9 Replies Latest reply: May 29, 2011 5:48 AM by phyllisj9 RSS

    OT: Photographing print work

    phyllisj9 Community Member

      Okay this is off-topic, but here goes:

       

      I'm working on my portfolio (am actually taking a class in designing my portfolio for the Web). The instructor recommends using photographs of printed pieces rather than just the PDFs.  I've never tried photographing a brochure before.  Have any of you done that?  I'm wondering if I should get some sort of small light tent or something (?).  Any thoughts on this?  My camera's nothing great, but I might shoot outdoors to improve the lighting.

       

      Thanks, Phyllis

        • 1. Re: OT: Photographing print work
          Stix Hart Community Member

          We are designers who take product shots for our clients, and the one thing we've learnt is that lighting is key!  If you want good photos it's worth it to borrow a flash unit, or better still a decent soft box.  Outdoors is only good on an overcast day, if it's sunny you're better to take it indoors near a window, possibly with a sheet over the window.  Light tents are great.  The more control you have over your lighting (like a studio) the more repeatable and easy your shots get.

           

          I can't recommend high enough Scott Kelby's book here for persons like you (and me), it's simple, funny and brilliant.

           

          However as someone who has done both for selling printed product, placing your PDFs definitely has a part too.  In fact look at that product shot of the book I linked to, I wouldn't mind betting that they've taken a PDF or image of the cover and spine, put it in Photoshop, given it perspective and shading and used that!  And that's a book about photography!

          • 2. Re: OT: Photographing print work
            rob day Community Member
            The instructor recommends using photographs of printed pieces rather than just the PDFs

             

            I think he's right, but lighting can be difficult and time consuming—could be worth hiring a photographer. I just speant a fair amount of time shooting my print portfolio (www.zenodesign.com). Used two strobes—one bounced off the ceiling.

            • 3. Re: OT: Photographing print work
              phyllisj9 Community Member

              Thanks!

               

              Stix, I appreciate the link to the book and your thoughts on this.  And yeah, I think that might be a manipulated PDF rather than a photo.  I'd still make the PDFs part of the site whether I use photographs or not.  I'll check out the book.  I'm really not great at photography, so maybe that will help me.

               

              Rob, your portfolio is awesome!!!!!  That's a great example of why photographing the pieces is a good idea.  I love the way you've arranged them.  I might have to borrow some ideas from you.  :-)

               

              Thanks, Phyllis

              • 4. Re: OT: Photographing print work
                phyllisj9 Community Member

                I wonder if something like this Amazon product would work for photographing print pieces.  Not high-end (but I can't begin to afford anything that is):

                http://goo.gl/kgN4N

                 

                The lighting's not good in my apartment (I live in a basement apartment), and it sounds like outdoor photography might be hit-or-miss.

                 

                Thanks, Phyllis

                • 5. Re: OT: Photographing print work
                  P Spier CommunityMVP

                  I've never seen that particular kit, but I've seen some other low-end ones, and they weren't worth the money. You might want to take a look over at

                  www.bhphotovideo.com/ where they cater to pros, but have good pricing, and a very large selection.

                  • 6. Re: OT: Photographing print work
                    MT.Freelance Community Member

                    In addition to BHPhoto, you can see if there are photography lighing speciallists, such as Cowboy Studio (http://www.cowboystudio.com), in your area.

                     

                    If there is one local to you, ask about leasing.

                    • 7. Re: OT: Photographing print work
                      Stix Hart Community Member

                      While I agree with Peter about cheap stuff something is better than nothing, and that little tent is a step in the right direction.  The lights look next to useless though and the tripod flimsy.

                       

                      Two tips I learnt from that book:

                       

                      Always use a tripod when possible; it will make your photos sharper then they would have been without.

                       

                      Use a remote to fire it or set the camera to a 2 second delay, that will take out any shake from pushing the button.

                       

                      Those little tips alone made a huge difference to the quality of our shots.

                       

                      And yeah, Rob - your portfolio looks great!  I don't particularly like how your website resized my browser though! 

                      • 8. Re: OT: Photographing print work
                        rob day Community Member
                        I don't particularly like how your website resized my browser though! 

                         

                        I know—the web police are looking for me...

                        • 9. Re: OT: Photographing print work
                          phyllisj9 Community Member

                          Thanks for the input everyone, I really appreciate it.  I will let you know how it goes.  I'm going to try to get some FPO shots tomorrow to see

                          how I want the arrangements to look (I'll definitely use a tripod) and then I'll see about getting some lighting.  Rob, I'm going to study your portfolio again for arrangement ideas.  :-)   Leasing is an interesting option.  I'm also going to talk to one of my photographer friends about this, and see if perhaps I could come to his house and use his lighting.  It'd be good to have a long-term option though (at least if it looks like I'll be able to get anything I think will be usable) so will keep checking out light tents etc.  Will try to find a camera shop in my area and go talk to the folks there too.

                           

                          Thanks all,

                          Phyllis