Product photography for website

[mrben123]

Hello,

I need to get some pictures for my website. I'm selling 4 different drinks (in glass bottles).

A friend of the missus has offered the use of her expensive camera. Does anyone know whether it's possible for a complete amateur to take photos that would be up to scratch? I really would like a good finish.

Alternatively, I've found a studio in town (Manchester) that charges £15 p/hour with an additional charge of £15 p/hour if you want a photographer too. I would have to take it for a minimum of 4 hours.

 

[Metalfrogboss]

Hi, it is possible to take your own images for the web, but when I shoot I have already in mind the website I am going to be designing or developing, so you might want to think about that. The basics are:
1. Use as high a resolution as possible.
2. Ensure that once you have taken the picture you download to your PC/MAC.
3. Use a program like Photoshop, GIMP, Paintshop Pro to change the resolution to 72dpi (Dots Per Inch) which is web resolution. This ensures that you keep clarity of the image.
Normally in most graphic packages you can 'save for web' or 'save for web and devices' as an optiion. This will show you how much the photo has shrunk from the original image.
4.Take product images from many different angles to ensure you have a gallery of images and thumbnails, not just one! People want as much detail as possible.
Other than that keep a steady hand and try to make the shot interesting. Think about 'lifestyle' images for web banners, as well as physical product images.
I hope that this helps you.

 

[dmsims]

Yes you can but you will need to "invest" in some material (colour of you choice) for a background tent and some white board to control the light

Place the product inside the tent to prevent unwanted reflections and keep the camera on a tripod

 

[Nuno]

If it is glass bottles have it done by a pro. You need someone with speciality skills and kit which having-a-go with an ebay tent won't give.
The cost of the camera won't make a huge (if any) difference to a 72dpi optimized shot for web.
(The tents are great for standard products bur glass is another thing altogether.)
I'd check out these people at the higher end of the range http://www.prodoto.com/product-photography/ or these people who are amazingly cheap http://www.manchesterphotographysolutions.com/

 

[Metalfrogboss]

Yes you can but you will need to "invest" in some material (colour of you choice) for a background tent and some white board to control the light

Place the product inside the tent to prevent unwanted reflections and keep the camera on a tripod

Good advice!

 

[owas]

You may find this link useful,

https://www.modahaus.com/wine-bottle-photography-with-1-light/

 

[Nuno]

You may find this link useful,

https://www.modahaus.com/wine-bottle-photography-with-1-light/

Quite nice looking bit of kit.
What happens if you want to shoot on white? Or for a cutout? Black backgrounds are very dramatic but don't work well with clear glass, and effective product shots are often cutouts.
(Note also that there is flare on the Jack Daniels label in the example. Often regarded as undesirable.)

 

[JonathanSEO]

For 4 products you'd be better off getting them done by a professional.

Photography is hugely important when selling online so no point trying to skimp.

 

[Metalfrogboss]

For 4 products you'd be better off getting them done by a professional.

Photography is hugely important when selling online so no point trying to skimp.

I agree with Jonathan

 

[joshgeake]

£15 per hour for a studio plus £15 for a photographer is so insanely cheap!

If I were you I'd give them one product and ask them to demo their skills, also double check they'll give you the file for that price (it does seem very cheap indeed). Ask for the demo at a discounted rate on the offer that if it's good, there's more work.

 

[Billmccallum]

Hello,

I need to get some pictures for my website. I'm selling 4 different drinks (in glass bottles).

A friend of the missus has offered the use of her expensive camera. Does anyone know whether it's possible for a complete amateur to take photos that would be up to scratch? I really would like a good finish.

Alternatively, I've found a studio in town (Manchester) that charges £15 p/hour with an additional charge of £15 p/hour if you want a photographer too. I would have to take it for a minimum of 4 hours.

So £120 for a pro finish, make sure you own the copyright of all images before you start.

or spend a few days trying to get it right yourself.

 

[Deleted member 59730]

So £120 for a pro finish, make sure you own the copyright of all images before you start.

or spend a few days trying to get it right yourself.

"a few days?" It took me years!

I agree that £120 is very cheap. I couldn't find anyone to do post at that price.

 

[mrben123]

Thanks for all of the responses. That's really helpful.

It can't hurt to have a play at home first, but I'm pretty sure I'll end up going with the studio hire and have them done professionally.

 

[antropy]

A friend of the missus has offered the use of her expensive camera. Does anyone know whether it's possible for a complete amateur to take photos that would be up to scratch?

Depends on the person. There's a lot of skill in any professional discipline like photography, it's certainly not a case of point and shoot.

Get a fixed quote for a certain number of products from that studio I'd say.

 

[cpbf]

If you have time and like taking photos, why not give it a go yourself.

But if you want quality decent photos, you got to find professionals.

It took me 2 years (self learning & asking around) to figure out how to do basic product shooting (Set up lightings, photo tent, camera settings and using photoshop) It's pretty satisfactory once you know how to do it.

 

[London Photographer]

Love to help out if you still require the product shots