"Professional Beginner" studio photography

[jmariemi]

I am a graphic designer for a small manufacturing company. We are currently expanding our product lines to be included in some big name stores like wal-mart, target, and costco. Our photography isn’t terrible, but it could use improvement to bring it up to a more professional level. I have taken photography classes, but mostly based on composition and how to use Photoshop, etc. But here I’m dealing a lot more with studio photography (and by that I mean indoor lighting for product and project shots). We have a large photography room, and currently our supplies include:

•Camera: Canon EOS 10D digital (original cost: $1,500 when we bought it 5 years ago .... current amazon price: $150)
•Lenses: Canon ultrasonic EF 100 mm f/2.8 macro USM
Canon zoom lens EF 28-200mm
•55” lightbox (with black and white backgrounds)
•2 250 watt halogen lights (This one here: Lowel Pro-light)
•2 800 watt halogen lights + a 500 watt lowel omni light (very similar to this kit here: GO Jet Set Kit)
•1 silver reflective umbrella with white on the back (same as the one in the link above)
•2 shoot-through umbrellas
•1 small light table (1.5’x1.5’)
•Black and white butcher paper rolls on the walls for backdrops
•2 plexiglass domes for jewelry

We mostly dabble in products such as: hair accessories, scrapbooking lines, tech bags, and jewelry.

I have been doing a lot of research online to learn more about studio photography and equipment, etc. but I am by no means whatsoever an expert, or even intermediate.

My question is, how do we get our photography up to the next level? My boss gave me a $2,500 budget to improve what we have. He’s interested in a new camera and some new lights, because we’ve been having problems with ours. (we’re running into the problem of things being very blurry, and the halogen lights make everything orange, and when your product shots are on a white background, it’s just a hassle to have to edit them every time to a truer color.) I was thinking that it would be a good move to invest in some soft boxes such as these ones: Amazon.com: Fancierstudio 2400 Watt Lighting Kit With Boom Arm Hairlight Softbox Lighting Kit By Fancierstudio 9004SB2: Electronics but at the same time, I’m not sure if we truly need them, or if I just need to become more skilled in studio photography.

I honestly don’t know if they will be better than the lights we have (I just feel like the halogen lamps put off a harsher light that isn’t very diffused...and it can also get really hot and claustrophobic to be in an enclosed room with them!) I’m not sure either if the problem with the camera not focusing well in most of our product shots is happening because: A. We’re all using the camera settings incorrectly or B. We are using insufficient lighting or C. Our lenses aren’t the right mm for the closeness of our shots (approximately 2 feet away) or D. The camera really just needs to be replaced because the technology is outdated (or cleaned somehow...I was using a longer aperture on some shots, and quite a few dust spots showed up).

My boss also offered to pay for me to take some studio photography classes at the local community college (which would maybe cost about $400 per class) but I don’t know how many I would need to take.

thanks for all your help!

[zona5101]

You have nice lighting gear. The problem isn't with the gear. Why don't you hire a professional to shoot for you rather than throw money at equipment that in the end won't solve your problem?
The whole "orange" background issue is prima facia that gear is not your limiting factor. Maybe classes - but how much time do you have to learn essentially what amounts to a new career?

[OsmosisStudios]

I'd be tempted to recommend moving away from continuous lights (as you have currently, and are looking at now). While theyre fine for product shots, but flash is just so much easier to deal with in the long run.

You're currently using 5 lights: that might be more than is necessary. Even with white backgrounds, the most you should need is 3, with maybe a reflector. I'd recommend going the simple route and simply getting a trio of "dumb" flashes (either shoe-mount or monos) and a set of very simple triggers. You could go to another one, if you have the budget.

As for cameras: the 10D is an older model. You're somewhat mistaken looking at it the way your are, financially. A $1500 electronic device is never going to hold it's value. thats just how it works. My $1400 investment only 4 years ago is now only worth about half that. If anything, keep the current body.

If you're looking for a good, cheap, but good performing model, you could do worse with a Canon T2i. Gives you a significant upgrade in resolution, but it's not quite as rugged. In a studio: not an issue.

IMPORTANTLY:

This all being said, are you sure it's the equipment that's the issue? "Blurry" images can come from just about anything. What exactly are we seeing in terms of problems? Can you show us examples (that aren't under an NDA, understandably)? It could very simply be a case of technique or application. Seeing examples can help steer you in the right direction.

This is further emphasized by the idea, from your post, that you're doing a lot of work to get things to where they should be at the time of capture (ie "a hassle to have to edit them every time to a truer color"). Thats elementary stuff that we may be able to help you with here that may make all the difference with no added expenses.

[moumou]

nice lighting gear. [IMG][/IMG]