Product Photography

Louis · Share | #1 (**permalink**) 03-04-2009, 02:55 PM

I'm using this to take pictures of my pens and other turnings:

The output is something like this:

What do you people think of these pictures? How can I improve? I'm using an old Nikon Coolpix E4500.

**Cricket** · #2 (**permalink**) 03-04-2009, 03:00 PM

Are you shooting with or without flash?

Louis · #3 (**permalink**) 03-04-2009, 03:48 PM

Without. Only using the lamp as the light source.

**Cricket** · #4 (**permalink**) 03-04-2009, 03:53 PM

I have to tell you I am impressed with the results, so I hate to offer any kind of advice. And, Lord have mercy, I hope you are going to enter the photography contest!

gammaRascal · #5 (**permalink**) 03-04-2009, 03:56 PM

Nice little lightbox you got there Louis! I have one I made from white foamcore boards. Works great for bouncing light around.

Louis · #6 (**permalink**) 03-04-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cricket

I have to tell you I am impressed with the results, so I hate to offer any kind of advice. And, Lord have mercy, I hope you are going to enter the photography contest!

Thanks, but I'll take advice anyway

Contest? Gee you are making me look for it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3ncryptabl3_lick

Nice little lightbox you got there Louis! I have one I made from white foamcore boards. Works great for bouncing light around.

Thanks, I used scrap 2x4 for the frame and placed white foamcore for the sides to reflect the light.

**Cricket** · #7 (**permalink**) 03-04-2009, 04:27 PM

http://www.v7n.com/forums/digital-ph...our-world.html

Louis · #8 (**permalink**) 03-04-2009, 05:42 PM

I can't enter the photography contest with pictures of pens...

**ScriptMan** · #9 (**permalink**) 03-04-2009, 06:32 PM

I consider those to be excellant.

If you want to improve, all the home-made light boxes that I have seen provide light from the top and the two sides to eliminate shadows.

The use of high K ( I am having a mind block here) new type bulbs can light you up while keeping it cool.

gammaRascal · #10 (**permalink**) 03-04-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louis

...I used scrap 2x4 for the frame and placed white foamcore for the sides to reflect the light.

Go foamcore! Whoo hoo!

I second ScriptMan's suggestion on using two lights, one from each side. It's what I do and it has a nice effect of bouncing the lights around the subject which softens everything - especially if you're not pointing the lights directly at it.

I can't fault you for your shots. They are great. My only complaint, if you can call it that, is seeing the light reflected in the glossy black pen in that one shot. Although you can probably remove that in post.

**Cricket** · #11 (**permalink**) 03-04-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louis

I can't enter the photography contest with pictures of pens...

why? even your photo of your your set up would be perfect!

blazintech · #12 (**permalink**) 03-04-2009, 09:56 PM

nice quality... I hope I can also post something good like that..

Louis · #13 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3ncryptabl3_lick

My only complaint, if you can call it that, is seeing the light reflected in the glossy black pen in that one shot. Although you can probably remove that in post.

The third picture? It's a bottle stopper, on that one, yes the light reflects too harshly, but the light on the pen pictures helps show off the shine which is a good thing. It shows how matte or a glossy a pen is.

gammaRascal · #14 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louis

...but the light on the pen pictures helps show off the shine which is a good thing. It shows how matte or a glossy a pen is.

Of course, of course. It looks great on the others.

antirem · #15 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 09:34 AM

Only thing I would do is use a different backdrop so that if need be you can cut the item out.

Brave7 · #16 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 08:12 PM

Louis c'est beau

I will ajust a little, to cut the reflections you've got on pen photo 2 and 4

You take some great shots !

BlackEyes · #17 (**permalink**) 04-16-2009, 03:22 AM

Great pictures you have their Louis..I am also impressed with your work..Yeah, you better enter to that contest, you are really qualified..great work..

BobB49 · #18 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 08:33 PM

I realize this is an old post - but do you have to use a special light? Wattage? Does it give off alot of heat?

Sorry for so many questions I was going to try and make a lightbox myself and see what I could do. Thank you - and your shots are inspiring.

**Cricket** · #19 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 08:37 PM

There are as many different ways as there are people who create light boxes. I truly believe a lot of it is trial and error.

Check this one out.
http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/light_box_light_tent

**HTMLBasicTutor** · #20 (**permalink**) 08-14-2009, 03:57 PM

This is on sale locally in one of the flyers:
Optex Photo Studio Lighting Kit
http://www.gentec-intl.com/Default.a...prod_id=OSLKIT