Which lighting is best?

[holty]

join a camera club and learn how to take pictures . after 2 years at studying photography you should know the basics of photography and how and why to use flash

dont take the hump with the good free advice from people on the forum take heed of there advice

everyone need to learn to crawl before they learn to walk

enough said

 

[Sydney]

I struggled with college and ended up dropping out, didn't really show up to my lessons so learnt minimal - studio work always confused me the most anyway. Was very unhappy in college and going through a really tough time so I've left with almost no qualifications - so no, the 2 years (two different courses anyway) really aren't in my head. No problem with that though! I'm happy to try learn myself, in my own time

I'm definitely not 'taking the hump' with the free advice, I've been nothing but polite, considered advice and only reacted once to when things just started to get, what I felt, really mean. I'm here for help, not for a fight so I'd really appreciate if everyone stopped pointing fingers at me/picking on me/telling me off. It would be quite nice if everyone stopped trying to put so much pressure on me! I really don't see what I've done wrong.

 

[Diving Pete]

Sydney, strangely this thread has almost been unanimous in trying to assist you - But, its only advice, feel free to do as you wish - its your money.

As a FYI though.
When it comes to Lighting (as with a lot of things) you get what you pay for.

 

[Sydney]

But what you don't all seem to see is that I've been taking your advice! At this point I feel like the thread should be over as I think I made a decision and this has turned into more of a 'tell off Sydney' than 'let's help Sydney' - theres not much more need for this to continue as I've considered carefully everything said about LED lights, decided against them and feel as though I've found a good little set up. I've listened, taken advice - what more is there that you all want from me! I was never resisting any suggestions.
Anyway, aside from all the uncomfortable and patronising conversations I've been having, (apart from a select few that decided to not get involved) thank you all for your help, I will keep this bookmarked to reference in the future when I'll be needing all the extra advice I got given (despite it not being relevant now, as I progress, it'll be things I need to consider)

 

[Garry Edwards]

ahh thank you so much for a great suggestion that's a cheaper alternative to what I'm looking at, probably more or less exactly all that I need..
I do currently use my iphone (I only used it because I sell on an app and it made the process so much quicker) but I'm going onto using my canon as this is my next step - moving onto the internet for selling (think etsy)
I was considering buying this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005KYK1UU/ref=ox_sc_act_image_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A6ZVX1R8X207M
I know it's got a lot of stuff and even though I'm just keeping a really simple approach to taking the photos, I thought that as I progress I could then start to include models for lookbooks which means I'd use some of the features a bit more. Do you reckon that it'd be a good buy? considering it's on offer and has gone down so much in price (this means that if I choose to sell it, if still in good condition, I'd at least make my money back). I know it's quite a lot to go buy when you're not particularly looking for much but it does leave me a lot of space to start exploring photography a bit more when I get to that stage (e.g having my own website/promotional shots/lookbooks)

Sorry, but that kit is the worst kind of junk and not worth having at any price IMO. And I very much doubt whether anyone has ever been daft enough to pay the crossed out price that they claim it's reduced from.

If you can't afford decent quality new flash, then get decent quality second hand ones instead, but be prepared to pay extra for the all important light modifiers that fit to the flash heads, and be prepared to spend a lot of time experimenting, learning and practising.

 

[Phil V]

Sidney
What camera do you have? Is it capable of firing flash?
I might have something for you.

 

[Diving Pete]

well done phil - lets get back on track - Sydney - where are you located ? The reason I ask is you may be near someone who is willing (& able) to show you the difference.

 

[pjm1]

Sydney

You have received some excellent advice. You are not alone in being attracted to "bargains" (which aren't, by the way) on amazon/ebay/whatever but please listen to the experts when they're telling you that you're wasting your money. One minute you tell us you are budget constrained and the next you'd asking whether you should waste nearly £200 on kit which is barely adequate with no apparent knowledge of how to use it. I'm not being harsh here - it's just none of us want you to make a terrible mistake which could damage your finances quite badly.

To put this into context: I reckon if you - or I - were lent a high-end £2,000 lighting rig with all the modifiers we could want our photos wouldn't look that much better for it. Conversely, give someone like Phil or Garry a window and a reflector and I pretty much guarantee they will take better shots of the same products than either of us with our fancy-dan lighting. This is simply because they have knowledge of how to use light effectively.

Unless you are willing to invest in kit which will grow with you as you develop your skills, you are wasting your money - your kit will become redundant in no time. As others have said, the best initial investment you can make right now is to buy a book on lighting (my personal favourite is Light Science and Magic but there are plenty of other recommendations others have made elsewhere) and learn about it. In parallel with that, by all means buy a large reflector (which will remain useful for a long time to come) and play with natural window light. The link here isn't brilliant (and please stop reading when you get to "Single Mono Light Setup") but it explains a tiny bit about how you could use natural window light in one particular way: http://www.removethebackground.com/blog/3-lighting-setups-for-apparel-will-make-photos-shine/

I'm assuming you have a tripod - you need one - and you have a stationary subject, which means you don't need as much light as for handheld/moving subjects. What you need to be able to do is to control the light you do have very carefully. Using natural light means you need no other kit (apart from tripod and background of sorts) apart from stuff you can cobble together: some plain net drapes if the light is too bright / in direct sun and a big white board or even sheet if you don't yet have a reflector. But, you really do need to know what you're doing with the light so please spend £15 on a proper lighting book and read it and understand it. If your business isn't worth you spending a couple of days doing that then no amount of kit is going to help you.

This is the cheapest solution you will be able to find. It's so far from perfect it may well be very frustrating at times, but it's the cheapest and you won't be wasting a penny of any money spent. There will be times when you won't be able to shoot - when it's dark or when the light isn't right. That's not ideal. But it's a hell of a lot better than spending £200 on rubbish lighting and not knowing what to do with it all.

 

[-Rob-]

If Sydney has a DSLR already then I'd suggest getting a relatively cheap TTL flash like a Yongnuo, putting it on camera and bouncing it off a wall or ceiling. Very little understanding of light will be required, just a bit of trial and error. The results won't be very professional but she has made it perfectly clear that she's happy to accept lower quality at this point. At least with a flash it will still be of use in the future if she does learn more about photography and lighting.

2p <<<<< mine!!

 

[Phiggys]

Hi Sydney I see you have a Canon 50D which is absolutely fine for what you want to do.
Don't know if you also have a flash of any description but that really is all you need.
and a bit of friendly advice and tuition.
Get in touch by email or pm and I will do all I can to help you.
In the meantime go and check out some of the freely available lighting tutorials on the web or on YouTube I'm sure you will find them very informative and helpful

Btw nothing wrong with your iPhone I have seen complete weddings taken on them

 

[Sydney]

Sorry, but that kit is the worst kind of junk and not worth having at any price IMO. And I very much doubt whether anyone has ever been daft enough to pay the crossed out price that they claim it's reduced from.

If you can't afford decent quality new flash, then get decent quality second hand ones instead, but be prepared to pay extra for the all important light modifiers that fit to the flash heads, and be prepared to spend a lot of time experimenting, learning and practising.

I highly doubt they're as bad as you're making out - I've read a lot of reviews and they're one of the best options on Amazon. I realise you know your stuff but this can't be such a terrible option. I have a budget - about £200 and I'm not looking to dive straight into being pro, surely you've got to learn to make do with what you've got and this is really as much as I can afford. Considering how strongly you feel about this though, if you could link me to what you feel is a good example of a second hand quality flash then please do.

Sidney
What camera do you have? Is it capable of firing flash?
I might have something for you.

canon 50d!

well done phil - lets get back on track - Sydney - where are you located ? The reason I ask is you may be near someone who is willing (& able) to show you the difference.

I'm located in Somerset - we know a some people who have a studio and will be willing to give me a little bit of experience in learning about it all, setting it up and stuff. To show me the difference in what? Please remember that this is only a side project, vintage selling online - currently just on an app, moving onto the internet/wanting to use my canon but it's not my entire and only source of income, it's just a little project that brings some extra cash - I can't be investing so much into this because everyone thinks that a £180 studio is a piece of crap (besides all the good reviews)

Sydney

You have received some excellent advice. You are not alone in being attracted to "bargains" (which aren't, by the way) on amazon/ebay/whatever but please listen to the experts when they're telling you that you're wasting your money. One minute you tell us you are budget constrained and the next you'd asking whether you should waste nearly £200 on kit which is barely adequate with no apparent knowledge of how to use it. I'm not being harsh here - it's just none of us want you to make a terrible mistake which could damage your finances quite badly.

To put this into context: I reckon if you - or I - were lent a high-end £2,000 lighting rig with all the modifiers we could want our photos wouldn't look that much better for it. Conversely, give someone like Phil or Garry a window and a reflector and I pretty much guarantee they will take better shots of the same products than either of us with our fancy-dan lighting. This is simply because they have knowledge of how to use light effectively.

Unless you are willing to invest in kit which will grow with you as you develop your skills, you are wasting your money - your kit will become redundant in no time. As others have said, the best initial investment you can make right now is to buy a book on lighting (my personal favourite is Light Science and Magic but there are plenty of other recommendations others have made elsewhere) and learn about it. In parallel with that, by all means buy a large reflector (which will remain useful for a long time to come) and play with natural window light. The link here isn't brilliant (and please stop reading when you get to "Single Mono Light Setup") but it explains a tiny bit about how you could use natural window light in one particular way: http://www.removethebackground.com/blog/3-lighting-setups-for-apparel-will-make-photos-shine/

I'm assuming you have a tripod - you need one - and you have a stationary subject, which means you don't need as much light as for handheld/moving subjects. What you need to be able to do is to control the light you do have very carefully. Using natural light means you need no other kit (apart from tripod and background of sorts) apart from stuff you can cobble together: some plain net drapes if the light is too bright / in direct sun and a big white board or even sheet if you don't yet have a reflector. But, you really do need to know what you're doing with the light so please spend £15 on a proper lighting book and read it and understand it. If your business isn't worth you spending a couple of days doing that then no amount of kit is going to help you.

This is the cheapest solution you will be able to find. It's so far from perfect it may well be very frustrating at times, but it's the cheapest and you won't be wasting a penny of any money spent. There will be times when you won't be able to shoot - when it's dark or when the light isn't right. That's not ideal. But it's a hell of a lot better than spending £200 on rubbish lighting and not knowing what to do with it all.

I am on a budget - I have £300 to start re-doing my room, turning it into an office/studio - that's my budget and £180 is okay as I could still afford the basics of what I need for the rest of the room and would just have to save up a little more to get a few things at a later date.

The concept of shadows and stuff isn't the biggest issue right here - I'm photographing items of clothing to sell on. I just need something I can work with to create a fairly consistent light (so that no matter what time of the day, all the photos look fairly similar) and just clean, clear, crisp - just not dull!!
I mentioned that I really liked natural light which is kind of how I was trying to demonstrate the idea of what I'd like the artifical light to replicate. It's not suitable though because I have to be able to work with lighting and taking photos on MY schedule, not the suns. I'm also not going to be having an artistic or creative shots included - not until I move ono to promotional shots when I have a website or lookbooks.

If Sydney has a DSLR already then I'd suggest getting a relatively cheap TTL flash like a Yongnuo, putting it on camera and bouncing it off a wall or ceiling. Very little understanding of light will be required, just a bit of trial and error. The results won't be very professional but she has made it perfectly clear that she's happy to accept lower quality at this point. At least with a flash it will still be of use in the future if she does learn more about photography and lighting.

2p <<<<< mine!!

Thanks for the suggestion! Will have a little research about it

 

[Sydney]

Hi Sydney I see you have a Canon 50D which is absolutely fine for what you want to do.
Don't know if you also have a flash of any description but that really is all you need.
and a bit of friendly advice and tuition.
Get in touch by email or pm and I will do all I can to help you.
In the meantime go and check out some of the freely available lighting tutorials on the web or on YouTube I'm sure you will find them very informative and helpful

Btw nothing wrong with your iPhone I have seen complete weddings taken on them

Thank you so much, probably one of the only nice people that I've come across on here (be careful though, now that I've said that everyone might just pick on you as they did with Simon) but it's very refreshing to feel like someone is willing to listen and compromise than force down what they feel is best even if it's not for your situation! I will have a little watch on youtube and a little later I'll drop you a message.
And nothing wrong with an iPhone indeed! on the app I currently use it's part of the quick-posting process and everyone seems to be happy with it as long as you can see the item.
Will definitely message you

 

[pjm1]

The concept of shadows and stuff isn't the biggest issue right here - I'm photographing items of clothing to sell on. I just need something I can work with to create a fairly consistent light (so that no matter what time of the day, all the photos look fairly similar) and just clean, clear, crisp - just not dull!!

Sydney, in the nicest possible way the bit in bold just shows WHY you need to learn about lighting. So much about light is about "shadows and stuff", specifically the differences between highlight areas (and the types of highlights) and lowlight areas (otherwise known as shadow).

Anyway, I'm done here and I suspect many others are too. Good luck with your venture and I do hope you pop back in to let us know how you're getting on.

ATB

 

[Sydney]

Sydney, in the nicest possible way the bit in bold just shows WHY you need to learn about lighting. So much about light is about "shadows and stuff", specifically the differences between highlight areas (and the types of highlights) and lowlight areas (otherwise known as shadow).

Anyway, I'm done here and I suspect many others are too. Good luck with your venture and I do hope you pop back in to let us know how you're getting on.

ATB

It's not that appropriate towards what I need. Yes, for photography it is, I get that but for ebay style selling? etsy selling? I don't really need to get too creative and work with shadows - it's an item on a hanger, that's all. I think I'd be wasting a lot more if I started buying with such expense for something that is merely a side project.

I will not be popping back in here to keep any of you updated as I have found this forum to be a terrible experience - yes I'm learning about what I should consider but not without being attacked, patronised or treated like a child. I find a lot of you to be quite rude so I really wish that you were all done here. You've got to realise that even if someone asks for you advice, they are not obliged to take it, it's their decision to do so and if they don't and f*** up - their problem, just don't force unwanted advice upon someone and make them feel very, very terrible and confused about trying to understand. This isn't entirely aimed at you, I just have found this really unpleasant.

 

[-Rob-]

Thank you so much, probably one of the only nice people that I've come across on here

This is the reason I won't be providing any more help or advice. pretty much everyone in this thread has been nice and helpful. Refusing to acknowledge that isn't going to encourage any more advice.

All I've gathered from this thread is that you are absolutely clueless about how to take good product photography shots and you are perfectly happy to stay that way. I have no idea why you started the thread in the first place if you don't want to improve.

 

[mike weeks]

Sydney you do not have the knowledge of who is trying to help you and how many years of PROFESSIONAL photographic experience they have. So let me put it in to context, all of these reviews for that lighting gear were done by people that do not know their arse from their elbow about lights, none of them were experienced photographers. You were given excellent advice from photographers that have had to do this to earn their wages so when they say the lights are a pile of crap you should listen and I will tell you why. Perhaps if your posting had been clear from the outset that you wished to have the room brighter so that you could take a few snaps on your iPhone you would have got more relevant info. You have now moved on to saying you have a 50D and that opens more possibilities. The last thing you want to be doing is throwing away £200 on crap when the same money or just a little more will buy something decent, YES those PROFESSIONALS were trying to help you avoid an EXPENSIVE mistake. Courtesy is a two way thing and you were given ears and a mouth in a particular ratio, i.e. listen twice as much as you talk and you might learn a thing or 2 (others may not have learnt that and might need to rethink what they have said). Be upfront and honest about what you want to achieve and it will be repaid and if others are discourteous to you there are ways of putting them back in their boxes. The reason that some may have come across as unfriendly is because it appears from reading this thread that you were intent on ignoring that valuable thing called experience that the others had. There are idiots here just like in all walks of life, but there is also much help and advice freely given - the good guys will try to ensure that you are advised well. Learn to walk and then to run and then you will be part of the herd.

Mike

 

[Sydney]

Thanks Mike, the reason I started with 'dark room, need light, using iPhone' and moved on was because this entire time I've been using different websites and ways to research what is best for my situation - open to changing my mind, as it was so rapidly as I learnt - I just didn't update that consistently on here. The reason I'm also looking for information on lighting now is because I'm changing the platform I sell on and want to make use of my camera. Please do realise though that this started when I was interested in LED lights, which I only stuck with for about 3 comments from me and because of that, got quite attacked - I then asked for any other suggestions so I could compare what they were talking about to what I felt seemed okay (for better understanding too) and suddenly everyone got ridiculously mean, at which point I did not refrain from saying what I think. After that, everyone started to lose sight of helping me until recently.
I am VERY happy to take advice, which is why I'm still here but I don't see why it couldn't have been on a human level, you are talking to an uneducated, 19 year old girl, with not many intentions of becoming a photographer but it is part of this project, who just doesn't understand - I'm a very slow learner and I'm sorry if that's not on parr with just accepting whatever anyone says - I like to feel comfortable that what I am doing is right so I don't just follow instructions, I consider them and ultimately, as it always will be, make my OWN decision.
My situation is a little bit more complex (or uncomplex in comparison to what everyone seems to think it is) so it's difficult to explain without showing examples. I've spoken to a friend who studied photography quite heavily and currently sells handmade items online, on etsy. She got exactly what I meant - maybe this is more of a discussion for in real life. It's a really simple thing I'm asking for and I think having that kit leaves room for development. I've read reviews and I'm more than happy to take that, from people who have used them over a simple judgement - I realise it isn't the best kit but it's actually more than I need and leaves room for amateur experimentation and development. It's my top option so far, along with another that has been suggested in here - I'm still pondering and considering (yes all your options everyone in here) but just because I don't say I am and let you know my research/thought process, doesn't mean that I'm not, so I'd appreciate steering away from 'LISTEN TO US'

 

[Garry Edwards]

I should recognise when I'm not being listened to and just move on, but I'll try for one last time...

You'll find excellent reviews, all over the net, on all sorts or products, regardless of their quality or fitness for purpose. Some of these will be genuine in the sense that the writers actually believe what they are saying, usually because they have no idea what they're talking about and no experience of 'similar' products on which to base an opinion, and others will be entirely false, posted on behalf of the sellers, which happens all the time. As an example of genuine but misleading good reviews, there is an American Company that has a massive market share and an equally massive genuine fan base, despite the fact that most of their products are total junk. The reason for their success is that their products are aimed squarely at the beginner market, and their beginner customers post glowing reviews simply because they have never used or even seen anything better, and because they know nothing about studio photography...

That particular kit, or at least the case that houses it, has been made in a vast number of different Chinese workshops for many years. The case is generic, which means that it's available to everyone, some lights are made in fairly large factories, others are made in back street workshops and some are made in bedrooms or sheds - the quality of the components is extremely variable to say the least, but it's safe to say that at the 'factory gate' price of just £11 or so it's inevitable that the main components are almost bound to be recycled, and extremely variable. Because of this every flash fired from them comes out at a different strength and colour, which makes them the worst possible choice. Also, they don't have a standard accessory fitting, this means that only an extremely limited range of accessories are available. And, because the reflectors are non-removable, when softboxes are used the light from them is far from even. How do I know this? Because I'm in the trade and have visited many, if not most of the Chinese factories.

As for linking to suitable flash heads, I'll leave you to work your way through Ebay, but anything fairly recent from Bowens, Elinchrom or Lencarta (in alphabetical order) will be a safe bet - which doesn't mean that these are the only makes worth considering.

Sydney, in the nicest possible way the bit in bold just shows WHY you need to learn about lighting. So much about light is about "shadows and stuff", specifically the differences between highlight areas (and the types of highlights) and lowlight areas (otherwise known as shadow).

Anyway, I'm done here and I suspect many others are too. Good luck with your venture and I do hope you pop back in to let us know how you're getting on.

ATB

Yes, lighting is all about the creation of the right shadows in the right places. When it comes to product photography, and especially fashion, the right shadows in the right places greatly add to the perception of quality, and the real skill in this type of photography is to make cheap clothes look expensive.

 

[Lemaildetom]

I repeat my beginner comment which seems to disappear within the multitude of more experience pro-shooter.

1) use your slr not your i-phone
2) mount it on a cheap tripod or rest on any stable surface
3) use available light, thanks to a longish exposure you can get a decent image in any light condition but you could also took opportunity of bright day to diffuse the light from your window.
4) increase the distance to the background a bit and use a white background for more pleasing results

If you are carefull with your white balance, exposure, composition, shot in jpg with sharpening. You will have a minimum processing to do. Just use a free program such as photofiltre and batch process all your native jpg to reduce size to something like 800x600 pixel and 200ko. And job done.

A personal advice, when I buy clothe on ebay I like when there is some detail shot for exemple showing the tag, the zip, or important detail that are hard to spot on a large picture.

You can obtain decent (better than average) results this way without investing a penny, learning about lighting and spending hours on lightroom or photoshop. Then if you feel you want more to develop your business idea you can follow the advice that people are giving you. I know my advice are really basic, and not technically good but I think this is the kind of advice the OP is looking for.

 

[Sydney]

thank you, this really will be all I need

 

[Phil V]

Well I was offering free lights*, but it seems I'm of no use

They'll find a home at some point.

*crap lights but better than any of the sets discussed so far.

 

[cowboy]

Well I was offering free lights*, but it seems I'm of no use

They'll find a home at some point.

*crap lights but better than any of the sets discussed so far.

Are they LED lights?

 

[Phil V]

Are they LED lights?

What do you think.

 

[Greggster]

Blimey, if I was Sydney I'd run a mile from this forum!

Wasn't there a recent thread about going easy on newbies.....

 

[pjm1]

Blimey, if I was Sydney I'd run a mile from this forum!

Wasn't there a recent thread about going easy on newbies.....

Well I'm glad you didn't run away

I think the voracity of the initial responses may have been because the photography was going to be used to promote a business. Businesses are serious... erm... business. As a comparison, I think if a newbie amateur hobbyist came on asking a similar question they might well get a much more moderate response (I would hope so). In my experience - and specifically as a business owner - we need to be quite thick-skinned to run an enterprise and especially a consumer-facing one. You're unlikely to thank anyone for sugar coating the truth about how hard things can be - the sleepless nights, the fear from employing staff, having to pay creditors etc.

That's starting to digress from the point you made and apologies for that. I think Sydney is to be hugely commended for starting her own business and also for reaching out to internet forums etc. to seek advice. I am sorry (and slightly guilty) that she didn't receive as warm a welcome from us all as we should, perhaps, have offered. However, I suspect the tone of the comments here are nothing in comparison to what she will unfortunately receive at some point from disgruntled consumers (even if they have no right to be disgruntled)! It's the nature of business and unfortunately it is often unfair.

I do believe the advice given was well intentioned and it would have been remiss to recommend something knowing it was unfit for purpose. Perhaps the way the message was conveyed could have been softened somewhat, but that's always the downside and risk of internet communication...

For what it's worth, sorry Sydney.

 

[boyfalldown]

Blimey, if I was Sydney I'd run a mile from this forum!

Wasn't there a recent thread about going easy on newbies.....

I thought the responses were polite, helpful and honest.

When I started in business I was told the worst advice was 'oh that's a good idea'. Just because honest advice was offered you'd run a mile?

 

[Ste Manns]

I'm going to wade in at this point...

Sidney I have read all your posts in this thread and the responses given. I do not believe the majority are being rude, they sound a bit frustrated is all.

The guys here are all extremely knowledgeable in their fields. For instance you will not come across many people who know as much about lighting as Gary, I promise you that! However I personally believe you need a different solution to this.

Forget "lighting" altogether. I'm sure you will have lots of willing friends yes? You are selling garments and fashion yes?

By far, the cheapest thing you can do is get a mate to wear some of your product, take them somewhere nice, some sort of beauty spot, the coast, maybe somewhere in town even. Go early morning or later on in the afternoon, avoid midday. Use a longer focal length, and shoot at around f5.6 and as fast a shutter speed as the conditions allow. Get yourself a reflector (make one with card and silver foil) and reflect light back at your model, you will be amazed at the difference this can make. Practice doing this sort of thing a few times, so long as your shutter isn't too slow you should be able to get yourself some interesting and useful shots. You will learn yourself how to use the available light to best effect, it won't happen straight away but it will happen. Provided your first not so good attempts don't dishearten you. (Keep at it. Practice practice practice).

This will cost you nothing. You will get good useable shots, with interest and vibrancy if you look at what the light is doing in your pictures and you try different things. (Try the reflector!!)

Forget studio/lighting. It requires expensive equipment, lots of learning and time invested. You can't do it cheaply, not properly. what I am suggesting is free and can potentially result in great results.

 

[Ste Manns]

I forgot to say. Pop some of your efforts up in the portraits section, explain your skill level and what you are trying to achieve in the long run. You may get sone unkind comments potentially but you will also get some expert and great advice that will help you improve.

People pay good money for that!!

 

[riddell]

ebay photography is not a look to aspire to achieve. Its a derogatory comment made towards a certain type of poor quality photography. Usually carried out by someone with a cheap camera, cheap lighting and most importantly no idea what they are doing.

Used by the absolute bottom feeders of ebay suppliers who wonder why they are not selling more, despite lowering their prices below their competitors and cutting their margins to the bone so they are barely making profit.

Amazon and several similar sites don't actually allow 'ebay standard' photos.

 

[Ste Manns]

What do you reckon will help sell things better, a poorly lit and very amateur iPhone shot of a a garment on a hanger just 'hanging' there with no thought of composition or a nice shot of someone wearing the garment, showing it off and generally looking good? You know it makes sense. Learn lighting and studio later when you have some money spare to spend on the right gear and tuition.

 

[Sydney]

I'm really tiring of this - for many reasons which I do not want to go into because I'd quite like to leave this area of suggestions right but I cannot use models and focus on getting the 'money shot' - with styling, posing, creative lighting etc etc. yes ebay style photos are not aspirational but that is what I want, because I am on similar platforms. Just a simple, white background, item on hanger, a nice little set up so I don't have to fiddle much and can get it over and done with quickly. It won't be an ugly photo, it'll be simple. I understand that you all completely disagree with this but please, this is what I'm asking about. I know it 'makes sense' and I understand all about how to 'sell' an item but it'd be wasted time and effort currently so please, can you just accept that it's not something I am willing to consider and would like to turn the focus back onto what I would like.

 

[Ste Manns]

Ok, firstly to whom is this last post directed? I have tried to help and advise you to take a different route so you can get the best bang for your buck. If your last comment is directed at what I have said, then I am out, but before I go let me explain something in clear terms to you.

YOU CANNOT DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH THE ITEMS YOU HAVE SUGGESTED YOU WOULD LIKE TO BUY. IT WILL NOT WORK!!!! LISTEN TO WHAT THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW ABOUT THIS SORT OF THING ARE TELLING YOU!!!!

If that still doesn't sink in, then fine. We tried. Go spend your money on whatever garbage you think suitable on Amazon and do your thing with it. Don't try to say nobody would help you, because we did. I would also advise you get yourself some manners, find some humility and start listening to people who offer you advice. You will get nowhere with the attitude you have right now.

Nearly forgot. Just take a moment to look at the time stamp of my first post. Take a look at that post and wonder about the time it was when I decided to offer some advice to you for free. Explain to the rest of this forum why on earth anyone should bother to offer you any further help or advice.

 

[Lemaildetom]

I'm really tiring of this - for many reasons which I do not want to go into because I'd quite like to leave this area of suggestions right but I cannot use models and focus on getting the 'money shot' - with styling, posing, creative lighting etc etc. yes ebay style photos are not aspirational but that is what I want, because I am on similar platforms. Just a simple, white background, item on hanger, a nice little set up so I don't have to fiddle much and can get it over and done with quickly. It won't be an ugly photo, it'll be simple. I understand that you all completely disagree with this but please, this is what I'm asking about. I know it 'makes sense' and I understand all about how to 'sell' an item but it'd be wasted time and effort currently so please, can you just accept that it's not something I am willing to consider and would like to turn the focus back onto what I would like.

I remember a couple of years ago helping a friend putting 100 clothes item on ebay and I ended up be the model. It was all 2 hands stuff that she gathered around in car boot sale, lot's of old addidas, nike,... popular to youngster people in London. We spend a whole week together taking picture and listing on ebay. It can be a hell of a lot of work for some item that only reach a few quid while some other can reach a good price. What is really important is to have all the size, colour, brand, condition... filled in so that people using search engine find your product. Then a nice description which show that you sell stuff that you like yourself. And not forgotting mentioning that you have other items.
Sometimes on ebay the not 100% professional looks is more attracting that a totally blend professional.

 

[boyfalldown]

I remember a couple of years ago helping a friend putting 100 clothes item on ebay and I ended up be the model. It was all 2 hands stuff that she gathered around in car boot sale, lot's of old addidas, nike,... popular to youngster people in London. We spend a whole week together taking picture and listing on ebay. It can be a hell of a lot of work for some item that only reach a few quid while some other can reach a good price. What is really important is to have all the size, colour, brand, condition... filled in so that people using search engine find your product. Then a nice description which show that you sell stuff that you like yourself. And not forgotting mentioning that you have other items.
Sometimes on ebay the not 100% professional looks is more attracting that a totally blend professional.

from the OP

I'd like for my photos of each item to look...well...professional.

your advice aint great. Anyway I'm out too

 

[riddell]

Just a simple, white background, item on hanger, a nice little set up so I don't have to fiddle much and can get it over and done with quickly. It won't be an ugly photo, it'll be simple

OK, this is what you don't get and why you feel everyone is having a go at you when all they are doing is advising you.

Firstly there is nothing wrong with a white background and nothing wrong with an item on a hanger.

None of this is why people are trying to knock some sense into you, and none of this is what makes it an 'ebay photo' as mentioned I shoot hanger shots for a major high street brand on a white background, for others I shoot them as flats, folded and on mannequins. The vast majority are on white backgrounds and these images are used in catalogues, adverts and websites.
These are quality commercial photos, call them simple if you want, but a hell of a lot of work goes into achieving that quality.

But now the important bit, which you don't seem to understand.

> 'so I don't have to fiddle much and can get it over and done with quickly'

Firstly you will have to fiddle, fiddle a lot. Not only getting the garment hanging perfectly, but also with the lighting. You'll continuously need to make adjustments to the lighting as you change garments, colours, fabrics. Trying to shoot with just a single set of settings is what results in 'ebay quality images' at best.

and its not quick either, not to do a proper job. Dependant upon who I'm shooting for and the exact style that they want I can shoot somewhere between about 3 - 7 garments an hour and that's with a stylist helping me. That's pretty much the industry standard, with one large chain there are a dozen of us photographers all achieving a similar speed.

Commercial photography is not easy and requires lots of expensive equipment. Just my basic lighting rig setup that I would use for clothing is in the region of £2500.00 and plus I have other lighting and plus other equipment. You not only need to change the settings on the lights between garments, but also the modifiers, use silks, bounces, flags.

So this leaves you with 3 choices.

1. Employ a genuine professional photographer.
2. Study properly, invest in all the equipment and really learn how to do things the right way. It'll only take a couple of years and about £6K if you are good.
3. Do what you want to do, buy whatever lights you want, but don't come running back because you suddenly find that they don't automatically improve your photography, just by the simple action of owning some cheap lighting.

 

[simonbarker]

Commercial photography is not easy and requires lots of expensive equipment. Just my basic lighting rig setup that I would use for clothing is in the region of £2500.00 and plus I have other lighting and plus other equipment. You not only need to change the settings on the lights between garments, but also the modifiers, use silks, bounces, flags.

So this leaves you with 3 choices.

1. Employ a genuine professional photographer.
2. Study properly, invest in all the equipment and really learn how to do things the right way. It'll only take a couple of years and about £6K if you are good.
3. Do what you want to do, buy whatever lights you want, but don't come running back because you suddenly find that they don't automatically improve your photography, just by the simple action of owning some cheap lighting.

There's a lot of people talking here without listening, yes you're providing good advice in general but 1 and 2 are not practical options so why suggest them to someone who's already made that clear? Depending on the volume it may not even be practical to consider burning so many resources on doing things 'the right way' (as Thomas's post alludes to).

As to point 3 you can buy good equipment if you're patient, no she won't get good results out the door but it's actually a viable option which may be a starting point for her to learn, or we can scream at her you're not listening which will achieve nothing of value. Not to take anything from much of the advice here, she's been given plenty of valid suggestions beyond those three you outline.

 

[mike weeks]

I understand that you all completely disagree with this but please, this is what I'm asking about. I know it 'makes sense' and I understand all about how to 'sell' an item but it'd be wasted time and effort currently so please, can you just accept that it's not something I am willing to consider and would like to turn the focus back onto what I would like.

You have been told how to do it, you do not seem to want to accept that this is the way, before we can run we have to learn to walk, you seem to want to skip the whole process and go straight to the Olympics. As you know it makes sense then please get on with it as obviously guys like myself that have been doing photography longer than you have been alive have absolutely no idea in your opinion and you have to be prepared to accept that we are unwilling to help further.

This is after all a lighting section of a photography forum.

Mike

 

[Andrew harry]

I would have to say I'm totally shocked by the way the author of this post is being spoken to. From what I read, she just wanted some general advice on what she could do considering her personal circumstances. I.e a purely basic requirement. She acknowledged why she didn't feel the advice given would work for her personally, but was totally belittled. I read 4 times she said that she didn't feel continuing this post was appropriate, but yet comments kept coming.

I would say, this is why I personally don't use forums unless recommended.

 

[Phil V]

I would have to say I'm totally shocked by the way the author of this post is being spoken to. From what I read, she just wanted some general advice on what she could do considering her personal circumstances. I.e a purely basic requirement. She acknowledged why she didn't feel the advice given would work for her personally, but was totally belittled. I read 4 times she said that she didn't feel continuing this post was appropriate, but yet comments kept coming.

I would say, this is why I personally don't use forums unless recommended.

Andrew I don't know what thread you're reading, but the question is titled 'best lighting' and she's asked for 'professional looking results'.
If the thread had been titled 'need a bit more light' in the beginners section, and the OP had said the requirement was 'good enough for crappy eBay pics, then lots of very knowledgable people wouldn't have wasted their time and experience.

I'm not defending all of the above, as there's been some nonsense posts too. But the situation is caused by a genuine mismatch of understanding rather than rudeness.

 

[Sydney]

yeah sorry guys, came to the wrong place! I'm not trying to p*** any of you off, I hope you realise that.