We’re blessed with a rather unique vantage point for viewing the photography industry on a photo magazine, and as such are often asked which genres we believe to be the most challenging. This is a highly subjective topic but the expected answers are likely wildlife photography, sports imaging or any assignment which requires us to shoot in challenging environments. It might come as a surprise therefore that we often cite professional product photography as somewhere near the top of the list.
The parameters for such an assessment are tricky to define, but for the variety of lighting styles required, exposure expertise and overall technical and practical challenges, product imaging at the high end is nothing short of art. It is for this reason that it is a perfect genre in which to sharpen your general photography skills. Problem-solving, set design and software craft all come into play on a daily basis for a commercial product photographer, and these vital techniques can be applied in almost any area of a photo business.
For the purposes of this masterclass we have rounded up five of the most current styles seen in advertising and brand product imaging today. Importantly, most of these looks can be achieved using minimal equipment and without the use of a dedicated studio space.
After portraiture, product photography is one of the most accessible forms of paid work a new pro can undertake and it can develop into a lucrative commercial business. Happily, in many cases, it is also creatively satisfying and very fun!
Shoot high-key
Flood your shot with light for an airy, modern look
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 257-Ausgabe von Digital Photographer.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 257-Ausgabe von Digital Photographer.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Apply a stylised detail enhancement
Give your photos a movie aesthetic with the bleach bypass effect in Photoshop
Sony FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G
Matthew Richards investigates this lightweight wide-angle zoom lens with a unique focal range
Nikon Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR
This lens offers everything from wide-angle to super-telephoto reach, says Matthew Richards
Novo Helix T50 Carbon Fibre Tripod
Adam Waring discovers an unfeasibly small yet feature-packed travel tripod
OM System OM-1 Mark II
James Artaius finds the OM-1 Mark II has features that you wish your camera did
How do I get into events photography?
Jules Renahan, owner of Jules Renahan Photography and co-founder of PhotoHound, tells us what to expect when photographing events
Career advice
This issue, Claire Gillo looks at the logistics behind running a photography business and talks to an events photographer
My dream photo kit
With help from used camera gear specialists MPB, we've created an expert photographer's fantasy camera kitbag
Create wet plate portraits
Recreate the collodion process for enhanced detail
Fine-tune colour and saturation
Use Lightroom's extensive controls to enhance individual colours in your shots