media cabinet product shoot - DPChallenge Forums

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

10/14/2008 02:47:47 PM · #1

photography is one of my greatest interests but another even more time consuming passion of mine is
woodworking. i've recently finished building a media center cabinet and just finished doing the "product"
shots for it this weekend. (i'm not sure it will be a product actually, that depends on several things.)
my son and i came up with the idea of an arcade machine that looks nice enough to put in your living
room. the design kept evolving to what it is now. anyways i would love some input from my friends here on
two things:

one is the cabinet itself, does it have appeal, do you think it is something that might have a market? i would
love to get input regarding the design and functionality of it.

the other thing i would like to get feedback on is the photography. it seemed like such a struggle to
get these shots. i've been over at the Strobist site studying lighting techniques. one of my biggest problems is
getting light in all the right places without blowing it out in others. also there are so many different angles
going on here. i have various diffusers and reflectors and three off-camera flashes but still i've had to resort
to doging and burning in photoshop to get it close.

anyways, i would love to hear from anyone on this, thanks.

link to pictures

Message edited by author 2008-10-14 23:43:28.

sabphoto

Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+

10/14/2008 03:24:13 PM · #2

ok for the cabinet...LOVE IT! My wife and I are looking for just this type of setup for my computer when I finally retire and get to bring all my stuff home. I have a full size desktop computer that we really don't know what to do with yet. We saw one at Wal-mart that we really like but this is beautiful...how much and when can I get it (although she might like it more in black)? lol.

The lighting and angles of approach all look awesome to me, I kept forgetting that I wasn't looking at an actual catalog. I think you've done a great job!

vxpra

Pentax K100D

10/14/2008 03:32:12 PM · #3

That is some really nice work- both the woodworking and photography.

10/14/2008 03:39:05 PM · #4

Originally posted by sabphoto:

you are literally giving me my first feedback on this. i've been so close to this project that i can't tell if others might like it. thanks for commenting. i haven't come up with a good asking price for this yet. i have so much time in this and i have to review my costs and find a way to streamline the production. but first things first, i need to get feedback before setting up to produce something like this.

thanks

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

10/14/2008 03:43:45 PM · #5

thanks jeff.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

10/14/2008 03:58:38 PM · #6

Very nice media cabinet, Brian. I can see you have taken a lot of time considering the layout. The design looks like Shaker style, very well made and finished to a very high level. I am sure you could sell as many as you could make and I like how versatile it all is!!

The photos are superb, clear and well exposed, showing product detail in a well lit and uncluttered manner. They would grace any upmarket catalogue or bespoke brochure:)

All in all, a very accomplished piece of workmanship, from concept through design and build, to advertising material. Well Done:))

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/14/2008 05:03:09 PM · #7

Really amazing work!! I will probably send the link for this thread to my brother so he can drool with envy. I can't offer any help with the lighting - I think it looks fine and shows off the product well. I'm very impressed with the way the cabinet can be used - you did a great job showing the versatility!

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

10/14/2008 05:28:56 PM · #8

Originally posted by Melethia:

thanks for responding Deb. yeah send links. this project represents a considerable investment on my part. the more responses i get the better for me to make the next decision on this.

brian

vxpra

Pentax K100D

10/14/2008 06:04:39 PM · #9

Coming back to give you a better set of comments. My browser kept shutting down on me, so it was a little hit and miss.

The work looks first rate. What kind of wood?

From a sale stand point one photo that I would like to see is one that illustrates this "tilt-up panel behind it raises allowing the table to push back for storage" this is only because so few people read descriptions, and quite a few people are going to miss the tilt up panel.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/14/2008 06:36:57 PM · #10

Originally posted by vxpra:

thanks for the second look! that cabinet in the photos is oak. You are kinda proving your point about people not reading descriptions. :), that's cool.
i see what you mean though. maybe some less static looking shots, like a picture of someone actually lifting the panel and sliding the tray back. good suggestion. if i actually get to the point of production i may do a video. i know that would have a better effect considering this is a audio/video product. thanks again.

neophyte

Nikon D810

10/14/2008 06:37:23 PM · #11

Very nice work. I was a custom cabinet maker/carpenter/millwright for 15 years. Your piece shows great planning and hardware work. Did you drill through a solid pice of oak to mount the speakers on the doors or did you build a box with quarter sawn end grain?
Photos look good too.

Message edited by author 2008-10-14 18:42:09.