product challenge question - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

09/01/2008 07:31:53 PM · #1

Challenge Details: Take a photograph of a product that might appear in a catalog.

There is a difference between a "catalog shot" and a "ad shot" So I am assuming that the challenge is calling for a product catalog shot and a "ad shot" would be a DNMC

kawesttex

Apple iPhone 11 Pro

09/01/2008 07:34:32 PM · #2

If you can take a picture that looks like an ad it should be able to be utilized as a catalog shot!

Trumpeteer4

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

09/01/2008 07:34:56 PM · #3

I think the catalog was more to provide some context than to become a strict guideline. I think any product shot would be fine.

09/01/2008 07:37:00 PM · #4

I want to make sure as there is a huge difference in styling

Lydia

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

09/01/2008 07:43:52 PM · #5

I agree... they're totally different.
A shot for a catalog is not a shot for an ad.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

09/01/2008 07:52:21 PM · #6

Originally posted by LydiaToo:

I agree... they're totally different.
A shot for a catalog is not a shot for an ad.

Perhaps one of you would care to elaborate in just what way(s) you think they are "totally different" -- and exactly why (especially for this challenge) it's important to make the distinction.

Other than catalog shots often having the "product" cut out from the background, and ad shots often placing the product in some context, I can't think of many reasons they'd be different. As someone who sometimes submits shots to stock agencies, I'd try to put images which could be used for either.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

09/01/2008 08:06:52 PM · #7

Definition that I learned in school waaay back

A Product "catalog" shot should be a accurate representation of the product that a customer is going to purchase It should be color matched to the product and really not "embellished" (much). The styling of the shot is going to be much more simple (does not mean boring and flat ... just more simple)

An advertising shot is a inducement. It should capture the viewers interest in the product. It does not have to be accurate on shape size or color.

Message edited by author 2008-09-01 20:10:52.

kawesttex

Apple iPhone 11 Pro

09/01/2008 08:14:21 PM · #8

Originally posted by nomad469:

Well, if I saw an ad for strawberry jam that was purple I doubt the ad would be doing it's job. I think there is more the difference in the crop with the ad having more white space for text, where the catalog pic usually has a seperate text box outside the photo.

Lydia

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

09/01/2008 08:14:32 PM · #9

Originally posted by nomad469:

I agree with

nomad469. But, I suspect that there will be a lot of advertisement shots in the Catalog Challenge.

Jammur

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

09/01/2008 08:15:58 PM · #10

Originally posted by nomad469:

Good analysis.
Thinking in terms of DPC fondness for glitz and glamour, an advertising shot will be probably score better than a "catalog product" shot, in spite of what definition we establish here.

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

09/01/2008 08:18:35 PM · #11

just a quick question then:

WOuld a shot of a 'say' horse eating hay be the correct definition,

or would the bale of hay be the shot that would be correct???

fldave

Pentax K5II

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

09/01/2008 08:31:57 PM · #12

Originally posted by JulietNN:

WOuld a shot of a 'say' horse eating hay be the correct definition,

or would the bale of hay be the shot that would be correct???

Are you wanting to buy hay or a horse?

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

09/01/2008 08:41:21 PM · #13

lol, geesh thanks!!! lololol

okay how about this one:

A can of coke sitting in a studio

or

A can of coke being drunk by some hot chick.

Product or advertisment or is it both

bassbone

Nikon Z8

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120 f/4 S

09/01/2008 08:42:57 PM · #14

Originally posted by JulietNN:

lol, geesh thanks!!! lololol

okay how about this one:

A can of coke sitting in a studio

or

A can of coke being drunk by some hot chick.

Product or advertisment or is it both

Both, but the challenge description stating that it should be in a catalog will likely lead to many DNMC votes...a pity.

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

09/01/2008 09:01:37 PM · #15

umm hmm,

well it could be a catalog for hot chicks that like to drink coke, cos it is diet coke???? =oO

violinist123

09/01/2008 09:05:51 PM · #16

Another week long discussion attempting to define the challenge in the narrowest possible terms, eh? Such fun.

LadyK

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120 f/4 S

09/01/2008 09:06:14 PM · #17

i will beat you all in this challenge!! wah ha!!!

bassbone

Nikon Z8

09/01/2008 09:09:56 PM · #18

Originally posted by violinist123:

Another week long discussion attempting to define the challenge in the narrowest possible terms, eh? Such fun.

A complete pity IMO - the challenge title seems to have been enough - boxing it in so that it fits into a catalog seems a bit narrow - and I worry that DNMC voters will make those who are creative pay

levyj413

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

09/01/2008 09:12:37 PM · #19

Originally posted by bassbone:

Originally posted by JulietNN:
lol, geesh thanks!!! lololol

okay how about this one:

A can of coke sitting in a studio

or

A can of coke being drunk by some hot chick.

Product or advertisment or is it both

Both, but the challenge description stating that it should be in a catalog will likely lead to many DNMC votes...a pity.

Are you kidding? My standard reaction to most catalogue shots is "Does it come with the model?" PLENTY of catalogues use models, whether it's for clothes or not.

For this challenge, I'd recommend you shoot something that makes someone want to buy something. And I'd be willing to bet 99% of the members don't know (and wouldn't care) about technical differences between ads and catalog shots.

LadyK

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

09/01/2008 09:16:05 PM · #20

Originally posted by levyj413:

Originally posted by bassbone:

Originally posted by JulietNN:
lol, geesh thanks!!! lololol

okay how about this one:

A can of coke sitting in a studio

or

A can of coke being drunk by some hot chick.

Product or advertisment or is it both

Both, but the challenge description stating that it should be in a catalog will likely lead to many DNMC votes...a pity.

Are you kidding? My standard reaction to most catalogue shots is "Does it come with the model?" PLENTY of catalogues use models, whether it's for clothes or not.

For this challenge, I'd recommend you shoot something that makes someone want to buy something. And I'd be willing to bet 99% of the members don't know (and wouldn't care) about technical differences between ads and catalog shots.

its the people who get all technical are the ones who destroy your score:/

Techo

Canon EOS-7D

09/01/2008 09:21:44 PM · #21

Originally posted by kawesttex:

If you can take a picture that looks like an ad it should be able to be utilized as a catalog shot!

I think it's the other way around. If it's a catalog shot it could be used as an ad.
I've done some thinking. Take my Ad shot, it's DNMC for catalog and a lot of other Ad shots are too. An ad can also sell a service but for catalog I expect a physical product. For a catalog the actual product has to be shown and not tampered with too much. Most likely shown in full, a grey area though. Sure there can be a setup or a model, but the product has to take most of the focus not the model or props. An ad in theory is supposed to make you want the product or trigger some responce and has more room for a conceptual representation.

Let's take Listerine because I happen to have it sitting on my desk ;)
For an ad, for the shot, imagine a lady showing off her beautiful smile, big teeth smile being the main focus, top part of the face cropped, and in her hand is a colored green liquid. On the bottom left corner they show tiny resized bottle of the actual product. Cheesy huh LOL. An ad but not a catalog shot. An ad can also display a rainbow of flavors in one image, say ice cream, but when looking at the catalog they show each item in it's own image area.

Message edited by author 2008-09-01 21:32:28.

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

09/01/2008 09:32:21 PM · #22

Originally posted by violinist123:

Another week long discussion attempting to define the challenge in the narrowest possible terms, eh? Such fun.

Oh goodness, LIGHTEN UP, I was joking around.

But seriously, so what if people want to discuss something to death, don't click on the link, it is that simple. Don't read the thread. People can do what they want and discuss what they want, when they want to.

violinist123

09/01/2008 09:44:14 PM · #23

Originally posted by JulietNN:

Originally posted by violinist123:
Another week long discussion attempting to define the challenge in the narrowest possible terms, eh? Such fun.

Oh goodness, LIGHTEN UP, I was joking around.

But seriously, so what if people want to discuss something to death, don't click on the link, it is that simple. Don't read the thread. People can do what they want and discuss what they want, when they want to.

You aren't even the OP. Nontheless, extra points for irony.

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

09/01/2008 09:55:43 PM · #24

Originally posted by JulietNN:

Better to debate it now, before entries are in and voting has started; at least in theory. In the end, it won't matter much anyway as there is undoubtedly going to be spillover of debate in the scores thread (attempts to sell a point and sway voters). Always has, always will be...