Laurence Cremetti
Well-Known Member
Cautiously, because I'm expecting bad news, but I must continue to improve! What's wrong here? (2 images).
Cautiously asking for a critique.
- Thread starter Laurence Cremetti
- Start date
Pete Askew
Admin
OK. For me the first one is framed a bit too tight and the lighting is a bit too flat. I think either a plain, curved background or graduated background (maybe through lighting) would be better. In the second one I find the orientation a little odd and I think I expect to see it rotated 90º. Again the framing is rather tight and it would be good to control the reflections in the lens of the loupe somehow.
Does that help at all? What are your thoughts?
Does that help at all? What are your thoughts?
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Hamish Gill
Tech Support (and Marketing)
For the first I'd maybe have tried to use niveas brand colours instead of black and white
Maybe thier Blue?
Are you working for Nivea? They will have brand guidelines that might be worth a read?
As for the loupe, as Pete says the angle is a bit strong and the crop doesn't quite sit with me ...
Also the choice of background doesnt quite sit well, the Morgan distracts a little bit for me...
Inwould go for just text and maybe try and knock some of it out of focus ... I'd probably use a page of a dictionary or newspaper with columned text and use the lines of the columns to draw the eye somehow ... Sort of like you have, but with narrower gaps between columns I think it would work better
Hope that helps ...
This is the critique section, so I have probably been a bit over picky, but that's what this section is about as far as I'm concerned
Maybe thier Blue?
Are you working for Nivea? They will have brand guidelines that might be worth a read?
As for the loupe, as Pete says the angle is a bit strong and the crop doesn't quite sit with me ...
Also the choice of background doesnt quite sit well, the Morgan distracts a little bit for me...
Inwould go for just text and maybe try and knock some of it out of focus ... I'd probably use a page of a dictionary or newspaper with columned text and use the lines of the columns to draw the eye somehow ... Sort of like you have, but with narrower gaps between columns I think it would work better
Hope that helps ...
This is the critique section, so I have probably been a bit over picky, but that's what this section is about as far as I'm concerned
Laurence Cremetti
Well-Known Member
Thanks guys! I'll be thinking about what you've said, and looking to improve the images further.
Not too picky, btw.... Keep it up!!! Thank you.
Not too picky, btw.... Keep it up!!! Thank you.
Chris Dodkin
West Coast Correspondent
Hey Laurence - give us some background then - what's the story on taking the product shots?
I've recently switched to using a light tent with variable coloured backdrops - very effective for products, with controlled even lighting, and controlled reflections.
Might be worth trying if you've never used one.
I've recently switched to using a light tent with variable coloured backdrops - very effective for products, with controlled even lighting, and controlled reflections.
Might be worth trying if you've never used one.
Laurence Cremetti
Well-Known Member
Hello folks, (Saturday 14th).
Thanks again for the input. Here's the story:
I do shoot products as part of my business, but always get asked for plain "on white" or "on black". I don't mind these at all, and sometimes I get asked to shoot white on white, or black against black, and that can be interesting. I'm still left with the creative "gap" though. Wouldn't it be nicer to shoot something more creative? Yes.....
So, with that in mind, I'm on a quest to produce a few suitable "advertising" style images for use in a new promotion of my services. These are not those images, but are steps in the process, steps which I'm looking for guidance on.
In a week, I'm off to do a big event miles away from home, so I'm doing this experiment in products now while I have time.
That's it really......
Can I throw in two more images, please?
Here they are:
Thanks again for the input. Here's the story:
I do shoot products as part of my business, but always get asked for plain "on white" or "on black". I don't mind these at all, and sometimes I get asked to shoot white on white, or black against black, and that can be interesting. I'm still left with the creative "gap" though. Wouldn't it be nicer to shoot something more creative? Yes.....
So, with that in mind, I'm on a quest to produce a few suitable "advertising" style images for use in a new promotion of my services. These are not those images, but are steps in the process, steps which I'm looking for guidance on.
In a week, I'm off to do a big event miles away from home, so I'm doing this experiment in products now while I have time.
That's it really......
Can I throw in two more images, please?
Here they are:
Glen Roberts
Well-Known Member
I'm not much of a one for giving out a bit of Critique so just ignore me if you want.
I like the one with the watch but it looks like it's been cropped a bit much at the bottom to me. Personally I would have had a bit more space at the bottom so you're not cutting a bit of the strap off in the lower right corner.
I like the one with the watch but it looks like it's been cropped a bit much at the bottom to me. Personally I would have had a bit more space at the bottom so you're not cutting a bit of the strap off in the lower right corner.
Laurence Cremetti
Well-Known Member
Thank you, Glen. Your input is appreciated.
To be honest, it is my own 20 year old watch. The strap is a tad grubby......
I seem to be suffering from the "not quite rights" at present, so any constructive comments are gratefully received.
To be honest, it is my own 20 year old watch. The strap is a tad grubby......
I seem to be suffering from the "not quite rights" at present, so any constructive comments are gratefully received.
Pete Askew
Admin
I know the feeling Laurence - sometimes things just refuse to go right!
I like these better but I still think they are framed too tight. Lighting these sort subjects is difficult isn't it? You either end up going for a shadowless effect from a light tent or similar or end up fighting with too many lights. I usually use a large softbox over and angled front to back but fairly close to the subject and then use simple card reflectors to add detail. Occasionally I will use a fibre optic to add a specific highlight. I nearly always use a curved card or paper base / background but these are for technical images where it needs to be plain and maybe provide some contrast. Maybe some OOF objects that are in context with the main subject might help (eg scarf or hat for the watch etc). What do you think?
I like these better but I still think they are framed too tight. Lighting these sort subjects is difficult isn't it? You either end up going for a shadowless effect from a light tent or similar or end up fighting with too many lights. I usually use a large softbox over and angled front to back but fairly close to the subject and then use simple card reflectors to add detail. Occasionally I will use a fibre optic to add a specific highlight. I nearly always use a curved card or paper base / background but these are for technical images where it needs to be plain and maybe provide some contrast. Maybe some OOF objects that are in context with the main subject might help (eg scarf or hat for the watch etc). What do you think?
Laurence Cremetti
Well-Known Member
Chris and Pete. I do own a couple of light tents, but never like the results if I'm photographing something reflective.
I know that seems counter intuitive, but it's just me being perverse I expect!
I've narrowed down the problem now, to a very basic level. It's this: What was I intending??? I don't know, really. No wonder I always get surprised when I have a job come in with specific requirements.... It's easier than trying to photograph some vague idea of "advertising images!"
Ah well, never mind. I did actually re-shoot a few of the pics, and will post one or two soon. Expecting visitors now, and out working tomorrow, so it may be Monday.
Once again, THANK YOU for your input, folks. More horrendous c**k-ups to come!!!
I know that seems counter intuitive, but it's just me being perverse I expect!
I've narrowed down the problem now, to a very basic level. It's this: What was I intending??? I don't know, really. No wonder I always get surprised when I have a job come in with specific requirements.... It's easier than trying to photograph some vague idea of "advertising images!"
Ah well, never mind. I did actually re-shoot a few of the pics, and will post one or two soon. Expecting visitors now, and out working tomorrow, so it may be Monday.
Once again, THANK YOU for your input, folks. More horrendous c**k-ups to come!!!
