My step-by-step process of Product Photography this month!
1) Buy a new Canon camera
Although Nikon cameras are known to be better for beginners due to the fact that their settings and terminology are easier to understand, I went with the Canon. Not only is it a great camera for photography but the video capacity is awesome too. My Canon camera has a mic input and flip screen which is so important for a YouTuber like me. Plus, people I work with use Canon so in the long run, it will be easier to match up film/photo footage later on.
I can't even tell you the number of times I have turned the camera on and been puzzled as to why there was no picture on the screen, to then realise, I'd left the lens cap on lol!!! It's a good job it comes with a strap too as I have almost dropped the camera several times! Although this camera is pretty straightforward, for a novice like me, it's a little overwhelming. Hello, YouTube tutorials...
4) Review Photos
Even though I figured the photos from my first test shoot were probably not good enough, I decided to transfer them onto my laptop for further viewing. I was so focused on the lighting that I wasn't paying close enough attention to the structure of the photo and so quite a few pictures from this series were not straight or out of alignment. Sooooooo many things to be considered in a single photo! However, I have to say, I was quite pleased with my first set of photos and the progress I was making. I was ready to set up another shoot.
5) Shoot Two
This time I set up my display on a table which meant I could position my Soft Boxes exactly where I wanted them to be, use my tripod and sit on a stool! Ahhhhhh, this is how 'they' do it...
6) Victory
At last, I am getting the hang of using the Canon camera, taking some decent photos and rather enjoying myself. My mission was to not only take good clear photos but to create lovely scenes and experiment with different angles and layouts. Get creative and have fun. That is so important when you are trying to do something that is challenging. At the end of the day, you've got to be having fun.
My conclusion
Yes, it's important to learn as much as possible about product photography if you are going to do it yourself but at the end of the day, nothing beats experience. It can be difficult to follow what you may have learned online as everyone's set-up, lights, space etc is different. Make a start, even if you're not ready to and just do it. I haven't learned everything about the Canon camera but it has been a fun experience being thrown in, somewhat at the deep end!
I hope you have enjoyed my report on this month's activities. Next month, I switch my attention back to Storytime and I have something special for your little ones coming up...
Watch this space!
Anna Christina
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