighting is used the final image can be visualized. On-camera flash does not always lead to good photos. Occasionally the camera’s flash will be too bright at a close distance when taking pictures and will not light up the jewellery properly. They may also create harsh and distracting shadows, which are harmful when showing to the customers.

Fluorescent bulbs that are well compressed provide pleasant, natural-colour light and produce very little heat serving as an advantage during long photo sessions. A light white satin tent as a diffuser is used that makes it easy to reduce glares and control shadows for jewellery photography.  He will decide on what lights he wants when he is shooting jewellery items like gems, sapphires, rubies and how to add sparkle to diamonds.  The bulbs can be ‘daylight’ or ‘sepia toned’.

LED bulbs are considered as a diamond sparkler producing sharp quality images of the jewels. Camera must preferably be kept on spot mode where the close up photos of diamond, emerald or intricate stones are targeted.  While the photographer is shooting, the lens or the hand movement can get unsteady at times.  A tripod is absolutely essential to use as support enabling sharp images to be clicked effortlessly.

A professional photographer has to portray every precious diamond’s unique sparkle intricately in its metalwork.  Each piece of jewellery is patterned differently concerning its design, shape, finish and its opacity. The use of controlled lights will give brilliance to a particular piece of jewellery.  Implicit focus to capture the detail is very important.  Eventually the professional’s skill to regulate the components ensures that the mission is accomplished with patience.

The age of computers has enormously helped jewellery photography.  Many clients can browse online, choose and decide which jewellery they would like to adorn and purchase the same.  The shutterbug is also an expert at color balancing, converting white gold to yellow gold, changing the color of gemstones and can provide extensive retouching to make sure the products appear in their best light.  The photograph of the product will display the finesse; sparkle and design when different lights source bulb colors are blended during the shoot.  Preferably use 5000K daylight-balanced bulbs to produce a proper image.  Be sure that the entire lights match in color as the exact exposure brings out the best results.

Product Shot UK Unites Exceptional Skill with State of the Art Facilities

If you have been ruing a missed opportunity in selling some product online and it had something to do with bad pictures then you must know that in this digital era there can be no imperfect shots.  

If you look at any images of products being advertised in magazines, glossies or online then the credit goes to the shooters who have done a fabulous job. It is not just about doing a good shot but more than that. Just a captured shot is not the only reason why a product shot is accepted or declined. Well today a large amount of items are sold online and the way they are displayed matter. Consumers may be in any location but they have the convenience of placing an order and getting a home delivery. Now if a shot of an item is lit very poorly or is grainy in texture it is not going to attract any potential customers. Naturally one needs a good and talented person to do the work. For example, a state of the art facility in product shot UK brings with it exceptional skills. It holds ground while the professional is able to communicate the client’s message via the visual or illustration with minimal effects.

When seeking the services of a local company like product shot UK the criterion depends on the e-commerce needs. The images that are taken need to compliment the products. Not only this if is a company able to provide extended services it can be the ideal studio where the work can be done. The whole idea is to bring the items to life and let the visual speak to the potential buyer. A studio will have provision for diverse shooting styles:

1.       It will have qualified camera men who know how to operate the latest digital cameras and adjust lends according to the items and the concept

2.       Hi-definition cameras for tiny objects will be available so that the quality of the product is magnified.

3.       Whether it is a pack shot or a single item the lighting is customized.

4.       There are plenty of background choices to shoot only products with or without the models.

5.       A large studio will offer shooting for family photos, commercial shots, corporate brands, e-commerce images, glamour shoots, image shots for brochures and catalogs.

6.       Website presents to track the project/urgent jobs.

All studios that offer these services are not same and offer various prices. Again this depends on the level of work to be done. If the client needs to do image editing also a few large studios have the necessary provision for it. Local clients can bring in their products and those overseas can courier the material. There is also facility to upload bulk pictures in case the shots have been taken and they only need editing.

Today everyone prefers to work in a friendly atmosphere and needs efficient handling even if the work comes urgently. It is now high time those wishing to expect good sales invest in the product photography studio that can take care of even payments on a quarterly basis. And next time you need clear-cut images then don’t depend on your friendly neighbor who has the world’s most expensive camera but opt for some professionals. They are equally friendly and are better shots!

Versatility is Key Mantra of an Imaginative Commercial Product Photographer

Unless the shutterbug pushes the boundaries of experience to create new styles and lighting, he cannot be imaginative.

A commercial photographer with diverse experience in art can develop his own studio or work as a freelancer. His versatility extends to all presentations of filming, digital, and shooting for right products, portraits and fashion photography. Most important is the fact that he pays attention to technology and creativity. He also will go the extra mile and enjoy the beautiful experience to develop fresh methods and lighting. These are ways he will set standards for himself and gain more business.

To name a few pronounced photographers like Michael Jones does award winning photography. His forte is still, life, product, people and environment. Harold Ross creates dynamic food for advertising companies using effective light painting and creating rare photos. Alex Koloskov specializes in studio and location pictures. Dana Hursey shoots a broad spectrum of stock photography for major clientele.

Some photographers focus in shooting specific products like designer wear, spectacles, electronic items, accessories etc. There is not just one right way to shoot a photo, but a wide range of presentation styles are necessary. Each desired result may demand a different style, image to have a good effect on who is buying the product and to establish a sense of utmost confidentiality. The work can be showcased on websites, brochures and mass-media.

The shooting equipment has to be the most vital kit. Sophisticated digital cameras, lens of 2-3 kinds, tripod, reflectors and spotlights are required for a perfect picture.  A fast lens is able to focus the background of the products. Life as viewed through a lens can be very exciting. Each effort that goes into making a product look perfect is the amount of enthusiasm, zeal and passion that is spent.

The main subject of the commercial photographer is how he sells his product either in picture or story form. White backgrounds are best suited for a clear, direct picture.  All eyes instantly center on the image that is to be conveyed. Shot on white background they blend perfectly and look seamless. If a white background helps in creating a stronger brand go for it. If the brand is better off pink, white need not be used. With proper lighting and shadows the product will appear serene and beautiful.

A professional to market his photography, best images possible will pay off than a poor quality image that will cost significant loss in clients and sales. It is far better to be a perfectionist than being an amateur that can pull the entire business down.  Constructing a solid and familiar brand needs to be one of the priorities. Do what best is for long term success of your business. To enlighten and educate people about the features of the product, the photography style has to be matchless.   Create a sense of mystery to the unique styling of your latest release.

One of the toughest details for a shutterbug is that he must not blend in with his competitors, but be the best in his field of photography. And with that he is able to lend his imagination to create the best for the people who approach him for their projects.

Product Photographer is an Artist with an Aim to Shoot!

Photography is an art and the photographer is the person who accomplishes that art through photography. Photography of products needs to be eye catchy to entice the buyers.

A freelance product photographer’s main theme is to focus on the product that a client is advertising/prompting via a press campaign. For the shutterbug, photography is an art that depicts a story with photos and videos that are worth talking about. He can explain intricate ideas with a detailed visual. He stays organized and committed to the creative aspects of the job. He keeps abreast by browsing current magazines, news articles, movies and television to improve his offerings continuously.

As part of his extensive job profile he should have the following qualities…

As a creative shooter, he should develop a unique style that is fun, witty, simple and clean. He should be creative and experiment on all sorts of product ranges that he comes across. Have to go beyond his limits to perfection every captured image. A thorough professional at editing, lighting, deciding the colour, content and texture, allows his artistic bent of mind to speak for itself. The photography of the product has to entice the buyer and capture his immediate attention.

When a customer looks at the product he wants to buy, he wants value from what is offered, weighs many significance conclusions while looking at it online. Product is for sale, yet it’s the image is an essential storefront for the customers. If photos are not displayed accurately that showcase its creative aspects like a master stroke then the value gets lost and a good customer goes. Not many vendors can afford this situation.

The camera constitutes an important part of the work, providing opportunities for development in the field. The latest cameras like Canon 5D Mark III and Nokia capture the best photographs. The lenses have the latest technology with accurate precision. They allow shots to be clicked at the right angles. They have features like edge-on oblique view, flash and setting for a perfect white balance. A shooter can use the tripod in the studio for smaller pictures, select a timer and props. Once the picture is ready, it can go for post-processing. If a product has to be sold at a high-value, one has to make sure it is an attractive one.

Each product that is caught by the camera has to have different lights that precisely control each highlight and shadow of the product independently. Each sketch is made has to be translated into photos. The product needs to be kept in a position where there is proper lighting to get the effect. Lighting plays an important role as it showcases the product accurately. Every surface has to be highlighted. Emphasize the details of craftsmanship through proper lighting tools.

All brands want to present quality, design and value of their product. The photographer needs to have innovative ideas of how to showcase them. Have the latest software training needed to process images and edit them tastefully and appealing to the end customers. “Photoshop” is graphic editing software used to edit different kinds of digital pictures’, photographs and prepare for printing.

A product photographer can help you to amplify the importance of your product online and offline-that is his primary aim to shoot!