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Welcome to Video 2! I hope you love this breakdown of common issues when it comes to product photography. Let me know what challenges you're having with your product photos below!
Here is a direct link to the quiz mentioned in the video! π https://www.amytakespictures.com/diagnose
Iβm loving that thereβs almost a formula arising, that has room for the creativity, but still gives me basic outline of how to get a great photo.
Nice video!
On the quiz, my top 3 struggles are: lighting, editing, using my camera. Yep... all true! π
Glad you enjoyed the video! And I'm happy to hear the quiz helped clarify your specific areas that need attention so you can focus your time exactly where you need to for the biggest impact. π
Hi
I just finished watching the second video, it was very informative!
I am wondering though if you have examples of photos of larger product taken farther away? All of your examples show small product photos close up
Thanks in advance, and I am looking forward to tomorrow's video
Tova
I learned lots today. I am heading over to take the quiz. Maybe even take new photos with my new knowledge. Thanks, Amy
Glad you enjoyed it Barbara!
Some good pointers, but I need to do a deep dive into HOW to correct my photos, find a consistent style, lighting, etc. Hoping some of that will be covered tomorrow!
I totally get that! To deep dive into those topics, the teaching is a lot more involved and requires breaking down techniques, clear step-by-step instruction, demos, and diagrams - a lot more than I can cover in a 25 minute video. But - GREAT news - on Thursday, I'm opening my new Makers' Academy of Product Photography that offers classes in all of those topics and more. I created MAPP in consultation with my large community of makers, so I know you're going love it! Stay tuned.
Great information today. Thank you for showing what the photos should not look like when edited alongside a correctly edited photo. It helps to know what to look for. I'm heading over to the quiz to diagnose my photos!
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it. π
Thank you for this video. In one phtotoshoot I had problem with the packaging of the products because it was golden glossy color mixed with parts of mat (non glossy) golden and navy blue color effect, and the font was also mat navy blue color. So no matter of the lightening it was difficult to catch the real color packaging.
Yikes! That sounds like a tricky combination indeed.
I had to giggle after I took the quiz - 4 areas had identical numbers. Which reinforces my belief that I have a LOT of learning to do about product photography. Thanks for these videos.
At 7:15 the book at an angle distorting shape vs straight on. The photo at an angle seems to show a rainbow sheen on the lettering whereas the straight on version just looks like black lettering. I'm wondering how you'd take the photo meant to show off the colour of the lettering? I think it would be just one photo within the product page showing different angles
Lighting, lighting, lighting is my big problem (and of course many other factors). How do you compensate for one minute there is sunlight the next minute it's gone? I really struggle with a controlled lighting environment. Tips, please!
I struggle with light, Iβm in England and itβs usually quite dull. But when we do get sun itβs full sun!
Also all your photos so far have been quite muted and calm, my items are bright and fun - any tips or advice for colourful photos.
Thanks x
Hi Amy, thank you for putting things so simply and for inspiring me to do better! Is there any way to see Video 1 as I didn't get the link?
Thanks Amy, another great video. I am really looking forward to delving deeper into creativity in the next video.
I have enjoyed your courses because I can definitely say I always tended (and still do sometimes) to be guilty of the camera pillow effect β overfilling the frame.
I appreciate the examples of how the photos should look along side those that need some help.
I am really enjoying all of the knowledge that you have shared so far. So much great info. The problem I have is that my products need to be mounted on a wall, so I am limited on where I can do this. In almost every scenario, I have lighting issues which create shadows....even with extra lighting. I'm hoping tomorrow helps address how I can correct this.
Hi Kerri! Glad you're enjoying the videos. π The videos don't directly address the "how-to" of specific lighting challenges (there's just so much to cover when it comes to product photography, it's impossible to cover it all in this video series) but there's lots more to come and I think you'll still walk away with lots of great ideas.
Thanks so much for another great video, Amy! A lot of what you cover in this video rings true for me.
My biggest problem at the moment is a mix of some of the things you talk about... I can compose a pretty decent shot (I'm sure they could be better, but they're not baaaad), and I've figured out the best time of day to set up a shoot by the window (using white boards to reflect the light back and minimise shadow). I can also edit my photos using Lightroom until I'm pretty happy with them. But then, when I pull the photos (max size JPGS or TIFFs) into other documents (for example to create my packaging labels), the colour balance changes. And I seem to have no control at all over how the image prints!!! Will your MAPP course cover things like this? Thanks so much. Looking forward to video 3!
Hi Tamara! The Product Photo Editing class in MAPP would be great for you. It sounds like the colour profile might not be embedding properly or at all, and that's really important to get right when it comes to products. Enjoy video 3 and let me know if you have any further questions about MAPP!
Loving these videos. Do you have any lighting techniques for glass? I am a glass artist, and transparent is a tough item to shoot.
Thank you. Working on creating more fun life style images for my jewelry.
-Cheers, - Bronwen
Hey Bronwen! I have a reel on Instagram that might help π Glass is tricky, but I hope that helps. ππΏ
I took the quiz and photo styling and lighting came up top. My products are book folds and resin pieces mainly coasters and I never know how to photograph them from which angle especially with the coasters as they are flat and should I have a cup on one ??? I have so many questions π€£ great video today and looking forward to tomorrowβs
Thank you π
I hope the other videos have helped sparked some inspiration. I could see a flat lay with a cup on a coaster in the corner, but featuring a coaster next to it with no cup on it. I hope that makes sense!
I struggle terribly with lighting for my photos! Especially my tumblers. Taking good styled photos is sooo hard. I have a light box and the lights always reflect onto whatever I am photographing, even despite putting velum paper above. Would LOVE tips on lighting and what are the best lights to use (I cannot do natural light from a window as my house sits wonky and I don't get any good light from windows-going outside to the patio is even darker than inside for me-UGH!!)
Hello Karen! I recommend avoiding the light boxes with the built-in lights. They are so limited and rarely provide the kind of control you need over your lighting. For reflective materials, I recommend a light tent and separate LED light panels. You can check out all my equipment recommendations here. Hope that helps!
Great video Amy, putting good and bad photos next to each other really helped me understand why lighting, styling, etc. is so important.
I will have to try taking some photos in natural light then compare them to my photos taken in my light box, though living in the UK that may prove difficult since our natural light is mostly grey with no sunshine.
Looking forward to Video 3 to find out ways to put my creativity into the photos as my creativity is shown in the jewellery I make.
I'm glad you enjoyed it and it gave you some ideas of some new things to try. π
*quietly removes vignette and slinks away shamefaced
Haha, hey, no judgment here! Every step toward better photos is a good one! π
Thanks again!!! This was very valuable information. I would be interested what are the best editing tools to use for smartphone?
Lightroom!