Product Photography Advice - Shoes.

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heidiheels

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Hello!

I've been asked to photograph a line of shoes for a small boutique. The problem is, the budget is extremely tight and the only form of lighting I own is a flash gun and a reflector. I don't own any studio kit at all.

They want clean, simple shots on a white background. I've been thinking about using a light tent - I know these aren't ideal but considering what I have to work with, I don't think I have much choice.

My question is - which light tent/lighting system would you recommend?

They currently photograph their shoes on a sheet and uses the magic wand tool to cut away the background :gag: so anything is better than that, but I want to do a decent job. Is it possible on a tiny budget (under £100)?

Also, any tips specifically for photographing shoes would be appreciated too. Thanks!
 
Anything is possible, it's all really down to what is acceptable, and how importantly you/they view photography to be. No doubt someone will be along to tell you that all you need is a table lamp and a light tent, but I can't agree...

Personally I view good photography to be vital, and well worth spending a reasonable amount of money on - after all, if people are relying on the photos for their buying decisions they won't make the decision to buy unless the photos
1. Show the product very clearly
2. Make the product look very attractive
3. Create a 'want' so that the person wants to buy them.

Based on those assumptions, it's a waste of time and money IMO just to take pics using a light tent or similar - the sales will suffer.

And if you want something better, then you'll need to spend a few hundred, but you can expect the sales to increase my many thousands.

This subject was discussed in this thread. The OP ended up buying the equipment I suggested, and is also getting some training, to make the best of the equipment.
 
Thanks for your reply, Garry.
I agree with you actually, I don't know why the company is investing so little in photography, it doesn't make any sense to me.
I will suggest they increase the budget for product shots but I don't hold out much hope. In the mean time, I will have a read of that thread.
 
If you actually end up with this job, and the equipment to do it with I'll be happy to give you some tips on what to do.

My advice though, it to tell them to take a hike if they don't have enough faith in their own products to spend money on the photography.
 
Last week I took some pics of some bits from my spare parts bin as I'm having a clear-out and did a quick and dirty job (Q&D) as the selling price of these item is only a few pounds - even though they are quite specialist.

aIMG_8648.jpg


aIMG_8642.jpg


But Q&D job still means still life table, large light source using studio flash -I just didn't want to spend too much time and effort, but at the same time the pics still need to clearly show the items. Both items sold within hours and largely I feel due to the picture quality clearly indicating what the buyer was going to get & their condition.

Personally I feel those two picture are actually rather poor, but for the return and where they were going, "fit for purpose" as it were, now if I was running a business and wanted product shots that would lift my sales, show others the pride I felt in my business...

Paul
 
Garry Edwards said:
Anything is possible, it's all really down to what is acceptable, and how importantly you/they view photography to be. No doubt someone will be along to tell you that all you need is a table lamp and a light tent, but I can't agree...

Personally I view good photography to be vital, and well worth spending a reasonable amount of money on - after all, if people are relying on the photos for their buying decisions they won't make the decision to buy unless the photos
1. Show the product very clearly
2. Make the product look very attractive
3. Create a 'want' so that the person wants to buy them.

Based on those assumptions, it's a waste of time and money IMO just to take pics using a light tent or similar - the sales will suffer.

And if you want something better, then you'll need to spend a few hundred, but you can expect the sales to increase my many thousands.

This subject was discussed in this thread. The OP ended up buying the equipment I suggested, and is also getting some training, to make the best of the equipment.
Click to expand...

Garry,

The kit arrived yesterday, I unpacked it this morning and everything is here that I ordered.

Looking forward to the training day. Will I receive some sort of Joining Instructions or do I just turn up with my camera?

Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

Mark
 
Quaker said:
Garry,

The kit arrived yesterday, I unpacked it this morning and everything is here that I ordered.

Looking forward to the training day. Will I receive some sort of Joining Instructions or do I just turn up with my camera?

Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

Mark
Click to expand...

Mark,

All being well I'll send out an email a couple of days before - but basically you just need to turn up with your camera and to be prepared to put up with my inimitable teaching style for a whole day...:lol:

Meanwhile, have a play and see what you can learn simply by practicing.
 
Garry Edwards said:
Mark,

All being well I'll send out an email a couple of days before - but basically you just need to turn up with your camera and to be prepared to put up with my inimitable teaching style for a whole day...:lol:

Meanwhile, have a play and see what you can learn simply by practicing.
Click to expand...

There's no instructions..lol

Hopefully I will get time to set it up and have a play before I come over.

Cheers
 
Quaker said:
There's no instructions..lol

Hopefully I will get time to set it up and have a play before I come over.

Cheers
Click to expand...
The instructions are here:lol:
 
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