Product Shoot, how to shoot?

[Snowywolf]

how to do a product shot of musical instruments, i.e. guitars, violins, bows, etc.. using only k10d and a flash?

please advice.

i'm doing a favour for a friend and hope to do a good job for him to assist him to start out on his business. (not a paid assignment, out of good will)

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by Snowywolf how to do a product shot of musical instruments, i.e. guitars, violins, bows, etc.. using only k10d and a flash? please advice. i'm doing a favour for a friend and hope to do a good job for him to assist him to start out on his business. (not a paid assignment, out of good will)

For a product like guitar, you'd better not use a flash. The surface of a guitar is too smooth and reflective, you'd end up with a not-so-good product shots with too much reflection .

I'd play with the environment lighting, and see if I can get an interesting light condition (e.g., very dark or totally black background but enough light on the guitar). Of course a tripod is strongly suggested for this. So even the light is quite dark, you still can get some interesting and good product shots

[baolong]

use a 6500K lamp lighting for more natural color.....

[creampuff]

Used to do lots of still life and product shots in the past.
Here's a summary of how I set up a still life shot.

1) Look and examine the object or objects to find a distinctive quality about it (eg. shape of the musical instrument, colour, texture, etc.). Decide what would work in terms of camera angle, focal length and lighting and the kind of background or props that will help to make the object to be photographed stand out.
2) Set up props to go with object. Select background or setting.
3) Make initial informal arrangement with emphasis on main subject
4) Play around with lighting combinations
5) Position camera
6) Finalise composition
7) Final adjustments to camera angle
8) Final lighting adjustments

You need to be clear on what you want to achieve as a product shoot can mean many things. Like fengwei pointed out, the shiny lacquer of the guitar and some other instruments could pose some problems (hot spots/specular reflections). You could use a light tent/softbox/umbrella to get wide diffused lighting.

If you're just using 1 flash unit, using it on-camera won't give you great results. Alternatively, shoot by a window and use your flash or a reflector as fill. Using a tripod is essential to get optimum sharpness.

baolong, no need to use 6500K lamp. Can shoot in RAW and tweak WB during post-processing.

[longko]

Your product shoot will be used as online sales/auctions (where your product must show everything as is) or to be displayed in shops to attract customer (where your shots have to be creative)?

In any case, I can short loan my cheapo Falcon Eyes 2x strobes to u.

[Snowywolf]

i you guys!!

keep the ideas flowing dudes..

the shoot is on wednesday..
i still have 2 full days to try (given the time constraint) , i hope to do a good job.

-beams-

need i say more, i <3 you all!

[Dream Merchant]

Snowywolf,

There are lots of ways to address the problems usually associated with shiny/intricately detailed objects - the main two are:

1) Light and

2) Reflective surfaces

Some other member have given good suggestions.

I would just add: look at various websites to see how manufacturers are presenting similar instruments.

What you did not tell us (the most important bit actually) is HOW the photos are going to be used, and how it is supposed to be laid out? E.g, Clean etched out product shot? Cropped artistic shots? Environmental/mood shots with people using the instruments? Any tesxt withing the image area? High-key? Low-key? Etc Etc Etc.

That alone would determine the entire approach of how to light and shoot the instruments. Basically: What the end result of the photos are supposed to look like. For ease of communications, we usually refer to this as 'the concept' and 'layout', or 'art direction', even though those terms mean entirely different things.

I suggest you discuss this with your friend, and get a crystal clear set of art and layout directions before planning how to do it. Have you heard the lyrics that go: You can't get what you want till you know what you want?

And, for the most part, 2 strobes and lots of white AND black coloured boards/reflectors/little bits to block out light can do wonders with musical instruments with a tight budget! For simple backgrounds of clean product shots, nothing beats satin and silk.

When and where is your shoot? If you manage to get clear art directions, I may be able to pop by and help (depending on schedules), if you like.