Digital Photography and Imaging

Week 07 (05/11/2025)

PHANG QI YU / 0385732

GROUP 2

Digital Photography and Imaging / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media / Taylors University

Table of Content

1. Lecture

2. Tutorial

3. Instructions

4. Practical

LECTURE

PRODUCT & STUDIO PHOTOSHOOT

How to take product photoshoot?

Step 1: Choosing the right equipment

Camera (DSLRs or mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses)
Smartphones. Modern smartphones often have multiple lenses, manual mode, and the ability to shoot in RAW format, giving more flexibility in post-processing.

Step 2: Tripod and Mounts

Tripod is essential for keeping camera stable and eliminating camera shake, especially when shooting with slower shutter speeds or in low light conditions.
For smartphone photography, consider using a smartphone tripod mount or a small tabletop tripod.

Step 3: Lightning Essentials

Proper lightning is key to creating visually appealing product photos.
Continuous lighting solution, such as LED panels or soft boxes, provide a constant light source that allows you to see how the light falls on your product in real-time.

Step 4: Preparing the scene

Select appropriate backgrounds. setting up light sources strategically and arranging the product to showcase its best features.

Step 5: Selecting Backgrounds

Use a background that complements the background without overpowering it.
Neutral colors (white, grey or light pastels) work well for most products.
Ensure the background provides enough contrast to make the product stand out. Avoid backgrounds that are too busy or have patterns that may distract from the product.
Using different textures and materials like wood, fabric or marble to add visual interest and context to your product photos.

Step 6: Setting Up Light Sources

Proper lighting is key to archive high-quality product photos.

Follow these guidelines when setting up your light sources:

Natural light is a great option for product photography. Set up your shoot near a large window to take advantage of soft, diffused light. Use a white foam board or reflector to bounce light and fill in shadows if needed.
If using artificial lightning, position your main light source at a 45-degree angle to the product. Use a second light source or reflector to fill in shadows on the opposite side.
Experiment with different lighting setups to find what works best for your specific product. Adjust the distance and angle of your lights to achieve the desired effect.

Step 7: Arranging the Product

Tips when arranging your product for the shoot:

Place the product in the center of your background, ensuring it is well-lit and in focus. If showcasing multiple products, arrange them in a visually appealing manner.
Use odd numbers and vary the heights and angles of the products to create a dynamic composition.
Pay attention to small details (alignment, spacing, and cleanliness of the product.)

Photo Shooting Techniques

1. Using a Tripod

A sturdy tripod is essential for keeping your camera stable and eliminating camera shake.
Allows you to maintain consistency in your shots and ensure sharp, clear images.
Tripods also free up your hands, making it easier to adjust products or make subtle changes to the composition without disturbing the camera's position.

Screenshot 2025-09-19 at 11.39.12 PM.png

Figure 1 Tripod

2. Finding the Right Angles

Must-know angles for product photography:

Eye-level shots: Shooting straight-on at the product's level, creating a sense of familiarity and realism.
45-degree angle: Also known as the three-quarter view, this angle shows multiple sides of the product in a single shot, providing depth and dimension.
Top-down or flat lay: Capturing the product from directly above works well for showcasing multiple items or creating visually appealing compositions.
Close-ups and macro shots: Zooming in on specific details or features of your product can help highlight its unique qualities and craftsmanship.

Figure 2 Types of camera angles

Figure 3 Types of camera angles

TUTORIAL

In this week's tutorial, Mr. Fauzi explained several photo-shooting techniques and emphasized that lighting is the most important aspect. I discussed my idea with him; he mentioned that the concept involving the corgi and bread is interesting! However, he pointed out that it might be difficult to photograph since my dog would likely keep moving around. Therefore, I decided to choose perfume and orange as the final theme for my project.

We are encouraged to explore different photo-shooting setups on our own, and in a few weeks, we'll have the opportunity to work in the studio to try out more professional photography techniques.

Mr. Fauzi also uploaded videos in Google Classroom about the proper use of equipment, lighting, and spaces.

Video 1: Creative Product Photography at Home (YouTube)

Video 2: Shooting a bottle with one continuous light and a smartphone (YouTube)

INSTRUCTIONS

MIB_GCD61204_DIGITAL_PHOTOGRAPHY_AND_IMAGING_0925.pdf

PRACTICAL

PROJECT 2B: CONCEPTUAL PHOTO MANIPULATION

Category: Photoshoot Manipulation

I decided to go with the idea of perfume and orange. (Week 06 Sketch #2)

Before shooting my main objects, the perfume and orange, I decided to test and experiment with perfume photography first.

The following are various photoshoot angles, perfume arrangements, and lighting setups I experimented with using my Canon G7X Digital Camera and iPhone 15 Pro Smartphone Camera.

Preparation before photography:

Figure 4 Photography props

My setups:

Figure 5 Setups

Photography with Canon G7X Digital Camera:

#1 Close-up angle shot under yellow lighting (with camera flash)

Figure 6

Close-up angle shot under yellow lighting (landscape)

#2 Eye-level angle shot under yellow lighting (with camera flash)

Figure 7

Eye-level angle shot under yellow lighting (portrait)

#3 Eye-level angle shot using natural light (without camera flash)

Figure 8 Eye-level angle (landscape)

#4 Overhead angle/ Bird's eye view under yellow lighting (with camera flash)

Figure 9 Overhead angle under yellow light (landscape)

#5 High-angle shot under yellow lighting (with camera flash)

Figure 10 High-angle shot under yellow lighting (landscape)

Below are more angles and different product placements I experimented with using a Canon G7X digital camera (with camera flash):

Figure 11 Products with different photoshoot angles (landscape)

Photography with iPhone 15 Pro Smartphone Camera:

#1 High-angle shot using natural light (without camera flash)

Figure 12 High angle shot (portrait)

#2 Flat lay angle shot using natural light (without camera flash)

Figure 13 Flat lay angle shot (portrait)

#3 Slight high angle shot under yellow lighting (without camera flash)

Figure 14

Slight high angle shot under yellow lighting (portrait)

For the slight high angle shot, I decided to include my hand as if I were holding the perfume. I felt the composition looked a bit empty, so I added my hand to enhance the visual effect and make the image appear more luxurious and comfortable to view. I guess... HAHA ^^