Pre-Shoot Preparation
Being a professional photographer based in Dallas, I can attest to the patience and diligence necessary for taking great product images. One of the most challenging shoots I've conducted involved dog grooming shears, so I wanted to showcase a few moments of the process with you here. I will outline the time consuming and meticulous workflow that was required to create these images, from prepping to shooting to editing. There's a considerable amount of effort that is required to create high-quality product photographs even before the shoot begins.
Setting Up For the Shoot
The first hurdle I had to resolve was focusing on getting the set fully prepared for the shoot. In preparation for the shoot, I created a perfectly parallel plane of focus to photograph the blades of the dog grooming shears. I aligned my tripod so that I could shoot directly down on the shears. I then had to make a few tweaks to my standard setup to avoid putting too much stress on the tripod's legs. For the sake of efficiency in post-production, it was also essential the shears remained perfectly still between shots.
Lighting
This is a different aspect of light that I will discuss in greater depth in a later article. In general, however, I needed to think about any problems that might arise when taking pictures of reflective surfaces. For instance, I had to check to make sure the handle wasn't creating any unwelcome shadows and that the blades weren't reflecting too much light. I began by taking some practice shots to guarantee adequate lighting and sharpness of the shears. I fiddled with the lighting and placement of the shears until I was satisfied with the shot.
Attention to Detail
Next, I took a variety of shots, from different angles and compositions, to give me an idea of what would give the best impression of the product for potential customers. Our clients invest a lot in their products, their services and their brands. We at Photography By Misty treat our clients' businesses like they were our own establishments. I made sure to capture the unique features of the shears, such as the blades and the handle, and any specifics that the client wanted to showcase his elaborate product - down to the minute details.
Whenever photographing reflective products, I must watch for any smudges or dust that might have accumulated on the shears during the shoot. The product always show signs of my handling. Between each and every shot, I wiped off the gear and the surface I was using with a microfiber cloth. It's the only method for guaranteeing that the finished version appears as appealing as it possibly can.
Whether you create your own product or work with a company which manufacturers parts or products, using professional photography services is imperative. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have about product photography. Even if you decide to go elsewhere, we’d like the opportunity to educate you on what to look for in great photography.
Reach out to us at 214.235.3239 or Misty@PhotographyByMisty.com
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