NIKE Sneakers : My First Indoor DIY 'Studio' Trial

[Lingkm82]

Hi all,
I need some C&C since this is my first time doing a product shooting indoor...
Just bought the sneakers & about to wear it during X'mas...
This was shot on a green cloth with one slave flash on the left (using transmitter) & a DIY reflector on the right (since I had only one flash),

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lingkm82/2017428223/

Setting :
100mm, F/18, 1/60Sec (Manual mode) with one flash.

I need some opinions in some aspects:

1) Is the lighting considered sufficient?
2) Will dual flash on left and right helps to eliminated all shadows?
3) Should I be using even smaller aperture or larger?
4) Anything not right with the whole composition?
5) Beside adjusting contrast & brightness, what else should I do for post processing in PS?
6) Anything else for further improvement?

Really need all you experts in CS to guide me...Thankx...

[calebk]

Originally Posted by Lingkm82 Hi all, I need some C&C since this is my first time doing a product shooting indoor... Just bought the sneakers & about to wear it during X'mas... This was shot on a green cloth with one slave flash on the left (using transmitter) & a DIY reflector on the right (since I had only one flash), http://www.flickr.com/photos/lingkm82/2017428223/ Setting : 100mm, F/18, 1/60Sec (Manual mode) with one flash. I need some opinions in some aspects: 1) Is the lighting considered sufficient? 2) Will dual flash on left and right helps to eliminated all shadows? 3) Should I be using even smaller aperture or larger? 4) Anything not right with the whole composition? 5) Beside adjusting contrast & brightness, what else should I do for post processing in PS? 6) Anything else for further improvement? Really need all you experts in CS to guide me...Thankx...

Is there a reason why you used a green cloth? IIRC for most product shots the background will be cut to white when the pics are delivered.

[Izzy]

Could u show a picture of your set up? interested to see for my own set up

[Raied]

i dont think u can eliminate shadows but just reduce it with a secondary light. it looks good to me, and yes the green cloth doesnt go in the shot, maybe another colour? white is the safest

[Raied]

and would be nicer if u could pop the flap out a weenie bit more so the NIKE sign is more prominent, but that's just me

[kezumix]

i like the green.. Looks retro and vintage with tat shoe colourway...

[catchlights]

green is the complimentary color of red, it looks nice here.

[ndroo]

Originally Posted by catchlights green is the complimentary color of red, it looks nice here.

Same thoughts here

[scrappy]

Originally Posted by ndroo Same thoughts here

Double ditto, I quite like the green actually. Plus very easy to PS a different background if you so wish.

[catchlights]

Originally Posted by ndroo Same thoughts here

Originally Posted by scrappy Double ditto, I quite like the green actually. Plus very easy to PS a different background if you so wish.

colored background prefer to use at it is, if you would noticed, there is a little green cast at the shadow areas, need to clean it up if change the background color.

[Lingkm82]

Sorry for the late reply....
I chose green as background just to create a funky look since the subject is a retro design sneahers (similar to AF-1 '82)...Then it has the contrast with the red colour shoe....
First I thought of using black colour but since I am trying to minimize the shadow using different lighting position...I would be easier to 'track' if there is any mistakes in my lighting position....
As for using white colour...I think it would be a bit plain since the should already got a lot of white colour area...but I will give it a thought next time

As for the flap, I'd tried to push it upward so the NIKE sign is more prominent but it end up dropping inside...I even stuffed more tissue inside the show already...that's the best I can do since the shoe is still new...

As for the set up (someone asking for a pic, but i dun think i am alloed to post it here - thread's rules), I will try to explain...I use a 430EX on the left of the camera (heading 45 deg upward n 45 deg towards the subject) then on the right, I place a big DIY reflector to bounce the light from left & illuminating the subject's right)...BTW, my room ceiling is quite low, so I think that should be OK to use light bounced from the ceiling...

Thx for some of the comments, compliments & critics as well.....

But did the shadow still considered OK in this pic? Too much of too less?

[Lingkm82]

Too many typo error...sorry....

Originally Posted by Lingkm82 Sorry for the late reply.... I chose green as background just to create a funky look since the subject is a retro design sneakers (similar to AF-1 '82)...Then it has the contrast with the red colour shoe.... First I thought of using black colour but since I am trying to minimize the shadow using different lighting position...I would be easier to 'track' if there is any mistakes in my lighting position.... As for using white colour...I think it would be a bit plain since the shoe already got a lot of white colour area...but I will give it a thought next time As for the flap, I'd tried to push it upward so the NIKE sign is more prominent but it end up dropping inside...I even stuffed more tissue inside the shoe already...that's the best I can do since the shoe is still new... As for the set up (someone asking for a pic, but i dun think i am allowed to post it here - thread's rules), I will try to explain...I use a 430EX on the left of the camera (heading 45 deg upward n 45 deg towards the subject) then on the right, I place a big DIY reflector to bounce the light from left & illuminating the subject's right)...BTW, my room ceiling is quite low, so I think that should be OK to use light bounced from the ceiling... Thx for some of the comments, compliments & critics as well..... But did the shadow still considered OK in this pic? Too much of too less?

[artofshuenalogy]

Well lit subject. The green bg really makes the shoe stand out. Great job.

[Lingkm82]

Originally Posted by artofshuenalogy Well lit subject. The green bg really makes the shoe stand out. Great job.

Thanks bro...

[Youhong]

It looks good to me...

[scenar]

I like it... yea, the green's fine with me

[Red Bottle]

I am very new to this hobby. To me, the subject is very outstanding. Who knows this can earn you a place at Nike studion one day..