My First Photo on DPS

[morfasie]

Hi everybody, I love all your comments and stuff! Great site!

Could you please tell me what you think about this shot?

Do you guys think I should increase the ligtning or maybe change the f-stop for the DOF?

This is my first advertisement type shots. Would you guys maybe have some tips for me?

EXIF
Filename: DSC_0860.jpg
Camera: Nikon
Model: D40x
ISO: 800
Exposure: 1/640 sec
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 46mm
Flash Used: No
Latitude: n/a
Longitude: n/a

Thanks for all the remarks

[Japaslavian]

I would say your whites are a bit dull, so there's not much contrast in the shot. I'm curious as to what your light sources are for you to be shooting at ISO 800 and still slightly underexposing your highlights. Also the brownish coloration on the white above the label makes the product look kind of dirty.
Though I must say this is quite impressive for being your first commercial photography shot.

[sukanta]

ISO 800 is probably a heavy for my taste. But seem that your camera handle it well. But I can see you have room for smaller f value to compensate low light, it also pin point your focus on the subject of interest. Lighting is quite Ok for me but I feel that shot crying for a secondary object. Putting another out of focus object (may be kitchen utensil) may make this much appalling. But mate I am a newbee so use my feeling with a grain of salt.

[morfasie]

Originally Posted by Japaslavian

I would say your whites are a bit dull, so there's not much contrast in the shot. I'm curious as to what your light sources are for you to be shooting at ISO 800 and still slightly underexposing your highlights. Also the brownish coloration on the white above the label makes the product look kind of dirty.
Though I must say this is quite impressive for being your first commercial photography shot.

Thanks for the reply. It was very overcast and I didn't make use of the flash for this one. If you like, I can post the one where I used a flash, looks much different. Yes they wanted the label as is, so this bottle was used, because it had been used. I think I should definitely up the exposure a bit.

[Nicole]

Welcome to the forums

First, if you could resize your picture to under 600px on the longest side that would be great. I believe Picasa has an option for 500px, which still lets you link to the larger size .

As far as tips for your shot, if you're going for the advertisement look, I would probably decrease your ISO, and increase your shutter speed so you get a better exposed image with less noise. I'm not sure if your background was supposed to be white, but if it was, this can be a difficult shot because of the white lid and the clear container. In order to get a white background you risk overexposing the rest of your shot. So yep, I would say more lighting, lower ISO, and possibly a longer shutter speed and you'll be on your way.

[morfasie]

Originally Posted by sukanta

ISO 800 is probably a heavy for my taste. But seem that your camera handle it well. But I can see you have room for smaller f value to compensate low light, it also pin point your focus on the subject of interest. Lighting is quite Ok for me but I feel that shot crying for a secondary object. Putting another out of focus object (may be kitchen utensil) may make this much appalling. But mate I am a newbee so use my feeling with a grain of salt.

Thanks for reply, yes I would agree, something in the background giving it a more normal feel would definitely be on my list for the next. I should have maybe made use of a smaller ISO.

[morfasie]

Originally Posted by Nicole

Welcome to the forums

First, if you could resize your picture to under 600px on the longest side that would be great. I believe Picasa has an option for 500px, which still lets you link to the larger size .

As far as tips for your shot, if you're going for the advertisement look, I would probably decrease your ISO, and increase your shutter speed so you get a better exposed image with less noise. I'm not sure if your background was supposed to be white, but if it was, this can be a difficult shot because of the white lid and the clear container. In order to get a white background you risk overexposing the rest of your shot. So yep, I would say more lighting, lower ISO, and possibly a longer shutter speed and you'll be on your way.

Thanks Nicole, I would say you are on the spot. I agree totally. Will definitely try that and then post one with the new tips in place

[Japaslavian]

Originally Posted by morfasie

It was very overcast and I didn't make use of the flash for this one.

Ah, you're shooting with sunlight, that makes a lot more sense now.
If you decide to continue shooting commercial shots like this, there was a great link posted in this forum about a DIY light box that would be perfect for this kind of photography.
http://digital-photography-school.co...ve-light-tent/
When I was working under a commercial photographer we used, depending on the object, up to 7 or 8 powerful (and expensive) flash strobes, and when I made the light box, the results I got were nearly as professional looking.

[morfasie]

Originally Posted by Japaslavian

Ah, you're shooting with sunlight, that makes a lot more sense now.
If you decide to continue shooting commercial shots like this, there was a great link posted in this forum about a DIY light box that would be perfect for this kind of photography.
http://digital-photography-school.co...ve-light-tent/
When I was working under a commercial photographer we used, depending on the object, up to 7 or 8 powerful (and expensive) flash strobes, and when I made the light box, the results I got were nearly as professional looking.

Wow thanks Japaslavian. Will definitely look into that soft box

[wulf]

The background needs to be much whiter. The other thing about product shots is that the product is normally perfect. This one looks a bit old and used. Of course, you could be subverting the genre but otherwise it is worth taking time to "groom" your subject and get it looking its best.

Wulf