Product Photography Advice Needed

11/07/2011 10:14:06 AM · #1

So I was recently offered a Product Shot job and I have no idea where to begin.
I have no lighting equipment, no space and no clue what to do.

So, A few things I need some help with.

1) Pricing. What do you normally charge for a Product shoot? Do you charge per session? Per Product?
2) How many pictures per item do you give to the client? CD? Web?
3) What is your typical turn around time?
4) What lighting setup would you recommend? What lens/s would you recommend?
5) Do you normally do the shoot in studio or in Client location?
6) Contract / Release... Do you have your client sign a contract or release type agreement?
7) Ownership of photos. I guess this is included in the contract, but who usually owns the photos, you or the client?

and Finally.. If in the event I cannot do this is there anyone local to Queens, Brookly, NYC area interested in taking this one?

Thanks!

-Eli

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

11/07/2011 10:47:35 AM · #2

Originally posted by IAmEliKatz:

It all depends on the usage. What are you shooting? Are you shooting just the products on a plain background or are you shooting them in scenes? If the former, once you get the lighting setup, it's pretty much a production line, the latter makes for a lot more work.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

11/07/2011 10:59:01 AM · #3

What are you photographing? I do the product photography where I work, but it's not exactly small items.

For the full views of the machine, I pretty much blast it with light, since I want to knock out the background. I use a 9" wide roll white background paper. Two umbrellas at about 7:30 and 4:30, a flash bouncing off the suspended ceiling, and one on the floor behind the machine, illuminating the background.

On the detail shots, I'm not a lighting expert, so I generally put my flash on a TTL cable and experiment with different angles to get something that works.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

11/07/2011 10:59:41 AM · #4

Originally posted by IAmEliKatz:

So I was recently offered a Product Shot job and I have no idea where to begin.
I have no lighting equipment, no space and no clue what to do.

i'm just curious as to why you were offered this job and why you accepted it? seriously, if you have "no clue", did you tell them that, or are did you think that there wasn't that much to it so that you could just get some tips and wing it? does the client just not care about taking this type of risk, or are they just too cheap to hire it out, or do they also have "no clue"? what are their expectations? how much effort is it going to take you to meet those expectations? is it going to be worth it?

it's not that i mean to be coming off as an a-hole, it's that it still boggles my mind how clients and shooters put themselves into this type of situation. it's not that it's rocket science, but professional photography is hardly automatic...

11/07/2011 11:08:25 AM · #5

@Spork, It will all be for a website so probably plain white background.
@Spiff, Emergency Lighting Equipment. Ironic Huh?
@Skip, I did not accept the job, yet. I know that professional photography is "hardly automatic" and that every job needs its own attention to detail as does everything in life. I don't know what the clients expectations are but I am sure he does not want something done "halfassed", and just as well, I don't like anything done halfassed. Either do it right the first time or don't do it at all.

Everyone has to start somewhere, so I figured I would do some research on the matter so that in the event I am offered an opportunity like this in the future, I can hopefully respond that I ~~can indeed~~ am able to confidently take the job.

And since more than likely I cannot take this job, I figured I would let some of the NY locals throw their hat in the ring.

Message edited by author 2011-11-07 11:09:03.

11/07/2011 11:51:39 AM · #6

Originally posted by Skip:

Originally posted by IAmEliKatz:
So I was recently offered a Product Shot job and I have no idea where to begin.
I have no lighting equipment, no space and no clue what to do.

i'm just curious as to why you were offered this job and why you accepted it? seriously, if you have "no clue", did you tell them that, or are did you think that there wasn't that much to it so that you could just get some tips and wing it? does the client just not care about taking this type of risk, or are they just too cheap to hire it out, or do they also have "no clue"? what are their expectations? how much effort is it going to take you to meet those expectations? is it going to be worth it?

it's not that i mean to be coming off as an a-hole, it's that it still boggles my mind how clients and shooters put themselves into this type of situation. it's not that it's rocket science, but professional photography is hardly automatic...

You forgot something: :) <---- (that's in bold)

edit to add mine: ;) I wouldn't want to be perceived as rude, arrogant, or so damn superior.

Message edited by author 2011-11-07 11:53:37.

11/07/2011 11:54:51 AM · #7

Eli, I'll pm you or post here later with some useful info for someone just starting out when I have the time. I'm a little busy shooting some surfboards and surfing products right now.

edit to add: In the meantime check out some of my product shots that were done without conventional lighting.

Don't be discouraged by the so-called pros. I started shooting for this company when I had absolutely no experience and no lights. For the last couple of years now I have been their one and only product and action photographer. We sort of grew up together and all has worked out well.

I'm taking a lunch break right now. I'll give you all of the details later after I'm finished with today's shoot.

Message edited by author 2011-11-07 12:00:15.

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

11/07/2011 12:11:40 PM · #8

Originally posted by Skip:

... but professional photography is hardly automatic...

I thought the little green P on the mode dial stood for "Professional" ;)

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

11/07/2011 12:14:01 PM · #9

Originally posted by Spork99:

Originally posted by Skip:
... but professional photography is hardly automatic...

I thought the little green P on the mode dial stood for "Professional" ;)

i wouldn't know, as i'm only a "so-called" pro...

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/07/2011 12:19:45 PM · #10

Originally posted by Skip:

Originally posted by Spork99:

Originally posted by Skip:
... but professional photography is hardly automatic...

I thought the little green P on the mode dial stood for "Professional" ;)

i wouldn't know, as i'm only a "so-called" pro...

So I see...meh.

Nothing like a little game of Ready, Fire, Aim huh?

bmatt17

Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel

11/07/2011 12:30:22 PM · #11

I have 4 of these bulbs, and a 85watt version of the same.

I also have a cheap umbrella from amazon. To get this shot I used 1 27watt, 1 85 watt and my flash bounced off the ceiling. The umbrella was used for the 85, to light the front "Rubik's" text. Other than the 430EX II it's a very cheap light setup that works pretty good for smaller shots. If your doing something bigger, a few more bulbs and cheap umbrellas would get you started. You can always upgrade to nicer stuff later.

Message edited by author 2011-11-07 12:32:56.

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

11/07/2011 12:52:18 PM · #12

Originally posted by Spork99:

Originally posted by Skip:

Originally posted by Spork99:

Originally posted by Skip:
... but professional photography is hardly automatic...

I thought the little green P on the mode dial stood for "Professional" ;)

i wouldn't know, as i'm only a "so-called" pro...

So I see...meh.

Nothing like a little game of Ready, Fire, Aim huh?

Simply returning fire after quite some time of being on the receiving end of the shots. (It's a longer story than what's in this thread.)

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

11/07/2011 01:11:10 PM · #13

robert, why don't you just go out and buy yourself a new pair of panties, since you can't get the knot out of the ones that you were wearing... :-D

11/07/2011 01:57:45 PM · #14

Skip, if you care to remember or to look back through the threads, I only respond to your crappy attitude in your posts. I have never started anything with you. I simply stand up to you and your condescending, 'I'm better than thou' position towards others. If you would like me to start cutting and pasting all of your negative posts to remind you I'd be more than happy to pull up those bookmarks.

You think that following up your rude remarks with a smiley in bold makes everything rude that you have said okay. How about I smack you across the face and make it okay by following it up with a bold smile. Would that be okay with you?

Why don't you just back off the people who are not yet as good as you are? You have the respect of many of the users of this site but too often you reply in snide and smartass ways that are not helpful at all. These people who ask for help don't need your bad attitude. They could certainly benefit from your wisdom and experience if you would share that instead, but you seem to have grown old, tired, and cynical.

You hardly enter challenges anymore. What are you here for other than to promote yourself and your business if you aren't entering challenges and helping people in the forums? Is business so bad for you that you are pissed off at the world and the up and coming photographers that you have to slam them in the forums?

If you will back off with your negative attitude (even with the bold smileys) then I won't have to buy myself new panties. I'll be comfortable in my old panties and I will never feel the urge to speak up to you again. But keep it up and I'll propagate the forums with all of the negative crap that you have spewed towards others and we will all see who always seems to pipe up first.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

11/07/2011 02:08:10 PM · #15

I'm done with derailing this thread. If anybody wants to continue in this recent direction then PM me or call me.

EL-ROI

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

11/07/2011 02:33:46 PM · #16

Originally posted by Skip:

robert, why don't you just go out and buy yourself a new pair of panties, since you can't get the knot out of the ones that you were wearing... :-D

You forgot to bold it... :-D

Hope that wasn't harsh!! ;o}

11/07/2011 03:04:17 PM · #17

Um....

11/07/2011 03:29:52 PM · #18

I guess somebody needed to vent... yikes.

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

11/07/2011 03:59:05 PM · #19

Eli, PM sent. Now would be a good time.

yanko

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/07/2011 04:05:34 PM · #20

Originally posted by yakatme:

Skip, if you care to remember or to look back through the threads, I only respond to your crappy attitude in your posts. I have never started anything with you.

Does today not count? Skip's post wasn't directed at you yet you felt the need to attack him anyway. If you have a beef with him perhaps a PM would have been better? Or maybe you just wanted an audience when you insulted him? Although now that I think about it... the comment about not listening to the "so called pros" might have been directed at yourself. You were quick to offer up your credentials and portifolio so maybe only the amateurs should weigh in?

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

11/07/2011 04:05:34 PM · #21

Back to the subject at hand...

You need to assess a few things:

- Your ability to create the images given the necessary equipment.

If you feel your up to the task,

- What is the necessary equipment?

- What do you need that you don't have on hand?

- Can you rent or buy said equipment?

- Will you be able to get familiar with the new equipment in time to produce quality images on time?

Then, back to your specific concerns:

Originally posted by IAmEliKatz:

1) Pricing. What do you normally charge for a Product shoot? Do you charge per session? Per Product?

What's their budget? How much are you able to do the work for? How long do you thing each image will take?

Originally posted by IAmEliKatz:

2) How many pictures per item do you give to the client? CD? Web?

Depends on their usage and how many they want to license. Typically, they'll want one per product if it's a simple catalog shot. Your specific deliverables should be laid out in the contract or the information the client gives you when they ask for your proposal.

Originally posted by IAmEliKatz:

3) What is your typical turn around time?

Depends on the complexity of the setup, changeover, processing and admin time. When I used to shoot products for Target ads, once I got the lighting set, it was just a matter of switching the product in front of the lens and taking the image. (Unless I needed to change film batches or the processor screwed up or something like that) If I was shooting a whole set, it might take 3-4 days to get the set put together and the props gathered. Add on another day to get the lighting set up and then a day to shoot.

Originally posted by IAmEliKatz:

4) What lighting setup would you recommend? What lens/s would you recommend?

That's all going to depend on what the product is and what shots they want. Maybe just a basic light tent. Maybe more.

Originally posted by IAmEliKatz:

5) Do you normally do the shoot in studio or in Client location?

Wherever they want. In studio is cheaper for them because it's less work for me.

Originally posted by IAmEliKatz:

6) Contract / Release... Do you have your client sign a contract or release type agreement?

Yes

Originally posted by IAmEliKatz:

7) Ownership of photos. I guess this is included in the contract, but who usually owns the photos, you or the client?

You own the copyright unless you do something stupid in your contract. They license the use of those images for a set time. They can renew that license of course for a fee. Your usage may be restricted due to their control of the image of their trademark, but you should be able to use it for self-promotion. If not, ask for more money.

Message edited by author 2011-11-07 16:06:01.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

11/07/2011 04:07:09 PM · #22

Well, all the "engaging in personalities" (as they say on Perry Mason) can all stop now. Please post on-topic or not at all. Thank you.

If you are shooting small products, consider a light tent/box, which will help light the object with diffuse light from all sides, to help eliminate (most) shadows and reflections.

Another tip for reducing shadows is to put the object on a piece of (frosted?) glass, and light the object from below as well as above.

If you are photographing small objects on a white/solid background, learn how to create a "clipping path" around the oject, which will let the graphic artist place the object "on top" of another image without the background getting in the way.

Message edited by author 2011-11-07 16:08:39.

Giles

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/07/2011 04:10:31 PM · #23

if its for emergency lighting arent you going to have to photograph it in the dark showing what it does? as well as a general product shot?

CeeZee

Nikon D300

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Nikon

12/07/2011 11:23:39 AM · #24

"I have no idea where to begin. I have no lighting equipment, no space and no clue what to do."

Good luck. I would never have the audacity to charge someone for giving me the opportunity to learn on the job. If all goes well, you've lucked out and hopefully learned a lesson. If not, you can kiss that part of your career goodbye!

(Since your original post was a month ago, how did it go?)