Quick recap

The meeting was a class critique and discussion on product photography, led by Don with participants Debra, Trish, Luciana, and Morgane. They reviewed each other’s recent product shots, including Debra’s work on scissors and Olay cream, Luciana’s images of a luxury-looking toilet paper set, Trish’s old pastry cutter, and Morgane’s cream jars on various surfaces. Don demonstrated retouching techniques in Photoshop, Lightroom, and Camera Raw, focusing on gradients, masking, and enhancing highlights and textures. The group discussed lighting setups, the use of Fresnel lights, and challenges with reflective surfaces and keeping horizons level. Don introduced the next assignment: making cheap sunglasses look luxurious, showing examples of high-end sunglass ads and discussing creative lighting, props, and set building. They also talked briefly about stop motion pours, video work, and Don’s upcoming trip and plans to bring in guest Jennifer Schuetz for a future class.

Next steps

Don

• Contact Jennifer Schuetz to invite her as a guest for the motion class to discuss stop motion pours.

Morgane

• Reshoot the creams on the white blocks, ensuring the jars are level and properly aligned for readability.
• Brighten the glass in the image with the painting background to make it more distinct.

Trish

• Reshoot the pastry cutter image to ensure the wire is visible on the left side, using a fill card for a highlight.

Collaboration

• All participants: Complete the next assignment by photographing a pair of $2 sunglasses to make them look like they’re worth $500, submitting three shots that include a hero shot, texture shot, and a shot that tells a premium story.

Summary

Photography Workflow and Techniques

The group discussed technical issues with uploading images to a shared gallery, with Don requesting that members upload their photos by noon so he could process them in the afternoon. Debra presented her photography work featuring scissors and Olay products, demonstrating her experimental approach with different backgrounds and lighting techniques. Don provided real-time feedback and demonstrated post-processing techniques using Photoshop tools like radial gradients and masking, showing how to enhance the background lighting effects in Debra’s images.

Product Photography Techniques Discussion

Luciana presented her product photography work featuring a bronze-looking product on silk, demonstrating her focus stacking technique and use of Fresnel lights with barn doors for precise lighting control. She explained her lighting setup using two Fresnel lights and a Godox SL60 to highlight the product label, while choosing a Japanese non-reflective black material for the background. Don approved Luciana’s work for use on her website and provided historical context about focus stacking techniques, while Debra inquired about the advantages of using Fresnel lights, which Luciana explained were suitable for product photography due to their adjustable white balance and barn doors for focused lighting.

Photographing Pastry Cutter Techniques

The team discussed issues with photographing an old pastry cutter, with Don providing feedback on the wire visibility in the image. Don suggested adding a small fill card to better show the wire curve and reflection in that area. The group also shared experiences about cleaning and handling acrylic/perspex surfaces, with Don recommending thin gloves from Nursing Supply and Debra suggesting rubbing alcohol on microfiber cloth as the best cleaning method. Trish advised against using Clorox wipes on acrylic surfaces, as they can leave streaks.

Product Photography Feedback Session

Don reviewed product photography shots with Morgane, focusing on horizon lines and product positioning issues. He advised adjusting the camera angle to better showcase the jars and suggested using beeswax instead of museum wax for leveling products. Don also recommended adding a card for better highlighting and keeping whites bright, while Trish suggested moving the background further from the table edge to improve horizon lines in future shots.

Product Transformation Techniques Training

Don demonstrated techniques for creating object masks and discussed the quality of Morgane’s photography work, particularly praising the surface texture and patina effects achieved with a vinyl background from West Coast Backgrounds. The team received their next assignment to transform inexpensive sunglasses from under $5 into luxury items worth $500, with Don emphasizing the importance of demonstrating skill in elevating pedestrian products to appear high-end through proper lighting, casting, and props. Don referenced previous projects including a 4-plug outlet extender from Project 52 as an example of transforming ordinary items into desirable products.

Product Photography Techniques for Sunglasses

Don explained techniques for creating product photography shots with sunglasses, including using wire suspension systems and boom setups made from paint cans. The group discussed building a set that looks luxury rather than drugstore-quality, with Don suggesting textured cardboard from art stores as an affordable option. Don clarified that while there are five different approaches described, students only need to complete three shots for the assignment, with the fifth approach being more advanced post-production work.

Photographing Premium Sunglasses Strategy

Don led a discussion about photographing premium sunglasses, emphasizing the challenge of telling a premium story without over-selling the product, and shared examples of luxury brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton using outdoor settings to imply elegance. The group discussed how luxury products are often manufactured in the same facilities but differ in packaging and presentation. Don confirmed the class will continue next week after his return from a trip on Saturday, and he committed to inviting Jennifer Schuetz as a guest to demonstrate stop motion techniques, particularly pour shots, which Debra had been seeking to learn.