So when 2020 rolled in, I was super pumped and made the resolution to explore more genres of photography past portraits. I had just gotten a new Canon 6D and made the resolution to soak in the full-frame experience by shooting almost everything that I could and then… the pandemic happened and all my plans got thrown out the window, both literally and figuratively (seriously, I threw my ideas book out the window because it was frustrating coming up with ideas and not being able to shoot them). Even past the lockdown and the easing of various restrictions, it felt burdensome picking up the camera and trying to create and in that vein, 2020 rolled by, and I broke my resolution (which reinforced my belief in not making resolutions).
Its 2021 and I’m resolving to create as much as I can (Yes, I realize I said I don’t believe in resolutions) and go beyond what I currently know and think I’m capable of and to test this, I offered to do a product shoot for a ‘family friend’.
I learnt quite a lot about shooting products when I worked with Adekunle Haastrup of Haaastrup Photography but to be on your own and attempt the craft is as scary as it is exciting. I called up a friend who sells glasses/shades/eyewear and offered to create images for her portfolio and this is what I learnt;
- Lighting is Key: I feel like I’m always emphasizing the importance of light over other photographic components and if I am, that is because lighting is instrumental to the success or failure of any photo session. Properly balancing your light source will ensure your image is lit from all angles properly and all the minute details stand out especially when you’re doing product photography.
- Select your Props Carefully: Your product is the subject of your photograph hence nothing should distract from that which is obvious. Props used during the shoot should compliment your product and not take away from the image. Less is more in some cases so unless it adds some level of aesthetics or helps sell your product, don’t include it into your shot.
- Be Mindful of Reflections: Most products (or their packaging) have some sort of reflective surface and if care isn’t taken, there’s the chance that part of your environment will reflect on that surface and ruin your shot. Shooting in a plain environment reduces that risk but also, experimenting with various camera angles can also help.
- Use a Tight Aperture: The temptation to use a smaller F-stop is very present but the thing about shooting products is the images are detail-oriented and using a larger aperture figure reduces the focus plain, so it’s important to use a larger f-stop and compensate with the other members of the exposure triangle (click here to read our piece on the exposure triangle).
Following your client’s guide and using select colours to represent the brand will also help your images stand out. Below are some of the images from the shoot:
What do you hope to achieve this year in photography? Let’s hear your hopes and goals in the comments section.
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All Images Shot By Ufana Ishoyor, Used with Permission
