Could use some constructive Feedback

[Aaron Otto]

Okay,

Need to shoot more product. Looking for feedback on first test. Let it fly – Boring! Been done! What ever, just need to know if it sucks.

thanks,
a

I know there is a smudge lower right base of reel. Tape residue left from last shoot.

sincerely thank you for your time- a

[David Anderson]

Hi Aaron,

First up – most product photography is very simple and very boring so no need to worry about dressing it up too much.

The first shot is a bit dark and a little flat, but I like the next 2 a lot.

A couple of things though – most of the time (in my experience) the clients want clean shots on white so the product is easy to deep etch and drop in.
A shot with a more involved background might be done as a second option or a hero shot, but most of the time it’s just on clean white.
(Your reflections would make for good hero stuff.)

I say this because if you shoot stuff with a boring old white background the light on the product has to rock just the same and should be the main objective.

The light you’ve done here is very nice on the bright work, though looks dark on the blacks.
(hard to tell on these small screen shots)
I’m guessing a little more front reflected light would fix it.

The best way to have a clean background is to keep it far enough back from the product to light it separate.
With a reel that might be 3 or 4 feet depending on the light source.

It’s important that you don’t have too much light bouncing off the back onto the product.

I always shoot just the backlight first to check that it’s not hitting before I start on the main light.
It’s also a good way to check that the background is clean white and not blown-out or a little grey.
If you get that right it can save hours of etching.

www.dsaphoto.com

A picture is thousand words that takes less than a second while a thousand words is a picture that takes a month.

[Aaron Otto]

Thanks David, I will reset the lights: Starting backlight first and working forward.

[Aaron Otto]

Round Two: Thanks for feedback in advance.

So # 1 is my favorite. I would like to shoot a whole series in different wet locations.  Shoot them in water with ice dripping from the reel, or spinning wildly as the reel and line spit out water with a wide open lens capturing every blurred revolution.

[David Anderson]

I like the graphics..

Only problem (IMHO) with the first composition is you can’t see any rod or reel in the background photo.
Though most of us fly fisherman will get your meaning, I bet an art director would not – mind you, most of the ones I’ve worked for are latte sipping middle aged men dressed like teenagers who only go outdoors when walking from their chic inner city terrace house to their Mazda convertible, a lot of them also seem a little confused about the natural order of things where pro-creation is concerned.. 😉

The second one is very punchy and the reflection works a treat – it’s very modern and would stand out well in a magazine full of fishing photos as well.
(Even the art directors mike like it. :D)

www.dsaphoto.com

A picture is thousand words that takes less than a second while a thousand words is a picture that takes a month.

[Aaron Otto]

Thanks David, you once again gave me a lot to think about.

[olle bulder]

Number 2 looks great Aaron. It also reminds me that i have to finish my own reel ad project 🙂

[Author]

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