Tools of the trade

[macobee]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/3519174510_1e914f4c15_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3380/3518377375_2b32200dd7_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3518375403_9d2691152d_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3663/3518372989_b19a49f2ec_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/3518365969_e5310f8494_b.jpg

[DerekSimon]

Out of these, number 1 is the best for me. The reason for this is that all of the other shots just don't paint too clear of a shot in my head of them being of a strainer. Without the other supporting shots, one could assume that they were of a microphone honestly. Nice work and creativity overall though.

[LightingMan]

In commercial photography like this, the goal of the photographer is usually to show the shape and form of the object. This is achieved using specular (mirror like) reflections of light sources and various white reflectors from all angles necessary to showcase the object. Looking at the first image we begin with the arrangement of the two objects. Positioning the knife as you did, leaves the shape of the item distorted much like allowing a portrait subject to position their fingers facing toward the lens. They are shortened and thus distorted. We know the knife is long but that length is not shown here. Also the knife virtually disappears into the black background because so little of it’s metal surfaces are reflecting any light source. The blade is only reflecting the wood surfaces so it does not look at all like a beautiful metal blade. We know what a knife blade looks like so in a commercial photograph we expect to see it looking like metal. Also note the tines in the fork contain a limited amount of specular reflection but there are also large areas that have no reflection and are just black. Not good. In an image like this, every edge and surface needs to be represented if you are selling the product and that is what commercial photography is there for. To sell the product.

Work with your light sources in very close to the subject. Curved reflective surfaces “see” light like a wide angle lens. The further your light sources from the subject, the less of them you will see reflected in the subject. Look through your camera constantly and keep building light into all surfaces that reflect until the entire form of the product can be seen. An arrangement of these two kitchen items might have been better had they been laying down on their sides with one crossing the other so they had equal prominence for the viewer. This arrangement would have provided the photographer with the simple lighting solution of placing a large light source directly above them to fill in the blade and larger reflective areas with other reflectors to the sides to cover the edges.

If you look at the image, there is no logical reason for the knife to be placed where it is. It looks stubby, dark and unimportant.

In the second image, the strainer again looks dull with only a few areas being filled with large reflected light sources. I have this strainer in my kitchen by the way. Observe the hook at the top that is used to hang it. Note the lack of reflections making it largely black so it blends in with the black background.

The third image is so close that it’s impossible to tell what the item is. It might just be a microphone. There is not enough info shown to let the viewer easily know what it is.

In the next image, again we are very close but the larger problem is the lack of close proximity lighting which will fill all of those tiny reflective surfaces creating texture and great detail with a combination of tonalities. Try working with larger light sources very close to the object and you will see some improvements. You still have to have shadow to go with the light but you need to control it. The best procedure is to create your highlights first and then control the shadows once the highlights are established.

Looking at the final image, once again, it vanishes into the background because you have not created separation in the object using reflectors at close range. You can barely see the handle sticking out from it. When you look at the object, keep asking yourself where you need to position a light or reflector in order to put light into each and every surface. This done to greater and lesser degrees is what creates three dimensional contrast. Light and shadow work together to allow us to observe a three dimensional object on a two dimensional medium.

I have included a knife image that I made for my portfolio. Note the blade and it’s surfaces and how they are filled with reflected light and also gray areas to create three dimensional contrast. The handle also has various reflections of light sources to showcase it’s form.

I hope you find this helpful. Feel free to write to me anytime you have a question.
Best wishes,

[macobee]

thanks i really appreciate your comments, its how i can learn. i think my biggest problem is i dont get enough alone time to practise and trial and error and do things like "what if i did this" etc......as i am always in between wife and 3 kids at home

i like your way of comments.....it seriously makes me look different at things, however the pics of colanders etc are really only intended for people who know what it is.......its material for a cookbook, not for anyone outside the trade.

also dont forget i work with flashstrobes only so only see what i do after i took a shot......not that easy........once i get some paid gigs, first thing to come is some studio lights

cheers

Marco
p.s. awesome knife pic you have there, love how its lit!

[Sisyphus]

I hope you find this helpful.

Super comments -- highly instructive.

While the posted photos may not have been taken with the intention of marketing the products, the same lighting priciples should generally apply. Some of the close-ups (of the strainer, for example) are interesting in form and material, with the light playing off the texture of the screen -- though perhaps not so useful in itself for the purpose of selling a product -- the photos still appeal to me.

[macobee]

Super comments -- highly instructive.

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indeed, highly valued when people go so indepth, as it mAkes one learn from that