Do I need lights? Newbie critique needed.

J

jennyhurren

Suspended / Banned
Messages
9
Name
jenny
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi, hoping this post won't be too laughable...

BACKGROUND INFO: I run furniture website Out There Interiors. Until very recently we have taken (pretty terrible) shots of our products outside with a compact camera, but recently decided it was time to do a better job. We have had a studio built, and purchased a Canon 500D to get us better shots. Since then I have become interested in learning about photography, and have been experimenting with settings and post production - although still a complete novice (I've been at it all of 2 weeks).

THE POINT: I have, since the beginning of this project assumed that I would need studio lights. All the professional furniture photographers use them, right? And I presumed they would be a necessary. However, here's one of the shots I got this weekend:



black glass dressing table 1 by a1dcf91a5f495ad33e684251be78f0c6, on Flickr


Maybe I need a big virtual slapping in the face, but I've been staring at this photograph for a good while and I'm not sure how lights would improve it.

Can you enLIGHTen me? :)

Many thanks
Jenny
 
Using lights would help you balance the exposure with the daylight outside, but apart from that I don't think they would add much to the shot (except maybe some unwanted shadows!)

Personally, I would have turned the table lamp on, but this could give you a whole new set of challenges to deal with ;)
 
Thanks, that's helpful. When you say they'd help me 'balance the exposure with the daylight' do you mean that I could achieve the nice white background without burning out the tree and sky?

(Table lamp on good idea).
 
Without studio flashes, you can take pictures that the light allows. With flashes, you can create any light you need, and thus take any picture you want. also when it's cloudy or night outside.. Controllable conditions make life so much easier and give consistency to your catalogue.

Also when you turn that desk lamp on, you will have 2 different color temperatures in the photo. With flash it's much easier to change the light to match.
 
I think your doing a great job without the need for lights.
Because you have a large area of white it is acting as a large reflector to the window light and softening the shadows slightly. It is true if you go out and buy some lights you will get greater control over the lighting but it will take time to learn and understand, I would save this for the future. It seems to work for you just using available light.
Just my thoughts and 2p worth.
 
I think this is a pretty good shot,the only thing i find is the window is a bit distracting.:thumbs:
 
Many thanks for your replies guys, I feel like I understand it better now.

It's true that I had to give up about half an hour after this shot was taken due to the loss of light outside, so presumably proper lights (used in the right way) would have allowed me to carry on.

I have a huge amount of products to re-photograph so I think the purchase (and learning curve) is inevitable long term... but it's great to hear positive comments about the above shot.

Definitely should have removed the feet from the dressing table though... :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top