Product photography, particularly lenses - tips, tricks, etc.

Hi guys,

I was looking around (i.e. using search function) for some discussion on photographing lenses, particularly for resale. I saw a few threads of interest in the photo-sharing section, but all links of photos shared by the OPs were dead and it was a few comments of praise here and there. I didn't find much discussion here in the talk section either based on thread titles. I'm making an effort to ignite some discussion regarding this as I recently took some quick photos of some gear I'm going to sell, but I'm thinking about retaking the photos and put some more effort into them. I don't want to end up just looking at photos in the Buy & Sell section that I like and try to reverse engineer them but it looks like that may be the way I'll have to go. Any thoughts from anybody?

Thanks!

Maybe look at the knife & Browning threads here for some more interesting lighting: FAQ - Studio Lighting

Poe wrote in post #17462398
Hi guys,

I was looking around (i.e. using search function) for some discussion on photographing lenses, particularly for resale. I saw a few threads of interest in the photo-sharing section, but all links of photos shared by the OPs were dead and it was a few comments of praise here and there. I didn't find much discussion here in the talk section either based on thread titles. I'm making an effort to ignite some discussion regarding this as I recently took some quick photos of some gear I'm going to sell, but I'm thinking about retaking the photos and put some more effort into them. I don't want to end up just looking at photos in the Buy & Sell section that I like and try to reverse engineer them but it looks like that may be the way I'll have to go. Any thoughts from anybody?

Thanks!

I photograph custom made pool cues and billiard products.

Please post some pictures of that you have taken or post a link of how you want your pictures to look like please...........

I just put some items up for sale after retaking the photos. I figured we can discuss these examples.

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=17528883

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=17528893

I feel there was improvement just by putting some effort in to the process (also got to try out my ST-E3-RT & 2 600EX-RTs in the process).

Here's are some snapshots I initially considered posting:

I guess I am a nut on this subject, personally I think your pictures contain way to much polarized reflection.
The book Light Science and Magic.

CPL's and linear polarized film is a must when it comes down to photographing smooth non metallic subjects or surfaces.

It goes something like this All reflected or softened light produces electromagnetic polarized waves, when those waves contact any smooth non metallic surfaces it creates Polarized reflection.
AKA glare or white out.

Hear is some pictures of some of my Billiard related products that I make and sale.

IMAGE LINK: http://s1110.photobuck​et.com …eted_zpsq7pxyq8​q.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://s1110.photobuck​et.com …eart_zpsm7vu2ry​l.jpg.html

Not sure what you want to achieve, photos for selling products and showing the product as is, then your shots is sufficient.

Or do you want to take more "product" shots where the lens should be photographed to look as good as possible ?

For objects that reflect a lot, you need to decide what it should reflect. I single light source even and large enough will get rid of harsh specular reflection if they are not desired.

A product photo tent can make it very easy to take product pictures. I have one and I let the interns in the office use it to take pictures for eBay, etc. It's quite difficult to take a bad picture that way.

A picture of a used lens for resale has the opposite goal of traditional product photography. You want to capture any flaws, scratches, dents, or dings, so the buyer is made aware of them. That means each shoot is going to be different, depending on the imperfections.

Check out the "show us your set up and results" thread. Lots of useful info there.

Here's a really simple, really cheap way to go about it:

Thank you for posting that video. Nice and simple.
-mark

Poe wrote in post #17528934
I just put some items up for sale after retaking the photos. I figured we can discuss these examples.

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=17528883

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=17528893

I feel there was improvement just by putting some effort in to the process (also got to try out my ST-E3-RT & 2 600EX-RTs in the process).

Here's are some snapshots I initially considered posting:

Hosted photo: posted by Poe in
./showthread.php?p=175​28934&i=i93645834
forum: Still Life, B/W & Experimental

Hosted photo: posted by Poe in
./showthread.php?p=175​28934&i=i222061191
forum: Still Life, B/W & Experimental

I'm just using some white foam-core and then bouncing the flashes off the ceiling for now until I have time to practice with my softbox.

using such a wide lens to photograph these has caused you to get too close to the subject. If you back away and use a longer lens i the subject/lens won't look so distorted. Even while looking at the end of the lens you should still be able to see the side (focusing ring etc).

If you have a tripod i would try to use ambient or with bouncing a flash, or directing a light at the wall and flagging direct light from the bulb you will get a larger light source and not so bright specular highlights.

Many of these kind of question get's the same answer. "Get a light tent"

Luckily you got some good answers and tips, the video demonstrates the very basic and it doesn't matter what kind of the gear you have rules of light applies regardless.

The lightning for these type of shots doesn't need to be advanced by any means, as the video shows a "large" soft light source and a bouncing card will get the job done. If you do a have a some speedlights or strobes even it get's even easier to repeatedly get consistent results.

This is taken with a single light source above from a striplight and a bouncing card to the left. This is straight out of the camera.

Light tents are cheap and make it super easy to get shots like above. You can use natural light (a window, or take it outside), strobes/speedlites, or any type of constant lighting. I have one that came with inserts in white, black, red, and blue for matching or contrasting the product you're shooting. They come in small to humongous, depending on what you're shooting. If you're a DIY'er you can do something similar with fabric, poster board, piece of vinyl, etc.

Small luxury items like watches or jewelry look really nice on ceramic tile or colored glass. Just pick some up at your local home improvement store.

For product shots, I think your photos have way too shallow DOF. We're not going for an artistic feel here, but for an accurate representation of the item for sale. Having the whole item in focus will assure the buyer of the condition of the item, instead of having them wonder if there are scratches or dents in the OOF area of your product image.
I usually shoot mine around f8-f11 for a sharp shot with everything in focus.

Josh_30 wrote in post #17799104
...If you're a DIY'er you can do something similar with fabric, poster board, piece of vinyl, etc.

See my link in post #2 above.

Josh_30 wrote in post #17799104
Light tents are cheap and make it super easy to get shots like above. You can use natural light (a window, or take it outside), strobes/speedlites, or any type of constant lighting. I have one that came with inserts in white, black, red, and blue for matching or contrasting the product you're shooting. They come in small to humongous, depending on what you're shooting. If you're a DIY'er you can do something similar with fabric, poster board, piece of vinyl, etc.

I spoke to soon obviously...The golden advice to get a light tent...

Light tent is impractical to work with in terms of controlling the light and reflections. But for the purpose of shooting object on a white background it can be sufficient at times.

I picked up a rather large tent on a local swap page for dirt cheap that included different backgrounds. These examples aren't very interesting, but the items sell so it works for me Not very interesting, but it's dead simple to setup and use with some cheap flashguns. Would love to have some softboxes on booms, but can't justify it yet (just a hobby).

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/ywFx​Gs

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/zuzt​8k

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/zsCY​eJ

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/zci9​tj