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As I mentioned yesterday, I did do a number of product shots in a paper light box. I'm happy with how they turned out. Just as in this post, I'm continually impressed with the professional-looking results that you can achieve with 4 pieces of paper to diffuse the light.
click to enlarge, or see it on Flickr
Aperture: f/8
Shutter Speed: 0.8 seconds
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 100mm
Tripod
I used the 100mm f/2.8 macro lens and a tripod that belongs to the newspaper staff. It was interesting shooting these, because I knew they all had to turn out really well. I wasn't just shooting for myself, it was a semi-professional job. As I had an odd mix of cloudy window lighting and overhead fluorescent, I had to manually set the white balance. Not a big deal, but it turned out excellent—I wanted to be sure the colors displayed were accurate.
So if you like what you see, head on over and check out my friend's business: http://cuteasabuddon.blogspot.com. Hopefully soon you'll see some of my photos on there, when she has time to update the site!
My friend once again needed a photographer today for her business (shameless bump), so I got to do some more commercial photography, which I really enjoy. First I shot product photos in a light box to make the necklaces and bracelets she displays look professional. Then I took a couple of models out on a shortish shoot to display the product in action. It's nice that I knew the models and "employer" beforehand, but I can conceive of a situation that I might not. And I don't think it would be that bad. Working with models that aren't stuck up is pretty easy, especially if they like the results. Both models asked me for copies of the photos I took of them, which is an easy thing to do.
click to enlarge, or see it on Flickr
Aperture: f/4
Shutter Speed: 1/160
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 50mm
Handheld
I used my dad's 50mm because the shoot started inside and I desperately needed the f/1.4 aperture to compete with the crappy fluorescent lighting. As we went outside, I just left the 50 on, but shot at f/4 instead. It's a great portrait lens either way. So basically, I got to help out a friend, practice directing models, practice portraits in general, and have some fun that ended with good pictures. So, definitely a cool experience.
A few notes: sorry on the late post today, my card reader is broken and I had to hunt down an old USB-to-mini-USB cable to transfer my photos, which took a while. I have ordered a new card reader, which should get here Monday or Tuesday, but until then, I have the cord handy.
Also, I am going to follow everyone's suggestions in changing the watermark to just my name in a larger font. I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
I have a friend who is starting up a button jewelry business (shameless plug: http://www.cuteasabuddon.blogspot.com/). Yesterday, she asked me to help take some photos of her work for a brochure she's putting together. As most of the shoot was inside, I used my dad's f/1.4 50mm lens for the majority of the photos. One I'm particularly happy about is this one.
click to enlarge, or see it on Flickr
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter Speed: 1/13
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 55 mm
Monopod
Actually, after putting the exposure details down, I realized that this was one I took with my kit lens because I was running out of time before I had to leave, and the kit lens was already back on my body. Which explains the higher ISO.
Commercial photography has proven to me an interesting animal. Even when shooting portrait-style photos that showcase the necklaces or bracelets, I had to pay as much attention to the focus of the product as I did to the focus of the person's eyes.
Anyway, there's that. I may end up shooting more for her, and if I get good results I'll be sure to show them on here.
