Times are changing. Digital cameras and the Internet have opened a range of possibilities for many people to enter the photography field in ways we would never have thought possible ten years ago. With millions of people starting their own businesses online, there is an ever increasing market for professional-grade photography. Some of these entrepreneurs hire professional photographers, while others will try to do it themselves. |
The Shooting Space and Lighting Gear One of the most popular types of product images you'll see online is called a "block-out". Here, the object seems to float against a white background, or may sit on a white surface that fades into a stark white background. This type of shot can be difficult for some photographers to achieve well, even in a large studio using powerful flash units. But here, I'm going to show you how to do it in a 16 x 20 foot kitchen . [figure 1] |
Figure 1 |
Figure 2 |
Figure 3 |
Figure 4 |
Figure 5 |
Figure 6 |
Figure 7 |
Figure 8 | Creating a Reflective Surface I then placed a piece of high gloss white board on top of the backdrop paper on the table. You can find something similar at your local hardware or art supply store. Be sure to choose something that reflects light. White Plexiglass is also a great surface to use. If you can't find any of these materials in your area try a piece of window glass. [figure 8] |
Figure 9 |
Figure 10 |
Figure 11 |
Figure 12 |
Figure 13 | Once I had the cameras positioned, I fired a test shot to see how the balance of light was looking. I didn't use a light meter here, as I figured most who would be shooting like this wouldn't be other. Instead, I'd use the LCD in the camera to review the light levels. [figures 13 & 14] |
Figure 16 | Bouncing Light into the Shadows Next, I decided to add some reflectors to bounce light into the front of the film cameras and increase the exposure value in the shadow areas. I positioned some silver bounce cards on either the side of the set to "kick" light from both the LiteDome® and the background lights back into the shadow areas of the film cameras. [figures 16 & 17] |
Figure 18 | Below, you'll notice that I moved the overhead LiteDome® toward the rear of the camera arrangement slightly in order to get better light bounce into the fill cards. [figure 18] |
Figure 19 |
Figure 20 |
Figure 21 | The Negative Fill For the final touch, I added black cards to either side of the cameras to keep the window light from spilling onto the cameras, as well as to create a "negative fill". Even though my set was designed to project and bounce light from almost every possible angle, I also needed to throw in some light-absorbing black cards in order to help define the chrome edges of the cameras. It's all about balance. [figure 21] |
The Olympus Pen E-P7 is an affordable micro four thirds mirrorless camera with 4K video capabilities, a 20.3MP sensor, and 121 focus points, making it a solid entry-level camera for beginners.
The Panasonic G9 II is a 25.2-megapixel micro four thirds camera with numerous features that make it punch out of its weight class, like 779 AF points, 5.8K video, and weather sealing.
The Fujifilm XT5 is a 40MP mirrorless camera capable of 6.2K video at 30p. With those specs, it’s an ideal choice for photographers needing a camera to pull double duty for imaging and video.
The Canon EOS R100 is an entry-level mirrorless camera introduced in 2023. But just because it’s an entry-level camera doesn’t mean it’s a bare-bones camera. Find out why in this review!
Upgrade your kit in 2024 with the best intermediate camera on the market! The question is, what camera fits the bill? We’ve got three top options for you to choose from in this buyer’s guide.
The best photography jobs right now are a mix of tried-and-true gigs like wedding photography and new jobs highlighting AI’s capabilities, travel, and videography.
The Olympus Pen E-P7 is an affordable micro four thirds mirrorless camera with 4K video capabilities, a 20.3MP sensor, and 121 focus points, making it a solid entry-level camera for beginners.
Starting a photography business is one thing; sustaining your business over a long period of time is another. Use the tips in this professional photography guide to build something with longevity!
The Panasonic G9 II is a 25.2-megapixel micro four thirds camera with numerous features that make it punch out of its weight class, like 779 AF points, 5.8K video, and weather sealing.
Cinematic photography is an interesting genre that combines photographic and videographic skills along with effective storytelling techniques. The result? Highly impactful images!
Newborn photography requires skill, the right gear, and a lot of patience. This beginner’s guide discusses critical topics that will help you be more prepared for before, during, and after the shoot.
To fill the frame means to expand the footprint of the subject in your shot. Get in close, zoom in, crop the image, or use other techniques to bring the subject to the forefront.