Product shots: Bass Baits – Help Please

[Aaron Otto]

Working on some new Catalog shots for a Sporting goods company.  Not getting the “Pop” I want in these shots.

Was hoping folks could pass along some thoughts that may help spur along the process.  Hopefully, leading me to a better end result. I really hate dispointing people, espesically these guys.

Shooting with a still life table, a couple of vc-500s, SB800 below firing remotely(under table).  

Question 1. Do you think I can kill the reflection by shooting the product inside a tent or under velum?

Question 2. These shots don’t do anything for me- anyone have any thoughts how I could make them more interesting?

My sincerest thanks upfront- thank you for your time.

**I know the line is visible – no post work done yet.

[anonymous]

Aaron, seems a requirement to show the lure with the trebles dangling naturally, doesn’t it?

How bout trying some florist wire or small dowel to “suspend” the lure by balancing it on the “post” with a pinch of modeling clay? Then erase the post afterwards?

[Matt Jones]

Are you trying to isolate the baits against all white?

www.mattjonesphotography.com

[Neal Osborn]

Aaron –

I really like where you are going with these shots.

[Mike Anderson]

Maybe green screen them and experiment with some different background images?

[Aaron Otto]

This sunday, I’m going to try all of the suggestions above and post results that night. Thanks guys – this was exactly the kind of help I was looking for.

[Zach Matthews]

Aaron –

White Q-tips with hollow plastic tubes make good lure stands.

[Mike Anderson]

Or just hang them upside down by the hooks with white thread and invert the photo for the floating crankbait look.

[Aaron Otto]

Thanks Zach & Mike for the ideas: I’ll give them both a shot.

[lee church]

Overall, they look really clean.

[lee church]

The rotate thing would be sick!

[Corey Kruitbosch]

I like the images … I’d try pushing them through a tone mapping pass to see my results, like the images I emailed. I thought it gave them a bit of depth. Esp to the eyes, etc.

For your rotating object you could give QuickTime VR Objects a try … I bet your client would love it.

[john michael white]

I personaly think this image is pretty sweet!

[Aaron Otto]

Thanks guys for all the input.

[Corey Kruitbosch]

The HDR software? http://www.mediachance.com/hdri/index.html – 55$

[Aaron Otto]

Corey sorry wasn’t specific enough, the apple VR softeware.

I think the HDR suite was the one you showed me before, and I bought it too.

thanks again.

[Corey Kruitbosch]

Ahhh .. sorry .. I’m not sure about the apple stuff. I have never actually used it myself .. Just seen it used.  😮

[anonymous]

Aaron- something you may want to consider- outside of the VR /tech stuff – is using

[Aaron Otto]

No worries Corrie, I’m sure I’ll continue my habit of buy first figure out later- LOL.

[Aaron Otto]

Round two – Advice taken and a little improv.

Took suction cups with clips on them. Tied on end of 7x to the hooks the other to the clips (one one on each cup).  Attached the cups to the top back end of the still life table.

Took 40 lbs Flouro and tied it to a spare tripod behind the camera.  

Added bubbles with the burn and doge tool in PS.
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Same bait, same set up without bubbles, but added a sheet of Velum over the top of the bait about four inches above.

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The setup on this was a bit more complicated. The bait is four inches tall and very hard to balance.  Also, I can’t seem to get the anchor line out of the shot.  

Finally ran it through an HDR engine to get the hollow-translucent effect.  

I appreciate everyone’s thoughts & comments – I think it’s helping to make a better result each time.  

Thank you,

[Author]

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