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DPChallenge Forums >> Individual Photograph Discussion >> My first product photography. Okay for eBay?
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04/08/2005 07:48:26 PM · #1


This is my first attempt at product photography on a "paid" level. Someone I know who runs a copper metal working shop asked me to photograph these drains so he can sell them on eBay to go with copper sinks.

Copper sinks are quite expensive and I wanted to make the drains look like desirable objects so that people buying an expensive new copper sink would want one of these rather than a stainless steel drain.

Do you think this picture looks okay?
04/08/2005 07:49:42 PM · #2
The picture looks great for product photography.
04/08/2005 07:49:57 PM · #3
Yep, it looks more than OK.
04/08/2005 07:52:50 PM · #4
Thanks, guys - it is really neat when someone asks you to take pictures and is willing to PAY! I really wanted to do a good job and make these drains looks appealing.
04/08/2005 07:53:26 PM · #5
Excellent job, Sammie. It shows all the detail clearly and a great angle for maximum perspective. Good for you!
04/08/2005 07:57:03 PM · #6
Excellent job, Sammie.

I thought they sold everything but the kitchen sink on ebay. ;-)

I'd buy some of these, but I hate throwing my money down the drain.

...ok, I'll stop. :)
04/08/2005 08:16:29 PM · #7
Originally posted by kpriest:

I thought they sold everything but the kitchen sink on ebay. ;-)

I'd buy some of these, but I hate throwing my money down the drain.

...ok, I'll stop. :)


You are so funny! I wish I could think of such clever things to say.
04/08/2005 08:18:33 PM · #8
Originally posted by Sammie:

Thanks, guys - it is really neat when someone asks you to take pictures and is willing to PAY! I really wanted to do a good job and make these drains looks appealing.


Yes it is and these are more than Ebay usually sees, trust me. The only other thing I would do is make the copper shine. If I were to look at the top of the drain and imagine that in my sink I would seriously lean toward the Stainless Steel for shine factor. Get some copper cleaner and really make it sparkle.

Deannda
04/08/2005 08:24:08 PM · #9
Originally posted by Neuferland:

Yes it is and these are more than Ebay usually sees, trust me. The only other thing I would do is make the copper shine. If I were to look at the top of the drain and imagine that in my sink I would seriously lean toward the Stainless Steel for shine factor. Get some copper cleaner and really make it sparkle.

Deannda


Acutally, that was what he wanted me to emphasize - the patina on the lip of the drain. People who are into having these handmade copper sinks supposedly want Patina with a capital P. The handmade copper sinks themselves look kind of grungy like this and that is why a stainless steel drain looks so odd when installed in them. It doesn't go with the sink at all.

I'm also going to bring a sink home and take a picture of the drain in the sink. Tried it in the shop but the lighting was really dreadful and I couldn't get a good picture.
04/08/2005 08:31:21 PM · #10
Originally posted by Sammie:

You are so funny! I wish I could think of such clever things to say.


Well, I liked the clever title you used on your ribbon winner:


Tell you what, you let me have your yellow ribbon and I'll give you a free copy of my future bestseller: "I wish I could think of such clever things to say" (the title just came to me)

Might even be a casette series to go with it. ;-)

Be sure to post a shot of the copper sink when you can. Should be interesting.
04/08/2005 08:44:00 PM · #11
Originally posted by kpriest:

Tell you what, you let me have your yellow ribbon and I'll give you a free copy of my future bestseller: "I wish I could think of such clever things to say" (the title just came to me)

Might even be a casette series to go with it. ;-)

Be sure to post a shot of the copper sink when you can. Should be interesting.


Tempting, but I think I'll refrain for now! It will probably be a long time before I ever get another ribbon so I'd better hang on to the one I have!

However, I could do with a book about clever things to say - I only think of them after the fact!

Will post a picture of the sink with the drain after I get it taken. I really don't like the copper sinks very much myself because of the same things Deanna said about the drain - they just look kind of dirty and grungy.
04/08/2005 09:37:14 PM · #12
Originally posted by Sammie:



Acutally, that was what he wanted me to emphasize - the patina on the lip of the drain. People who are into having these handmade copper sinks supposedly want Patina with a capital P. The handmade copper sinks themselves look kind of grungy like this and that is why a stainless steel drain looks so odd when installed in them. It doesn't go with the sink at all.

I'm also going to bring a sink home and take a picture of the drain in the sink. Tried it in the shop but the lighting was really dreadful and I couldn't get a good picture.


Oh, guess I'll never get a copper sink, LOL!

In that case, WONDERFUL JOB! Much nicer than most stuff you see on Ebay!

Deannda
04/08/2005 11:12:36 PM · #13
The pictures look great. Another thing that you may want to consider (but is entirely up to the person who contracted you) is profile/headlong shots. People sometimes tend to like shots from the side/top/etc so that they can see all the details. Just my 2c.
04/08/2005 11:37:25 PM · #14
Looks great to me. And that's my DPC-standards opinion--for eBay it's even better. Before reading the thread I would have recommended polishing the copper, but now I know better. ;-)

Nordlys
//cosmos.ucsd.edu/~jbordner

P.S. Are you a "Kansas" fan by any chance? ;-)
04/08/2005 11:41:41 PM · #15
Looks like a great shot for Ebay. I like the glow or slight reflection off the ground. I think it's very classy.
04/09/2005 01:15:42 AM · #16
Originally posted by Sammie:



This is my first attempt at product photography on a "paid" level. Someone I know who runs a copper metal working shop asked me to photograph these drains so he can sell them on eBay to go with copper sinks.

Copper sinks are quite expensive and I wanted to make the drains look like desirable objects so that people buying an expensive new copper sink would want one of these rather than a stainless steel drain.

Do you think this picture looks okay?


It's pretty nice, way better than the usual e-bay image. But if you look at it closely you'll see that in the head-on drain, the actual copper rim is OOF and the point of focus is on the stainless grid deeper in the drain. I'd reshoot with more DOF. As a rule, a product shot thrives on sharp-as-a-tack DOF throughout the entire image. As long as you're reshooting, see if you can more luminosity to the grey on the left side of the field...

Robt.
04/09/2005 01:38:58 AM · #17
Thanks everyone for all your kind comments and helpful suggestions!
04/09/2005 01:46:02 AM · #18
One more suggestion, perhaps useful, perhaps not, but you may want to include a ruler or coin or something of known size in there so people know without reading just how big they are. I say this in part because they look tiny to me. At least half the size of a normal sink drain.
04/09/2005 01:53:02 AM · #19
Originally posted by TechnoShroom:

One more suggestion, perhaps useful, perhaps not, but you may want to include a ruler or coin or something of known size in there so people know without reading just how big they are. I say this in part because they look tiny to me. At least half the size of a normal sink drain.


Very good idea.
04/09/2005 01:54:38 AM · #20
I'm not sure that's such a great idea, it will make the shot look cheesy, and anyone who's seriously seeking drains will of course read the specs if they are interested...

Robt.
04/09/2005 02:12:34 AM · #21
Originally posted by bear_music:

I'm not sure that's such a great idea, it will make the shot look cheesy, and anyone who's seriously seeking drains will of course read the specs if they are interested...

Robt.


This is true, too. I'll ask the man who is selling the drains what he thinks.
04/09/2005 03:22:58 AM · #22
Maybe an image of the sink in the back ground that these copper pieces go with would be better then the ruler or something showing for size..Just a thought.....You can always use photo shop to show them in different colors while clicking the mouse in a lounge chair.... :) You know like the commercials or where they ask :Can I see that in a different color? Just kidding Great photo..

Just curious :)
More images on ebay are starting to get better..
Is that because a lot of photographers or computer users are on there making them better or is it because digital and tuturials are improving?


04/09/2005 07:09:59 AM · #23
How about if you polished one and not the other? That way, people who like the patina will look and people who like the shiny will look.

just a thought...

d
04/09/2005 08:12:15 AM · #24
Cassette??? Put it on DVD with a CD companion.

I mean cassettes are so 1980's!

Originally posted by kpriest:

Originally posted by Sammie:

You are so funny! I wish I could think of such clever things to say.


Well, I liked the clever title you used on your ribbon winner:


Tell you what, you let me have your yellow ribbon and I'll give you a free copy of my future bestseller: "I wish I could think of such clever things to say" (the title just came to me)

Might even be a casette series to go with it. ;-)

Be sure to post a shot of the copper sink when you can. Should be interesting.

04/09/2005 08:50:31 AM · #25
hmm... as a qualified plumber with 10 years experience, and specialized in restoration of bathrooms and kitchens, I would NEVER install a copper/brass drain pipe, it corrodes quicly and all service gets very difficult because the brass is fragile and it gets easily damaged if you use any tools on it.

ceramic sink and a plastic or stainless steel drain is the way to go, it´s easy to clean, lasts a lifetime, and all the great designers are using ceramic in their designs, like Philippe Starck (www.philippe-starck.com)
one ot the greatest designers of our time :)
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