Product Images (bike forks) (take 2 photos added!)

[locostbob]

hey up..

not quite sure where to post this but lets have a go!

just got some new bike forks and before they get used thought i would try my hand at some 'product' photos.

Not really tried this before. set up a black cloth and set forks onto it. camera on tripod and used a little LED tourch for light (that and a small anout of light coming through the thin curtains). These are straight off the camera, albeit a little altering of exposure in RAW 1st. Camera with all noise reduction turned on... (looked less grainy before posting them )

is this right or have i missed it? in chuffed for a 1st go... i usualy under expose things dont like a bright screen!

how can they be made better? and comments greatly apperciated

cheers

bob

1. excuse the noise - noise reduction not fully on at this point!

2. danm red sticker - couldnt get it off...

3.

 

[kiteninja]

Think it would of looked better with a white background and alot more light, but good for first attempt.

 

[bazippy]

Id have gone for a close up with good dof on the adjusters ontop of the fork,and yeh you need more light. i see why youve gone quite dark but it need a little more to make it work!

 

[locostbob]

i will dig out a white background and get some more light on the job and see what that does!

did try a few of the adjusters but just couldnt get anything that looks OK ish... will try again with f2.8 lens and see what that does!

cheers for the pointers...

bob

 

[locostbob]

taken comments on board and here goes take 2...

how does the white background look?? a little crudley done, set up some cardboard and magic tooled it out in PS, the forks lighting and exposure is straight off the camera.

I know the background needs sorting (a little evening porject to make a 'studio') how does the lighting need adjusting... bit of natural in the room and set up a very basic remote flash (35mm flash on ebay £10 trigger!)..

any comments greatly apperciated

bob

 

[glitch]

I'd have to say that the white background makes your efforts looks rather amateurish. I've seen pictures of suspension forks in a similar setting a hundred times before and it just looks like you're trying to copy someone else. I'm sorry to say this but it just looks really dull.

The black background you started with adds a touch of class to a rather boring subject. The forks take on an almost monolithic style and it emphasises the form along with the function. I'd say stick with your first idea but just work on your composition and the lighting.

Let's see some more interesting viewpoints, some selective focusing, use of shallow depth-of-field and a little artistry thrown in there for good measure.

 

[locostbob]

Glitch, cheers for your thoughts this seams to be a very subjective area of photography (i usually do motor sport / MTB, get some motion blur and crashes and everybody is happy! )

i prefer the black background, was trying to get a subtle effect and nice shadows. i dont think my very poor use of PS has helped the white BG (im a novice with this sort of photography and dont use PS - can you tell!) all shot at around f8 - F12 as i have posted similar before and got comments on too shallow DOF (those shot at f3.5) http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=112592

well these forks will be fitted this weekend... but will have the old set to mess about with, will try and get more creative with the composition and DOF...

to be continued!

cheers

bob

 

[awp]

It's not about being creative and DoF - you said you wanted to take product shots. Product shots need to show the product - it's shape - what it's made of etc - and make it look attractive. Nothing arty required - just great technique. You need to practice your technique - especially lighting before going off at a tangent and trying arty stuff. For shiny metal like this - think about a light tent and a big soft box - and go from there.

 

[Moos3h]

As awp, there are two different directions:

1). Product shots, or pack shots. Clean, clear and straightforward. Nothing really arty, just the product shown at its best

2). Arty stuff. This can be abstract, using very shallow DoF or selective focus - got nuts, but be warned that if you were attempting to use these to advertise a product then in theory you would also need some standard shots too, or people might overlook the product!

 

[Kev M]

I like where you were going with the black background bob but the forksneed seperation from the background, bit like a rim light or something.

Have a look on the strobist site for specular highlights. It explains how you use the reflection of a big light source to give shape rather than just the light itself, something like a big white bit of card.