Perfect way to take white background product shots?

Dymo King · #1 (**permalink**) 24-08-2008, 16:46

Hi,

If I want to take photos of products for use on a website, with just the product on a white (or transparent) background what is the best way to do that?

I've tried taking photos with blue/green backdrops and then trying to edit out the background colour in photoshop but it is a slow process with varying results.

How do the professionals do it...?

fee · #2 (**permalink**) 24-08-2008, 18:06

ive got a photo cube tent .it has the different coloured backdrops but has white also.....i got mine off ebay....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/80cm-Photo-Cub...d=p3286.c0.m14

Inzvestor · #3 (**permalink**) 24-08-2008, 18:48

Fee's on the money with this - they are a great price too - usually a wee bit more expensive when buying retail.

consultant · #4 (**permalink**) 24-08-2008, 19:20

dont laugh, but for smller items, your bath is a fantastic place to take pack shots.

Remember to clean the hair out of the plug hole first!

Eagle · #5 (**permalink**) 24-08-2008, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dymo King

How do the professionals do it...?

With a single flashgun bounced off the ceiling (when I'm feeling lazy.

)

Alvin · #6 (**permalink**) 24-08-2008, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle

With a single flashgun bounced off the ceiling (when I'm feeling lazy.

)

Could you explain "bounched off the ceiling" more please.?

Alvin

Eagle · #7 (**permalink**) 24-08-2008, 21:18

Literally that. All you do is angle the flash head so that it's pointing at the ceiling (make sure it's white!) when you take the pic. It acts as a huge diffuser and soft light gets everywhere and evenly lights the subject. Ocasionally, you do need a white card or two to reflect light back in to underside surfaces.

With practice, you can achieve virtually the same results as a light tent or light cube. Not much good for shiny metallics though - for that you will need a light tent.

Inzvestor · #8 (**permalink**) 24-08-2008, 22:31

Nice watch image - looks great

Out of interest (and perhaps another thread) - what camera were you using?

Eagle · #9 (**permalink**) 24-08-2008, 22:50

I don't recall exactly because I change them quite often but a Nikon D series - probably a D1X.

Yeah, I could look in the EXIF but like I said - I'm lazy!

...sometimes.

DavidT · #10 (**permalink**) 25-08-2008, 10:16

Also consider contrast... use a background that contrasts the item you're photographing, especially at the edges (which as the others said should be well lit from most angles (remove shadows from the photo).