{"id":56949,"date":"2010-05-06T14:41:17","date_gmt":"2010-05-06T14:41:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/?p=56949"},"modified":"2019-03-15T20:10:54","modified_gmt":"2019-03-15T20:10:54","slug":"product-photography-lighting-it-is-simple-when-you-know-how","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/product-photography-lighting-it-is-simple-when-you-know-how\/","title":{"rendered":"Product Photography Lighting: It is Simple When You Know How"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Hero” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”3.17.1″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#0c1319″ background_color_gradient_end=”#2b3a42″ background_color_gradient_direction=”60deg” custom_padding=”20px|0px|0px|0px” box_shadow_style=”preset7″ box_shadow_horizontal=”0px” box_shadow_vertical=”-80px” box_shadow_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_padding=”|||” _builder_version=”3.17.1″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” background_layout=”dark” _builder_version=”3.18.4″ text_font=”Open Sans|600|||||||” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”700px” module_alignment=”center”]<\/p>\n

Product Photography Lighting:<\/h2>\n

It is Simple When You Know How<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.18.4″ box_shadow_style=”preset1″ align=”center” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_horizontal=”5px” box_shadow_vertical=”5px” box_shadow_blur=”25px” src=”https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Untitled-1.jpg” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”on” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ specialty_columns=”3″][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.7″]<\/p>\n

The object I’ve selected is a simple to photograph. Really simple.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why?
Because it has a well visible texture and doesn’t have highly reflective or transparent surfaces.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

However, having an easy to shoot object doesn’t mean you should not worry about the lighting. It is so easy to do a crappy image just because it looks “nice” as is, with one light source (large softbox will do it). Believe me, I am not against simple lighting schema, but more lights give me more control over the look of the subject, I just need to make sure I use them right.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I am going to show you how each additional light source will change the look of the boot and explain why I need it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Let’s start from this well textured boot and only one light in the front-top of it (White Lightning BD<\/a> in my case, you can check the lighting setup ):<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.18.4″ src=”https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/1-152.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” \/][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”3.17.1″ area=”et_pb_widget_area_4″ orientation=”right” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ specialty=”off” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”3.19.7″ module_class=”pt_nohave_tag pt_hide_200″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.19.7″ background_color_gradient_start=”#ffffff” background_color_gradient_end=”#efefef” box_shadow_horizontal=”0px” box_shadow_vertical=”2px” box_shadow_blur=”18px” box_shadow_spread=”0px” global_module=”64053″][et_pb_column type=”3_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Only for non-logged and non-pro” global_parent=”64053″ _builder_version=”3.19.7″ custom_padding=”20px||20px|20px” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#ffffff” background_color_gradient_end=”#efefef” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ custom_margin=”10px|||20px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#efefef”]<\/p>\n

\"\"Only for Pro Club Members<\/h2>\n

To access the full tutorial, please sign-up<\/a> or login<\/a> to your Pro Club user account<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” prev_background_color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”3.19.7″ module_class=”pt_tag pt_200″][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ specialty_columns=”3″][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.4″]<\/p>\n

Step one: one light on front\/top<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It may look good, but not for our catalog where a white background is required. It needs to be completely white (RGB: 255.255.255). We do not clip out the whole object, but instead use a different technique explained in<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Is the white background really white?<\/a>\u00a0article, it allows the shadow\u00a0 to remain under the boot and is much faster to do.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Next, we added one strip box added to fill the background:<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.18.4″ src=”https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/2-141.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.4″]<\/p>\n

Step two: background light added<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Does not look bad, right? However, it won\u2019t be good for a catalog shoot, as it does not have clearly visible product details. Now it is time to add some backlight to highlight the texture: intense directional (from 20\u00b0 honeycomb) light that hits the boot on a very low angle, from behind (right side) and adds more volume to our boot:<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.18.4″ src=”https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/3-131.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.4″]<\/p>\n

Third step: backlight from the right<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now, the last light.
The same spot light (20\u00b0 honeycomb) was added from behind on the left side, to show the texture on this side of the boot. Additionally, top-front light (BD) was decreased by 1.5 stops (approximately, I do not use a flash meter) to compensate additional light source. Now it is more like a fill light.
Background was whitened during post-production as well.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.18.4″ src=”https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/4-118.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.4″]<\/p>\n

The final shot<\/p>\n

&sbnp;<\/p>\n

I know some may say that the very first shot looks better then the last one\u2026 This may be true if we were talking about individual preferences, each has his own vision. I like it better the way I did it on the last image, plus, there are unwritten standards for the catalog photography which I need to follow to be successful in what I am doing.<\/p>\n

&sbnp;<\/p>\n

Lighting Setup:<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.18.4″ src=”https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/5-6.png” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.4″]<\/p>\n

Lighting setup for the boot<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.18.4″ src=”https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/6-100.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.4″]<\/p>\n

That was a shoot for the catalog. Nice, but not quite challenging: regular catalog with products on white glossy paper.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Customer did not ask me to do such a shot, but it will be a good exercise for me to produce something more creative. One additional hour spent in the studio, and here is what we got:<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.18.4″ src=”https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/7-82.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.4″]<\/p>\n

advertisement photography example with color gels<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I did not use color gels much in my past work, but now I love it! It is like adding additional dimension to photography, working not only with light and shadow, but with the color for each light source. Interested in how it was done?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Here is the setup, you can guess what each light was doing there:<\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.18.4″ src=”https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/8-5.png” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.4″]<\/p>\n

Studio lighting setup using color gels: product photography by Alex Koloskov<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.4″]<\/p>\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\"\"<\/td>\r\n\r\n

In the Gearbox<\/h2>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

<\/td>\r\n\r\n
\"\"<\/div>\r\n
<\/p>\n

\tCanon EOS 1Ds Mark III<\/a> DSLR
\tBogen 055 XPROB Tripod<\/a> with 405 geared head<\/a>
\tCanon RS-80N3 Remote Switch<\/a>
\tCanon Right Angle Finder<\/a>
\tCanon 24-70 f2.8 L<\/a> lens<\/p>\n

Lighting and Light Modifiers and Accessories:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\tPaul C. Buff Lighting<\/a>: 2\u00d71600WS, 2\u00d7800WS, 1\u00d7400WS
\t1x Paul C.Buff\u00a0 Beauty Dish<\/a> (old style)
\t2x 20 honeycomb grid mounted on standard Paul C. Buff reflector
\t1x 6\u201dx36\u201d strip box, unknown brand:-)
\tLG4X<\/a> 4 channel remote control for flash units
\tCyberSync\u2122 CST\u00a0 Trigger Transmitter<\/a> and CyberSync\u2122 AC Powered Trigger Receiver<\/a>
\tAdobe Lightroom 3 Beta 2<\/a> as a remote capture solution for tethered shooting<\/p>\n

All shots were done with: <\/strong>shutter speed 1\/250 sec, F16,\u00a0 ISO 100, Custom WB 5600K<\/p>\n

<\/div>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\n

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[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Hero” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”3.17.1″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#0c1319″ background_color_gradient_end=”#2b3a42″ background_color_gradient_direction=”60deg” custom_padding=”20px|0px|0px|0px” box_shadow_style=”preset7″ box_shadow_horizontal=”0px” box_shadow_vertical=”-80px” box_shadow_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_padding=”|||” _builder_version=”3.17.1″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” background_layout=”dark” _builder_version=”3.18.4″ text_font=”Open Sans|600|||||||” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”700px” module_alignment=”center”] Product Photography Lighting: It is Simple When You Know How [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.18.4″ box_shadow_style=”preset1″ align=”center” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_horizontal=”5px” box_shadow_vertical=”5px” box_shadow_blur=”25px” src=”https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Untitled-1.jpg” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”on” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_column […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4869,"featured_media":56967,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1373,1408],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[2446,2445,2444,144,2439,2448,2447,275,1678,200,1101,2333,68,244,119,339,419,1471,413,1542],"class_list":["post-56949","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-no-video","category-product"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56949","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4869"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56949"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56949\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56967"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56949"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56949"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56949"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.photigy.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=56949"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}