'Product' photos...

[Chez]

I decided to advertise a lens on an auction site, so thought I would have a go at getting some better quality pics to advertise it with.

I bought one of the mini-lighting studio things from Maplins a while back and thought it would be worth giving it a go.

I set it up with the grey background and used my D70 and 70-200mm VR lens with no flash.

I positioned 3 spotlights - one either side and one above, all shining onto the outside of the white sides..

Here's the results....not posting for a 'wow' factor, but would appreciate some comments/advice/tips as this is the first time I've ever really played with lighting of subjects...

http://richard-chesterton.com/Photos/Ebay/Lenses/28_100/28_100_side_s.jpg

http://richard-chesterton.com/Photos/Ebay/Lenses/28_100/28_100_front_element_s.jpg

Thanks
Chez

[CT]

That's not bad at all Chez. Try to just adjust your contrast a little, - get the lens body looking a little 'blacker'.

Do you have a link for that mini studio thing? :D

[Chez]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=38260&TabID=1&source=15&World ID=&doy=25m4

I will have a play with it...

I'm not sure whether it's my monitor here, or my monitor at work, but my images always look a lot darker at work... I suspect it is the work monitor though, as I use Dell 2405FPWs at home and have calibrated them (as best as i can until I buy a calibration device, anyway!)

[Chez]

Like this?

http://richard-chesterton.com/Photos/Ebay/Lenses/28_100/28_100_side_s_2.jpg

EDIT - this looks different because I went back to the raw file for this, but the first is just a crop of this one with the magenta hue taken out..

[Chez]

I went back and re-did this one as well...I like it more now...not sure it's better as a product photo, but I love the red effect in the middle of the lens...

http://richard-chesterton.com/Photos/Ebay/Lenses/28_100/28_100_front_element_s_2.jpg

[CT]

It looks much better Chez. You couldn't go much darker, it's about right. If you look at the milling around the edge of the rear lens cap in the first shot you can just still see detail (which you wouldn't if you went darker) so you're about bang on with it and the 'product' looks much more appealing.

Thanks for the link! 8)

[Steve]

I have seen much worse "product" phots on Ebay from so called pro sites and sellers. The adjusted images are spot on and show the detail required to allow potential customers to view any damage or the quality which you maintain your equipment in. I would bet that with photos of this quality you would attract the buyers much more that the people who just cant be bothered. A little time and effort should return much more funds and make it all worthwhile.

EosD also has the maplins Mini Light studio as well and loves the results it allows, the shots on the front of the main site where taken with that setup. He is supposed to be writing a mini review for the site when he gets a free minute :lol: