Help with amateur (very) product photography!

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Say cheese

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Hi folks,

Little introduction for me, my name's Elliott and I run a little modest toy store for any willing big kids. It has been brought to my attention on many an occasion that my photos are a little embarrassing. I turn on my main light, use my cameras auto settings and click away. I'm listing so many products I wasn't sure I had the time to do anything differently.

However now I'm putting a new website together things need to look a little more professional. I've been watching a few product photography demonstrations and was just about to jump head first into buying the cheapest couple of lamps I could find, however stepping back for a minute I really should seek some advice. I don;t have a big budget unfortunately, I really was hoping to spend less than a £100 for the lamps if possible (I'm based in the UK) but I could stretch it if someone would really recommend it. I found these two;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Product-p...graphy_StudioEquipment_RL&hash=item35b77dde27

Do they seem like they would be a reasonable purchase? If not, would it be possible for someone to point out some alternatives? I'd really appreciate any help! Thanks all for your time.
 
You could try just lightpainting everything, gives a great soft light which picks out all the details.

Advantage is it's free, just need a dark room, light source such as a torch, and somewhere to put your camera, ideally a tripod.
 
I wouldn't bother with continuous light.

Cheap flashgun like a Yongnuo one - £35
Light stand - £10
Cheep wireless trigger set - £25

Basically, if you just want 'on-white' photography then create a white curve or alcove and just fire the flash either directly at the object (but you'll get harsh, strong shadows) or fire the flash into a white ceiling for softer light. Set the flash power, set a shutter speed of 1/125th for example, set ISo to something like 100/200 and adjust the aperture until the exposure looks good.

It's boring, straightforward photography but it's reliable and easy to re-create time and again.

BTW, what camera you using? DSLR? Compact? Bridge?
 
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Did I miss the camera details?
 
Thanks for the advice, appreciate it.

I have to take about 20 photos a day for new products so would this way be as good for efficiency and provide as decent photos for a website sitting? My web designer has basically said he cannot work with what I'm producing!!

I should also say that currently my camera is pretty basic! It's an IXUS 105

specialman said:
I wouldn't bother with continuous light.

Cheap flashgun like a Yongnuo one - £35
Light stand - £10
Cheep wireless trigger set - £25

Basically, if you just want 'on-white' photography then create a white curve or alcove and just fire the flash either directly at the object (but you'll get harsh, strong shadows) or fire the flash into a white ceiling for softer light. Set the flash power, set a shutter speed of 1/125th for example, set ISo to something like 100/200 and adjust the aperture until the exposure looks good.

It's boring, straightforward photography but it's reliable and easy to re-create time and again.

BTW, what camera you using? DSLR? Compact? Bridge?
Click to expand...
 
You can get reasonable results from an ebay kit, I used one like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1250W-PHOTOGRAPHY-Studio-Continuous-Lighting-kit-light-/300502598789?pt=UK_Photography_StudioEquipment_RL&hash=item45f759c485 for this shoe picture:


shoe by R0b L, on Flickr

The setup for this shot was just the two lights (very close) with the shoe on a piece of white card.

Now obviously if you can afford it you will get much better results by using a packshot tog, but this image was acceptable for my needs and compares resonably well with the £6/£7 a shot, cheap end of the packshot market.

Where you will struggle though is with your camera, I don't think you will be able to use it for product shots and you will probably need to look at a dslr.
 
Rob is right.

Your limitation is the fact you expect to get professional level results with:
An amateur camera
Cheap as you can get lighting
No knowledge of why that won't work
No real knowledge of photography

You need to invest in learning to do it properly or paying someone who already knows.

You can't run a 'proper business' cutting corners to that extent. You've grasped the importance of a proper web designer, he's told you your photo's aren't up to scratch - pro level results will take some investment.
 
Sorry, I should have clarified, while I have no knowledge of why that won't work or any real knowledge of photography that certainly doesn't mean I'm not willing to learn. Indeed, it's the reason I've come here to you good people.

While I've asked for a cheap option, it was just in case that was an option as I've had a significant outlay in the past few days and I'd like to curb my spending if possible. However if that's not to be advised then I will invest in the necessary equipment, I just need to buy low end due to my budget.

In that case, I'll look at the ebay kit and a dslr if that's what you think I could work with?

Phil V said:
Rob is right.

Your limitation is the fact you expect to get professional level results with:
An amateur camera
Cheap as you can get lighting
No knowledge of why that won't work
No real knowledge of photography

You need to invest in learning to do it properly or paying someone who already knows.

You can't run a 'proper business' cutting corners to that extent. You've grasped the importance of a proper web designer, he's told you your photo's aren't up to scratch - pro level results will take some investment.
Click to expand...
 
Say cheese said:
Sorry, I should have clarified, while I have no knowledge of why that won't work or any real knowledge of photography that certainly doesn't mean I'm not willing to learn. Indeed, it's the reason I've come here to you good people.

While I've asked for a cheap option, it was just in case that was an option as I've had a significant outlay in the past few days and I'd like to curb my spending if possible. However if that's not to be advised then I will invest in the necessary equipment, I just need to buy low end due to my budget.

In that case, I'll look at the ebay kit and a dslr if that's what you think I could work with?
Click to expand...

What are the items? You can get some specific kit ideas if you tell us what your output should look like.
 
Phil V said:
What are the items? You can get some specific kit ideas if you tell us what your output should look like.
Click to expand...

They will mainly be transformers, but also some figures and lego minifigures.

Is there anything I should be checking when looking at cameras, any minimal specifications?
 
It's not really about spec's I'm afraid, same as any other realm of life, the spec's only tell you half the story. If you're looking at simple packshot stuff, Get a light tent, or a photo table. Some continuous lighting with daylight bulbs is good enough, BUT.

You'll then need a camera and a solid tripod (do not think a £15 ebay tripod will hold a decent camera properly). A decent camera:
either a top end compact
top end bridge
budget dslr

You'll need something that you can control the aperture and trigger remotely.

If you bought a light table, beginner flash equipment and a budget dslr you'd be guaranteed decent quality with a little work. A cheaper camera, light tent and cheaper lighting will make the learning more important.

Your current camera with the best lights you could reasonably afford is on a hiding to nothing.
 
Phil V said:
It's not really about spec's I'm afraid, same as any other realm of life, the spec's only tell you half the story. If you're looking at simple packshot stuff, Get a light tent, or a photo table. Some continuous lighting with daylight bulbs is good enough, BUT.

You'll then need a camera and a solid tripod (do not think a £15 ebay tripod will hold a decent camera properly). A decent camera:
either a top end compact
top end bridge
budget dslr

You'll need something that you can control the aperture and trigger remotely.

If you bought a light table, beginner flash equipment and a budget dslr you'd be guaranteed decent quality with a little work. A cheaper camera, light tent and cheaper lighting will make the learning more important.

Your current camera with the best lights you could reasonably afford is on a hiding to nothing.
Click to expand...

Haha, the last comment made me laugh! Ok, we are scrapping the camera. I'm going to look at the camera options you've provided, thank you so much, and I'll also look for a tripod now. I'm just wondering what to do about the lighting you've mentioned, I'm guessing the ebay kit wouldn't be recommended? that shot looked quite nice above. I'm happy to make the white board for a background if that's ok...
 
Say cheese said:
Haha, the last comment made me laugh! Ok, we are scrapping the camera. I'm going to look at the camera options you've provided, thank you so much, and I'll also look for a tripod now. I'm just wondering what to do about the lighting you've mentioned, I'm guessing the ebay kit wouldn't be recommended? that shot looked quite nice above. I'm happy to make the white board for a background if that's ok...
Click to expand...

It'snot really OK, as in, you need to understand the requirements. Look up threads on DIY light tents or DIY product tables. You'll see that whilst DIY can be done - you were almost certainly going to build the wrong thing.

Look on ebay or a decent 2nd hand camera shop for a Canon G series compact or similar from another manufacturer.
 
For an inexpensive DSLR have a look at Canon outlet on Ebay. It's a genuine Canon outlet, selling factory refurb equipment with a 12 month warranty.

They are currently listing a EOS 1100D at £249. They are £319 on Amazon.
 
Phil, I've been looking at the Canon series, and someone has offered me a g7 at a very reasonable price. So reasonable I'm assuming it might not be enough, is there a number you would recommend as a minimum?
 
The G7 was a great camera, a little old now. But if you can get it cheap, use it on Manual with studio flash, you'll get better results than with a DSLR and continuous lights.

How much is a 'reasonable price'?
 
£50, I thought that seemed like a decent price?

I've also spied a photo table for £75, so that seems like two of the necessary items if I take the camera.
 
Hello Everyone
This is John Mclaren. I am very fond of photography it's my passion. I want to be a photographer since I was a child. My father was also a photographer, so you can say that photography is in my blood. I am looking for Pros who can help me in becoming a good photographer. And i would also like to share my views with them.
 
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As others have said, you're making life difficult for yourself if you're determined to go for the cheapest way of doing it.

Photography is a bit like everything else in life. If you need to shave a tiny amount of wood off of something, you can do it using even the cheapest chisel - provided that you're an expert at sharpening it, and are happy to spend more time sharpening it than using it. Or you can buy a really good chisel, it will still take care and skill, but it will be a lot easier. What you can't do is to use a screwdriver instead of a chisel...

Post good examples of the type of products you need to photograph, I will then tell you how they were lit and with what equipment. You can then make the decisions.
 
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