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Product Photography

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product photography is the practice of taking photos of products to showcase them online, in catalogs, and in social media ads.The goal is to capture the product’s details and features in a way that’s visually appealing and helps consumers make a purchase. 

Unlike for many type of photography, where inspiration and a sense of the present moment are precious qualities for the photographer, with product photography it is necessary to perform a precise review of one’s entire working method.

As you begin to you embrace this subject matter your skill in lighting and setup will be challenged!

 

Your challenge is to Explore, Demonstrate, and Create an understanding of how best present a product with precision control as both artistic and informative? Your job is to present the product as the best and most desirable option for consumers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keys to Success: 

  • have a plan
  • control and influence your light
  • Learn through testing
  • CREATE the scene
  • use key stylistic choices
    • Color
    • Setting
    • Reflections
    • Props
  • find inspiration
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place Gallery link here

 

 

ALWAYS read the entire quest before beginning to ensure you understand all requirements. Remember the process is worth at least half of the project grade. 

 

Project Learning Outcome Goals:

  • Justify purposeful choices in the creation of work
  • Create meaningful works of art that demonstrate expressive features and perspective
  • Justify the importance of subtle Lighting choices

 

Create your new Process Page titled PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY. You will need to label the next several pages with these 7 Stages of your design process as you complete them:

  1. Understand the Problem
  2. Research and Investigate
  3. Generate Possible Solutions
  4. Select AND DEVELOP Best Solution 
  5. Model and Prototype (Create)
  6. Test and Evaluate
  7. Produce

 

ASSIGNMENT

  • Research and develop an understanding of what product photography is as an art form.
  • Produce 1 refined final Product shot for evaluation
    • Single product of your choice
  • Use and demonstrate a control of purposeful lighting
  • Create an intentional composition with light, color, and shape
  • Show craftsmanship of the fine details in composing and developing
  • Maintain technical skills while learning through experimentation
    • Clarity, Color, Composition, Creativity, Exposure, Quality

 

PROJECT DESIGN PROCESS GUIDELINES

 

     Design Process STAGE 1: UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM

1. Consider what the goal of your product is

  • What is a product photograph?
  • What are the challenges I might have to learn and explore to be successful
  • What product are you going to photograph?
  • Are the key elements I will be evaluated on?
  • What is your goal (not Coulson’s) in this project?

 

     Design Process STAGE 2: Research and Investigate

Always record every resource you use as a link that opens in a new window/tab.

2. Research Product Photography AND my product/industry?

  • What are the key characteristics of a great product shot?
  • Are there different kinds of product photography?
  • What types of lighting setups are used in different product shots!
  • What equipment might you need?
  • Find some shot done in the styles you might want to use (print them off)
  • Define specific skills or looks that can be used to create “better” product shots
  • What special effect/trick can you find from other photographers online?

Use some of my these links for inspiration or direction

 

Reference books in our classroom Library:

 

 

 

 

 

NEXT STAGES NOT YET READY FOR THE PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY ASSIGNMENT

     Design Process STAGE 3: Generate Possible Solutions

3. Brainstorm ideas (lots of them) — Show your brainstorming as idea webs, clouds, lists, found imagery, small sketches of elements (at least 25 ideas, words, elements required) These are original ideas not just copied from other photographer unless you are developing an idea “further” although inspiration is often a key to solutions.

  • Brainstorm – concepts (what you photo might show, say, or communicate)
  • Brainstorm – style, techniques, or even a medium you could use
  • Brainstorm – models, environments, props, lighting effects, colors, digital manipulations

4. Begin sketching thumbnail ideas for more detailed composition. (location, time, props, light, your plans)

  • Sketch at least 3 completely different plans in your sketchbook and load to project page.
  • Thumbnail sketches should be about 4″ sketches in sketchbook
  • Plans should be ORIGINAL though inspired!
  • use notes to clarify your ideas.
  • Remind yourself of your goals for the project. Are you still pursuing them?

 

     Design Process STAGE 4: Select and Develop Best Solution

5. Select the best solution

  • Why did you have chose it
  • detail your plans BEFORE you shoot
  • Consider Depth of Field and Motion
  • How you light, space, light (value) impact your solutions

 

      Design Process STAGE 5: Model and Prototype (Create)

6. Begin production of your design

  • REQUIREMENT: Final images should be at least 2700 pixels wide or tall (max of 10000 pixels)
  • TECHNICAL: Practice, develop or refine new skills you are exploring.
  • CRAFT: Remember Craftmanship matters. It shows you care!
  • ORIGINALITY: All images must be original and follow copyright laws
  • DOCUMENTATION: Remember to take in-progress screenshots for you project page

 

     Design Process STAGE 6: Test and Evaluate

7. Self-reflect on your image before you decide it is complete

  • self-reflect and carefully evaluate what you can do better
  • Ask others for their opinions and document the suggestions whether you agree with them or not.
  • Refine or develop elements of the design that can be improved
  • Consider asking the Captain for a brief In-Progress Critique

 

     Design Process STAGE 7: Produce

8. Turn in the final .JPG and Print

  • Turn in final images
  • Include final photos AT TOP of project page
  • Finalize Project Page with full self-reflection
    • How could you improve? (skills, effort, planning, time management, craft, exploration, research)
    • successes
    • struggles
    • improvements
    • what you learned
  • Fill out self-evaluation  sheet

 

 

COMPLETE: You need a fully finished project page included all scanned sketchbook work with captions. Turn your your finished artwork to the Captain’s Server. Finally Paste the URL to your project page below and you may then click complete.

 

 

Great Work Design Agent.

Amazing work, Visitor.

Be Proud.

Go hang the finished piece on the Critique wall at the front of the classroom. Other’s need to see what you have accomplished.

BONUS Self Assessment Loot:

After completion of your project and project page documentation choose one of the appropriate self-assessments for yourself. Consider the skill, craftsmanship, originality, and composition of your final Product:

Over The Top Nailed It Good, But… At Least I Finished It