Sarlacc

Decided I needed to try my hand at some product shots, and what better product than one of the knives I received by licensing an older photo.

Ideally I would have had a larger work space and an additional light or two (I had two lights - daylight balanced LED panels)

But I'm pretty happy with the results seeing as I have no experience with shooting product.

Critique is welcome.

Sarlacc

I think one thing I walked away with was the need for deeper focus when the vegetables are involved. Really need more/larger light source for that as I wanted to keep the ISO under 1250 (ideally around 500-800 or less)

This would be an area where I would start exploring what flash or strobes could do for me.

Also, the macro shot of the handle, not sure why I added that. It doesn't really convey anything.

Sarlacc

And I think I need to chop the first cut tomato shot.

MWalsh9152

not a bad start Dave! I really like the composition, as well as the DOF on the shot with the peppers. The colors really grab you on this one.

Ive been wanting to try my hand at something like this for a while. I have a shot in mind that would look awesome in my office, it would be a crop of one of our newer control boards which has the company logo embossed on it. I just dont have the lighting, and free money to put into lights just because

Sarlacc

Thanks...luckily I was able to borrow the lights from a friend.

2001AudiS4

You suck

Sarlacc

2001AudiS4

In all seriousness, I think they came out great. One thing I like, which doesn't necessarily have to do with the knife itself, is how well the texture of the cutting board shows, right down to the knife marks. I think it really adds to the pictures.

MWalsh9152

yeah, the dark texture of the wood really makes the food stand out too

terdonal

In the first one the background is too busy and detracts from the nice shot of the knife. The first one with the peppers needs balanced dof on the peppers as does the first one with the lemons and lime. The rest of them look pretty good to my eyes, overall nice for your first attempt.

pttl

I think backgrounds are very important in product shots. If the background doesn't have anything to do directly with the product it shouldn't be in the shot. That's why the first pic here is distracting. Even the stove grids are borderline out of place. Even though cutting and chopping is a cooking event the act of using the knife is not usually done on a stove. The block and produce are outstanding examples of cohesive backgrounding.

just mho. Beautiful pics though.

Sarlacc

noted and I agree, thanks

mdkxtreme

I agree that the color of the cutting board looks like a perfect "background" for the food and knife.

I'm not sure if this is correct, but would a cutting board without the knife marks be better? I might just be pixel peeping but some of the cutting lines kinda stand out.

But again like 2001AudiS4 said, some might view the cutting lines as a neat addition.

Sarlacc

If this were a real shoot for a client, you are correct that the cutting board would probably be brand new...pending on what they wanted.

cmschmie

Look good to me, but I'm no advertisement executive.

I seem to remember Dan Martin (who I haven't seen on here in forever), doing some product photography. Maybe he'd be someone good to contact

Undying Dreams

iTrader: (3)

The macro shots are awesome, the closeup of the blade made me

And as you already pointed out, with the veggies involved, more DOF

Looks like you're off to a good start

Sarlacc

I re-cropped and re-processed the first image in hopes of making it less distracting

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

i like.