A great product shot can range from the simple to the complicated, but the key to it all is to make the product look its very best so people will buy it. Here are some easy things to think about when approaching a product shot…

Magic hour is that magical time of day after the sun has dipped below the horizon, and before the sky has gotten dark. For photographers and cinematographers, it is a wonderful time of day for shooting portraits, architecture, landscapes, water, and products. Calling it an hour is really a misnomer for most [...]

We’re up in the mountains for a weekend away to celebrate Chris’ birthday. Today, we took a quick day trip to a nearby town that has a little boardwalk on the lake. We found the boardwalk and all the carnival rides, but we also found it all boarded up for the winter. I think [...]

Shiny metal is one of the most challenging surfaces to shoot. Think of all the products in your kitchen made of shiny metal! Rounded surfaces are even more difficult because they act like a wide-angle lens, seeing everything in your studio. Here are some guidelines and diagrams for shooting objects made of shiny metal.

I’ve been wanting to do a dramatic silhouette shot for a couple of months, and tonight gave me the perfect opportunity.
The sun was setting and I exposed for the sky, not for Chloe. This gave her a slightly silhouetted look. I took the shot a step further by playing with the Levels [...]

Today was a typical Monday — back to work after a wonderful weekend with my family. It always causes a little bit of mourning for me. But thankfully, if I have to be away from my daughter, at least I work at an art college on a beautiful campus up in the hills. The view [...]

How to create the look of daylight in studio when shooting products.

3 POINT LIGHTING
Three point lighting is often the best way to create a flattering portrait, shoot a great headshot and make an interview on video look professional. Here is the essence of three point lighting:
Key Light – This is your primary light source.
Fill Light – This light adds illumination to the shadow side [...]