MICRO-PROJECT 1

FOOD — “Menu Refresh for a Neighborhood Café”

The Fiction

A local café is updating their website and Google profile. They need fresh images for:

• Website hero

• Social posts

• A seasonal promotion

You are delivering a 6-image set.

What to Shoot (6 images)

1. Hero Plate

   • One main dish (sandwich, salad, pastry plate, etc.)

   • Slight angle, shallow depth of field

   • Clean background

   • Designed to sit at top of homepage

2. Overhead Flat Lay

   • 2–3 items arranged intentionally

   • Negative space for text

   • Works as menu header or Instagram post

3. Detail / Texture

   • Crust, steam, drizzle, crumb, garnish

   • This shows technical control

4. Beverage Pairing

   • Coffee, iced drink, wine, etc.

   • Condensation or steam controlled

   • Highlights handled properly

5. Promo-Oriented Vertical

   • Cropped for IG story

   • Clean and bold

   • Could hold text like “Weekend Special”

6. Context Shot

   • Table edge, napkin, cutlery

   • Suggest environment without needing a location

Surfaces & Props

• One neutral surface (wood, matte tile, linen)

• One secondary accent surface

• Keep prop count low

• Nothing that screams “home kitchen”

Lighting Notes

• One key light (window or large soft source)

• One fill card

• One black card for shape

• No over-lighting

Consistency across all 6 images is key.

Deliverable Look

• Warm, inviting

• Clean white balance

• Realistic color

• No heavy color grading

MICRO-PROJECT 2

PRODUCT — “Launch Set for a Small Skincare Brand”

The Fiction

A local skincare maker is launching:

• A cleanser

• A serum

• A moisturizer

They need images for:

• Website product page

• Social

• Online marketplace listing

Deliver 8 images.

What to Shoot (8 images)

1. Clean Hero (White or Light Neutral)

   • Bottle centered

   • Label readable

   • Shadow control

   • E-commerce ready

2. Group Lineup

   • All 3 products together

   • Slight depth

   • Clean, premium

3. Detail Macro

   • Dropper texture

   • Cream texture

   • Surface highlight control

4. Ingredient Suggestion Shot

   • Minimal, not cliché

   • One ingredient reference (leaf, citrus, stone)

   • Not a Whole Foods explosion

5. Dark Dramatic Hero

   • Black or deep neutral

   • Controlled highlight on glass

   • Premium feel

6. Variant Image

   • Two bottles angled differently

   • Show dimension

7. Packaging Flat Lay

   • Box + product

   • Clean layout

   • Social-friendly

8. Vertical Crop

   • For story/reel cover

   • Designed with breathing room

Surfaces

• Matte tile

• Painted board

• Acrylic

• Keep color palette tight

Lighting Notes

• Edge highlights controlled

• Watch label glare

• One main light + reflector

• Consider strip light for edge separation

Deliverable Look

• Modern

• Premium

• Controlled

• No gimmicks

MICRO-PROJECT 3

BRAND / LIFESTYLE — “Boutique Product Weekend Campaign”

No models required.

The Fiction

A local boutique wants:

• Images for Instagram

• Banner for website

• Promo graphics for seasonal sale

Deliver 6–8 images.

Choose One Product Type

• Handmade jewelry

• Coffee beans + mug

• Notebook + pen set

• Candle brand

• Artisan chocolate

Keep it cohesive.

What to Shoot (7 images)

1. In-Use Suggestion

   • Jewelry on folded fabric

   • Mug near book

   • Candle beside plant

   • Implied lifestyle, not staged chaos

2. Wide With Negative Space

   • Designed for overlay text

   • Clean composition

3. Detail Shot

   • Texture of metal

   • Wax surface

   • Paper grain

4. Collection Shot

   • 3 products arranged intentionally

   • Structured, not cluttered

5. Seasonal Variation

   • Add subtle color cue (autumn cloth, holiday tone)

   • Not kitschy

6. Tight Crop

   • Social-ready square

7. Vertical Promotional

   • Designed for story format

Styling Rules

• 3-color maximum palette

• No random props

• Intentional spacing

• Keep it “believable”

Quick recap

The meeting focused on photography techniques and post-processing for commercial product shots. Don provided detailed guidance on lighting setups, particularly for shooting reflective surfaces like chrome bottles, and demonstrated how to use Photoshop and Lightroom to adjust exposure and contrast. The group discussed different website platforms (WordPress, Squarespace) and their pros/cons, with Don recommending Divi as a user-friendly WordPress option. Don shared portfolio-building techniques, emphasizing the importance of showing both light and dark versions of product shots on the same landing page. The session concluded with a technical discussion about shooting chromed products using a shift lens technique to minimize distortion.

Next steps

• All participants: Complete 5 shots for next week’s assignment – 3 in your main lane and 2 in your secondary lane
• Mac: Review Don’s comments on video as Mac won’t be present in next week’s session
• All participants: Meet 30 minutes earlier for next week’s session (new time: 6:30 Pacific/9:30 Eastern)
• Becky: Re-shoot the chrome bottle using the low camera angle technique demonstrated by Don
• All participants: Review the reading materials for the upcoming class

Summary

Website Platform Comparison Discussion

Don discussed website platforms, comparing WordPress and Squarespace. He explained that WordPress requires maintenance and updates, while Squarespace is easier but more expensive. Don recommended Divi as a user-friendly WordPress framework. The group agreed to move their next meeting 30 minutes earlier. Don advised on structuring websites for commercial work, suggesting a landing page format with clear copy, photographs, and a call to action. William added that while WordPress can be challenging, security has improved significantly in recent years.

Website Platforms and Portfolio Photography

Don discussed website platforms, explaining that Squarespace costs around $300 annually plus $250 for Acuity scheduling, while WordPress themes require coding knowledge and can be expensive. He advised against traditional WordPress themes and recommended Divi or Beaver Builder page builders at around $70-90 per year. Don assigned participants to create portfolio shots following daily prompts, emphasizing simple, clean images that can be taken at home with everyday items. He referenced Judy Doherty’s work as an example of professional photography that can be done at home without elaborate setups.

Efficient Photography Techniques

Don discussed the importance of simplicity and efficiency in photography, emphasizing the need for photographers to focus on creating a limited number of high-quality images rather than taking numerous shots. He encouraged participants to adopt a “mini-shoot” approach, aiming to complete a shoot within one to two hours, and shared techniques for creating diverse images with minimal props and setups. Don also highlighted the value of showcasing a range of shots, including close-ups, details, and contextual images, to demonstrate creativity and problem-solving skills to clients.

Photoshop Curves and Levels Tutorial

Don led a Photoshop tutorial session, emphasizing the importance of using curves and levels for adjusting digital images. He explained that curves are better for detailed adjustments, while levels are quicker for web use. Don also discussed the need for proper contrast and lighting, particularly when working with white objects against dark backgrounds. The group practiced various techniques, including using gradients and selecting objects for soft darkening. Don encouraged the participants to experiment with different settings, such as depth of field, and to ensure their images have a range of exposure settings for client needs.

Advanced Jewelry Photography Techniques

The group discussed photography techniques, focusing on depth of field, contrast adjustments, and the use of vignettes to enhance images. Patrick shared his setup using a plastic ceiling tile for lighting and textured backgrounds, while Don provided feedback on contrast and exposure adjustments. Mike presented jewelry photography, highlighting challenges with chains and tools like dental picks or chopsticks for precise manipulation. The team also discussed the importance of long tools for finesse and shared tips on creating clean, professional images suitable for jewelers and artisans.

Product Photography Lighting Techniques

Don and Mac discussed lighting techniques for product photography, focusing on using black cards to create contrast and enhance the appearance of items like bottles and cars. Don emphasized the importance of placing the horizon line appropriately to maintain the dynamic shape of objects and suggested using masks to smooth transitions. They also talked about a future photoshoot where Mac will capture creative shots of props in two weeks.

Vivesa Lighting and Format Discussion

Don reviewed a video and provided feedback on lighting techniques, suggesting the use of Vivesa for radial brightening and emphasizing the importance of precision in composition. Debra shared her experience using Vivesa for flower photography and discussed the benefits of shooting in different formats, including landscape, square, and cinematic. Don praised Debra’s attention to detail and encouraged others to consider the three main formats when shooting.

Photography Techniques and Feedback

Don provided feedback on several photography shots, focusing on lighting, background techniques, and composition. He advised Debra to use black cards for better contrast and to consider the space between objects in still life photography. Don also helped Becky understand how to handle reflections and glare in product shots, suggesting the use of black cards and a lens hood. Luciana shared her close-up plate shots, and Don encouraged her to explore different formats for her photography.

Reflective Photography and Post-Processing

The group discussed photography techniques, particularly for shooting reflective surfaces like chrome. Don demonstrated how to use black cards and specific lighting angles to capture reflections correctly. They also covered post-processing techniques in Photoshop, including using Levels and Curves to adjust exposure. The class reviewed assignments for the next session, which will focus on marketing the work through emails and websites. Don advised the group to study how professionals photograph products like watches to understand lighting techniques.